Yahoo: Assad predicts disaster if West meddles in Syria

[visionary]

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/21/wo...html?hpt=wo_c2

Russia says it's ready to support Annan's efforts in Syria

Even Russia -- which has vetoed draft resolutions condemning the al-Assad's regime -- has signaled it's on board with Annan's efforts.

"We are ready to support Kofi Annan's mission and proposals that he has passed to the Syrian side in the U.N. Security Council as a resolution, not even as a statement," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday, according to Russia's state RIA Novosti news agency. "Obviously, those proposals should first be published."

But Lavrov said a security council approval of Annan's mission should not be "an ultimatum," RIA Novosti said.

Even with a presidential statement, it's unclear what kind of impact the efforts would have on quelling the daily carnage in Syria.

On Wednesday, the devastated city of Homs -- once an opposition stronghold -- took another beating by regime forces, opposition activists said.

"Bombing (in) Khaldiya neighborhood continued on Wednesday morning, as many homes have been shelled so far," said an activist identified as Abu Mousab.

Abu Mousab said the Khaldiya neighborhood hosts hundreds families that fled destroyed districts in Homs, such as Baba Amr, Karm al Zaytoun, Bab Sbaa and Jib Jandali.

Shelling of a historic castle in Hama
[YOUTUBE]CvzJENfV2vI[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]Q9zRalCZ5Tk[/YOUTUBE]

[visionary]

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

Tanks present at most roundabouts in Hama 21/03 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N_rHbRvEFI
1:07 PM

Hamidiyeh still under shelling attacks and the regime is still making it hard for civilians to flee http://bit.ly/GCXJQc
1:10 PM

Tanks position at Alhadeed bridge and at the eastern entrance of Hamidiyeh -still under siege along with shelling http://bit.ly/GCXVPJ

Smoke rises above Hamidiyeh in Hama http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB9vGxKa6g0

Destruction in the neighborhood of Hamidiyeh due to constant shelling Hama http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60igysSfHYU

Hama Strike in Almarabet Street http://bit.ly/GF0CF9 Strike in Souq Altawil and Souq Alsagha
http://bit.ly/GE4FB6
1:25 PM

80 people were killed today in Syra.
I would post more details, but don't have time right now.
I've been able to keep up with events at times but not post anything much lately.
I'll see if I can update things more when I get back from dinner tonight.
(I'm on vacation down South right now)

[visionary]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/22/wo...er=rss&emc=rss

Fighting Returns to Areas Syria Had Declared Secure

The Syrian military’s widening struggle against insurgents, even in places it had declared secure, again flared into deadly violence on Wednesday, as forces carried out a daylong bombardment in the city of Homs and deployed tanks and helicopters to rout rebels in clashes just outside the capital, antigovernment activists reported.

The activists said that more than two dozen people were killed just in Homs, many as they fled, and that more and more Sunni Muslim families were vacating the city as pro-government gangs called shabiha attacked them.

In the northeastern Damascus suburbs of Harasta and Irbin, activists said, army helicopters and artillery fired on defectors who had attacked forces there. The government said two months ago that it had reclaimed those suburbs from rebel hands.

Shooting was also reported in Sayyida Zeinab, a southeastern neighborhood that is home to an important Shiite shrine, and in Kfar Souseh, just southwest of downtown, activists boldly unfurled a flag of the Syrian revolution about 60 feet long that dangled from a half-built high-rise.

An activist reached by Skype said that rebel attacks on an air force facility in Harasta had become very regular, with defectors shooting or lobbing grenades and government forces retaliating — a pattern developing across Syria as the uprising takes on more of the character of an insurgency.

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

9 hours 45 min ago

European Union states are set to ban Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's wife Asma from travel to and shopping in the EU, diplomats said, cranking up pressure on his government to end a bloody crackdown on popular unrest.

They should have sanctioned her half a year ago or more.
Or at least threatened to.

7 hours 6 min ago

Several Syrian shells landed in the Lebanese border village of al-Qaa and nearby fields on Wednesday evening, injuring one person, after heavy artillery was heard on the Syrian side of the frontier, residents said.

"More than five shells landed in the fields and in the village," a farmer in al-Qaa told Reuters. Another resident said one shell had detonated next to the main school.

How can Lebanon allow them to do that?


http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/21/world/...ils/index.html

Flirtatious e-mails fill al-Assad's inbox

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

7 hours ago
Local Coordination Committees in Syria

The number of martyrs in Syria has risen to 84 including 14 children and 7 women. In Homs city, there were 45 martyrs, 11 in Hama, 6 in Daraa, 9 in Idlib including one family from Kasanfra town),7 in Deir Ezzor and one martyr in each of Raqqa,Lattakia, Damascus Suburbs (Moudamieh) and a defected recruit form the Occupied Golan who was martyred in Hama.

[twa]

How is Lebanon gonna stop it?
They can't even control their own.

[visionary]

How is Lebanon gonna stop it?
They can't even control their own.

I'm not expecting them to fight back, but the government could at least act like they give a **** about their people.



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

8 hours 14 min ago

Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General, said the council had sent a clear message to Syria to end all violence, which has taken more than 8,000 civilian lives, and for a dialogue to start between the country's government and the opposition.

"In clear and unmistakable terms, the Security Council called for an immediate end to all violence and human rights violations," Ban said. "It demanded secure humanitarian access and a comprehensive political dialogue between the government and the whole spectrum of the Syrian opposition."

Unfortunately it didn't actually DO anything at all, other than make a statement.

3 hours 51 min ago

Syrian tanks shelled a large neighbourhood in the city of Hama on Thursday following clashes between Free Syrian Army rebels and forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, opposition sources said.

The shelling destroyed houses and left an unknown number of casualties in the Arbaeen neighborhood in the northeast of the city, which has been at the forefront of the year-long popular revolt against Assad, they said. Opposition sources added that at least 13 people have been killed in an army bombardment on the city and its countryside in the last two days.

1 hour 2 min ago
Syria's main opposition group on Thursday said a UN statement calling for all parties to end violence in Syria will simply give the regime more time to continue killing its own people.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/22/world/...html?hpt=wo_c2

Syrian attacks continue despite U.N. condemnation

Shelling in the besieged Syrian city of Hama continued early Thursday, a day after the United Nations Security Council called for the regime to end the bloodshed.

A number of civilians were wounded and buildings collapsed during the attack by Syrian security forces, according to the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria (LCC).

Across the country, at least 14 people were killed, including a child, the LCC said. Two people were killed through torture, the group said.

The deaths included five in Homs, three in Idlib, three in Daraa, two in Damascus suburbs, and one in Hama, the LCC said.

Some of the dead included defected soldiers who refused to shoot at civilians, the LCC said.

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

40 dead in Syria today including 8 children and 3 women. 18 in Idlib, 8 in Homs, 7 in Hama. Syria (Via LCC)
8:32 AM

Regime forces are looting homes and shops in Bab Sbaa after storming part of the neighbourhood. Homs
8:45 AM

[visionary]

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

My latest with shocking revelations on Clinton's meeting with Davutoglu last month | US tells Turkey to back off Syria. http://bit.ly/GIInLT
10:58 AM

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

Turkey calls for action not words on Syria -new Davutoglu statements confirm @acrossthebay s article on nowlebanon http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Mid...#ixzz1pqpCmskd
11:52 AM

http://nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=378866

According to well-informed Turkish and US sources, during his meeting with Secretary Clinton, Davutoğlu put forward a set of measures, including, among others, creating a buffer zone and/or a humanitarian corridor, as well as organizing and equipping the Free Syrian Army (FSA).

The secretary of state responded in no uncertain terms that the Obama administration had no interest in pursuing any of these options. In fact, according to one account, Clinton told her Turkish counterpart no less than three times, “We are not there.”

This conversation fits well with the administration’s message to other regional allies, namely Saudi Arabia, against arming the FSA and pushing Washington’s preferred policy of going through the Russians, in an attempt to reach a “political solution” to the Syrian crisis.

There were hints of Davutoğlu’s agenda on the eve of his meeting with Clinton, along with some speculation about Turkish-US consultation regarding the creation of a safe zone in northern Syria. The idea was that Turkey was prepared to move in this direction following the failure to reach an agreement with Moscow, especially as this resulted in the Assad regime escalating its violence. The brutalization of Homs in February may have also finally pushed the Turks into action.

Apparently, the Turks, much like the Saudis, were looking to the first Friends of Syria meeting in Tunis as a possible forum to bypass the Russians and begin a more muscular effort, with US backing. The Saudis found out at the meeting that no such action was forthcoming, and withdrew in frustration, while publicly voicing their preference for arming the Syrian rebels.

The Turks got their answer from Secretary Clinton well before the Tunis gathering, and, according to the Turkish sources, were dismayed at the Obama administration’s extraordinary passivity and refusal to lead.

The US's policy on Syria continues to baffle me...and it isn't just me.
Obama is losing a lot of support from Arabs and Arab Americans over this.


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

12 hours 2 min ago

Ten civilians on a bus trying to flee to Turkey were among at least 26 people killed on Thursday, monitors and activists said.

The bus, with women and children on board, was shot up near the town of Sermin in the northwestern province of Idlib, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, without identifying the assailants.

11 hours 56 min ago

The Syrian town of Binesh 'will become an inferno' if government troops launch a much-feared new assault on it, said Abu Salmu, a commander of rebel fighters there.

'It will be like a volcano that has erupted that no one can stop,' he adds,recalling how rebels and townspeople repulsed an attack four months ago after four days of house-to-house combat that killed 16 of them.

5 hours 43 min ago

In a departure from Russia's previous position on Syria, a senior Russian lawmker has called for Syrian President Assad to pull his troops out of cities and allowing humanitarian assitance in.

The Associated Press reports:

The comments by Mikhail Margelov, the Kremlin-connected chairman of the foreign affairs committee in the upper house of Russian parliament, indicated Moscow's increasing impatience with Assad and its eagerness to raise pressure on an old ally.

'Assad must take the first step,' Margelov was quoted as saying. 'He must pull out the Syrian army from big cities. It's also necessary to deliver humanitarian assistance to the areas affected by fighting.'

Very Interesting....
That's big change from the official line the Russians have been giving.
Of course it's still just words and may not have any affect on the material relationship between Russia and Syria.


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

LCC: Number of casualties in Syria today has risen to 90, including 12 children, and 4 women.
7:15 PM

BreakingNews: A shell has hit an electrical tower in Binnish - Idleb in Syria resulting in complete power outage in Western Binnish.
7:16 PM

---------- Post added March-22nd-2012 at 10:49 PM ----------



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

BREAKING: Clear proof of Helicopters being used to attack civilians in Azaz, Aleppo http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...bcE7Sw5k#t=29s
6:13 PM

Regime forces are shelling areas in Homs and Idlib at night. They are not targeting anything. They just want to massacre civilians.
6:18 PM

Huge defection in Idlib and the formation of the "Liberation Battalion" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ5esOc6LTc
6:26 PM

You must be kidding me. Formation of the "Al Jazeera battalion" in Daraa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdq_-2mRWdU Now for BBC battalion
6:50 PM

[YOUTUBE]LVHbcE7Sw5k#t[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]kZ5esOc6LTc[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]pdq_-2mRWdU[/YOUTUBE]

[visionary]

Cool. I was just in Charlotte from Sunday-Tuesday.

[YOUTUBE]8C1ki7tRwRw[/YOUTUBE]

http://nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=374050

Eyeless in Syria

The problem is that the debate in Washington is, as usual, centered on America itself. Senator John McCain’s outrage over Syria is laudable. However, there are many things that can be done, in collaboration with the Syrians themselves, short of deploying American warplanes.

The United States, with its Arab and European partners, must help arm, train and organize anti-Assad combatants, allowing them to neutralize the regime’s military advantage, and set up and then expand areas where the Syrian regime cannot enter. It can assist in preparing a police force to manage security in “liberated” areas.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/...NUS_story.html

Syrian rebels running out of ammunition as government presses offensive

Fighters now are withdrawing at the first sign that the government is preparing an offensive, he said, to spare civilians and conserve resources. They plan to focus instead on guerrilla tactics, such as roadside bombings and ambushes.

But even those efforts are facing difficulties as the supply of ammunition dries up. In many parts of Idlib, once envisioned as an internationally protected safe zone for rebels and civilians, fighters have had to suspend operations and go on the run.

As they withdraw deeper into remote mountainous terrain, away from the population centers where they rely on the sympathies of residents for food and support, some rebels are also going hungry.

Among the fighters who have recently turned up in Antakya is Abu Mustafa, 35, a staff sergeant from Idlib who asked not to be identified by his real name or his home town because he fears for the safety of his family.

He made the perilous journey across the mined border after his unit of a few dozen men ran out of ammunition during an attack on a Syrian army checkpoint last week, he said. As the unit retreated toward a mountain hideout, Abu Mustafa said, he collapsed from hunger and had to be helped to safety.

“We hadn’t eaten breakfast, and it was late afternoon,” he said in an interview at one of the many small apartments in Antakya that Syrian activists have rented. “I had no power even to walk.”

The next day, he set out for Turkey, to beg the Free Syrian Army leadership for money.

“I came to tell them we are running out of ammunition and we need fast support,” he said. “Without ammunition, all of us are facing death.”

I don't think it's fair to me to tell these guys what to do.
I have to admit though that this 'withdrawing to save civilians' strategy doesn't really seem to work.
It seems like every time they withdraw from somewhere, it just lets the army and security forces keep attacking from afar with impunity or move in and massacre whoever they want.
Now if they're withdrawing because they have no ammo and want to regroup elsewhere, ok....
But I don't know if it's right to frame it in a way that makes it seem as if it's done to help residents out, if it doesn't do that.


http://nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=374050

New sanctions on Asma Assad will also freeze all her assets in EU. Significant since @ukborderagency confirms to BBC Mrs Assad is UK citizen

EU travel ban can't stop British citizens from entering UK. So Asma Assad can still travel to EU despite ban to be introduced today

[visionary]

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

4 hours 22 min ago

Syrian activist group says government forces and opposition fighters are engaging in fierce clashes in a town near the Turkish border.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Friday's clashes in the town of Aazaz in the northern province of Aleppo have left at least three soldiers dead.

4 hours 13 min ago

UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan will travel this weekend to Moscow and Beijing to discuss the crisis in Syria, his spokesman said Friday, adding that a team sent to Damascus has returned.

1 hour 15 min ago

The UN's top human rights body has sharply condemned Syria's bloody crackdown on opposition groups and extended the mandate of a UN expert panel tasked with reporting on alleged abuses in the country.

The 47-member UN Human Rights Council voted 41 to three in favor of an EU-sponsored resolution that was backed by Arab nations and the United States.

China, Russia and Cuba voted against. Two countries abstained and one didn't vote.

The resolution condemns "widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms perpetrated by the Syrian authorities'' including summary executions, torture and sexual abuse of detainees and children, and other abuses.

1 hour 6 min ago

The forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have been reportedly bombarding al-Qusair, a town close to the Lebanese border, for months.

The death toll in the Homs town continues to mount and the injured suffer from poor medical care due to shortages in paramedics and medical supplies.

Most buildings in Qusair have been damaged by the shelling. Even the mosques have not been spared, activists say.

Destruction in Hamidiya, Hama due to constant recent shelling by the regime.
[YOUTUBE]E-CVl0B9QTM[/YOUTUBE]

Destruction in Al Qusair Homs from constant prolonged shelling by the regime.
[YOUTUBE]ko2QGdAbY7o[/YOUTUBE]

Protest in Binnish, Idlib.
(One of the many opposition controlled towns in Idlib.)
[YOUTUBE]7BjSwSyTXxA[/YOUTUBE]

Kurdish protest in Qamshli
[YOUTUBE]P5gHLa29m8k[/YOUTUBE]


http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/23/world/...html?hpt=hp_t3

The European Union imposed fresh sanctions Friday on Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad's inner circle as the familiar sound of gunfire and shelling rang out across the nation again.

Ratcheting up pressure, the EU froze the assets of al-Assad's wife, Asma, and his mother, sister and sister-in-law, an EU spokesman said. The family members are also banned from travel to EU nations.

The United States, the European Union, the Arab League, Turkey and Japan have already slapped sanctions on Syria in an effort to deflate al-Assad's ability to finance attacks on his own people.

The bloodshed, however, has continued unabated.

Syrian forces targeted rebel strongholds Friday, even as the opposition urged Syrians to take to the streets of Damascus to bring the fight to the capital.

The opposition is calling for "We are coming to Damascus" demonstrations as part of its desire to take the protests and, more importantly, the fight to al-Assad's stronghold.

At least 12 people were killed Friday, including two children, according to the London-based Syrian Network for Human Rights.

They should sanction his girlfriends/advisors too.
(if they haven't already)

[visionary]

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

Massive demo in Deir Balba, Homs that was shelled for days until yesterday http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBLgYG1og3I
9:35 AM

Protests in Malaab, Homs. It's next to Inshaat and also occupied by regime forces. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bl8-Zf7lRU
9:36 AM

Protests in Waer, Homs despite the occupation by regime forces and snipers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz72Z8rC8HQ
9:39 AM

Madiq castle, that has been under shelling for days and surrounded by tanks, still protested today! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNblY...ature=youtu.be
9:43 AM

I have just posted four videos in areas that are under siege, being shelled, or occupied by regime forces and snipers. We cannot be stopped.
9:44 AM

One of the media centres in Homs was hit by three mortars. The building has been partially destroyed. 3 wounded, 1 seriously injured.
10:11 AM

[YOUTUBE]KBLgYG1og3I[/YOUTUBE]
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https://twitter.com/#!/ZeinakhodrAljaz

lebanon Interior Minister warned against any attempt by Syria refugees to engage in political activity against their country’s rule.
10:20 AM

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

Activists say at least 34 people were killed in Syria today, 12 of them in bombardment on town of Sirmen in Idlib. http://aje.me/GKvscN
10:26 AM

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

[English Subtitles] Shabiha flying Hezbollah flags in Homs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTry..._sGBr0FopkR8E= Thanks @usgrant63 for the translation
10:56 AM

Homs: Heavy shelling on Khaldiyah today, smoke rising http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-80FHhyIJM
11:04 AM

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...72683116117004

[visionary]

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

They're using missiles on Alqusair now. Missile launchers in the night. Please pray, the situation is worsening by the hour.
7:49 PM

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

Syrian Christian rev group:regime forced Homs Christians to leave homes for strategic control over their bldgs http://bit.ly/GWJ9BO
11:09 PM

Syrian Christian rev group:MotherAgnes of Catholic Media Ctr works w regime security to foment anti-rev rumors http://bit.ly/GWJ9BO
11:10 PM

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/co...8242310&type=1

6 hours ago
The Local Coordination Committees in Syria:

Friday ends with the fall of 54 martyrs: 22 in Idlib, where 18 of them fell in during a new massacre committed by the regime in Saramein; 12 in Homs; 9 in Daraa; 3 in Aleppo; 2 in Douma in the Damascus Suburbs; 2 in Deir Ezzor; 2 in Hama; 1 in Lattakia; and 1 in Raqqa

https://twitter.com/#!/arwamenla/sta...972480/photo/1

This photo depresses me sooo much. How the world let this happen..i'll just never understand. http://pic.twitter.com/MMM0wxXM

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/23/world/...ons/index.html

CNN rejects as 'ridiculous' Syrian claims it collaborated with rebels

State-run Syrian media asserted Thursday that CNN journalists were involved in blowing up an oil pipeline in Homs province, collaborating with "saboteurs."

The allegations surfaced when Syrian state TV aired portions of the CNN documentary "72 Hours Under Fire," about the challenges faced by a CNN team while on assignment in Homs.

Syrian tv has also recently accused international soccer clubs including Barcelona of sending secret coded signals to protesters and rebel fighters in Syria.


http://www.therevoltingsyrian.com/po...s-bbc-reporter

BBC PANORAMA: THE TRAGEDY OF HOMS - BBC reporter Paul Wood, who has only just come out of Syria, charts the rise and brutal suppression of the uprising in the Syrian city of Homs.

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

BreakingNews: Aleppo: Ezzaz: Helicopter pilot defects, bombs Military Intelligence building then lands safely in Turkey
2:36 AM

Breaking: Old Neighborhood of Homs is under very heavy shelling this morning. VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oebmg...layer_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PakrZ...layer_embedded
2:42 AM

[YOUTUBE]oebmgCToa_8[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]PakrZMcXOQs[/YOUTUBE]

[visionary]

http://blogs.aljazeera.com/liveblog/...r-24-2012-1133

Activists have posted a series of videos showing what they say is the destruction in Bab Amr that resulted from the military campaign on this Homs neighbourhood.

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

13 hours 50 min ago

Dozens of Syrian families Saturday fled a town in the northern province of Idlib after it was stormed by government forces, opposition activists said.

"Sixty per cent of the population of the town of Saraqeb have already fled to areas near the Turkish border," the opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in a statement.

9 hours 18 min ago

The head of the rebel Free Syrian Army, Riad al-Asaad, announced Saturday the formation of a military council grouping all rebel chiefs, including Syria's most senior army deserter General Mustafa al-Sheikh.

The council "is a step towards guaranteeing the unity of the troops and armed forces (of the opposition) on Syrian territory," Colonel Asaad told AFP by telephone from Turkey.

Asaad stressed that the new council "declines responsibility for any action taken by other organisations" and called on all armed forces in Syria to join the new military body.

"Today a pact was signed in Turkey... officially announcing that the Higher Military Council (of General Al-Sheikh) is merging with the Free Syrian Army of Riad al-Assad," a FSA statement said.

"General Mustafa al-Sheikh has been appointed as the chairman of the council," the statement added.

According to a a lieutenant from Al-Sheikh's group, Asaad will be in charge of military operations.

"He will control all brigades and all (local) military councils (across Syria) must place themselves under his jurisdiction," Lieutenant Khaled Ali told AFP news agency in Beirut.

General Al-Sheikh and 10 other generals will be tasked with deciding the military strategy of the Free Syrian Army, and will be in charge of weapons and funds, he added.

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

****: Assad's troops have shelled an ancient citadel (Qalaat Mudiq) today in Apamea http://y2u.be/hDG6wWNsWcU http://g.co/maps/sktru
1:26 PM

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

Slogan used by Assad's thugs spotted in Damascus - "Assad or we will burn down the country" via @ArabSpringFF http://bit.ly/GXI9y
3:27 PM

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

Two videos reportedly show a big explosion after a mortar shell hit its target in Khaldieyh http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n6sP5KPZ0Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2gaLRVLndc
11:50 AM

[YOUTUBE]-n6sP5KPZ0Q[/YOUTUBE]

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

9 hours ago
The Local Coordination Committees in Syria

The number of martyrs has risen to 45, among them 3 women,4 children and 3 that were martyred under torture; 24 in Homs,13 in Idlib, including 10 in Saraqeb,2 in Damascus Suburbs,2 in Aleppo ,2 martyrs in Daraa and 1 martyr in each of Hasakah and Hama

---------- Post added March-24th-2012 at 11:39 PM ----------

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

My cousin was killed today while fighting against Assad forces with the FSA on the road to Damascus near Ghariya Gharbiya Daraa
11:18 PM

His name was Khaled, he was the only child to his mother who was blind. He left behind 6 children & a pregnant wife.
11:18 PM

He wasn't a defector, he volunteered for the FSA. His mother, Khale Um Khaled, fell unconscious when she heard.
11:22 PM

[visionary]

I'm getting the feeling that this 'agreement' is somewhat exaggerated.
We seem to have pissed off a lot of our allies in the Middle East over Syria.
Hopefully this wasn't just another way for us to tell Turkey to stay out of it.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/25/world/...html?hpt=wo_c1

U.S., Turkish leaders agree on next steps on Syria

U.S. President Barack Obama discussed providing medical supplies and communications equipment to the Syrian opposition in a meeting with Turkey's prime minister Sunday.

The meeting was aimed at "syncing up" with Turkey -- a former Syrian ally -- before Istanbul hosts the next "Friends of Syria" meeting on April 1, a senior Obama administration official said. A goal of that conference is to exert pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime to end its brutal crackdown on civilians.

Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan expect the upcoming conference to enhance ways to provide "non-lethal" aid to the opponents of the Syrian regime, such as medical supplies and communications equipment, said Ben Rhodes, a U.S. deputy national security adviser.

"We cannot be spectators," Erdogan said Sunday after meeting with Obama in South Korea, where both leaders will be attending a nuclear summit this week.

Obama said he and Erdogan "are very much in agreement that there should be a process" to transition to a "legitimate government." He also pledged to keep pursuing humanitarian aid as reports of carnage at the hands of the al-Assad regime mount daily.

In a new charter, the Muslim Brotherhood vowed "to protect all rights, to dispel fears, inspire trust and confidence."

In its announcement Sunday, the group said it is committed to "democracy, pluralism, equality and human rights," as well as rejecting and fighting terrorism. The group also said every citizen should have equal rights to run for office.

Meanwhile, the death toll in Syria continued to rise. At least 23 people were killed nationwide on Sunday, opposition activists said.

The Syrian military continued pounding various neighborhoods in Homs, looking for rebel Free Syrian Army fighters and defectors, according to the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria.

"Perhaps, it's Syria's last chance to avoid a bloody civil war. We are very hopeful that your work will have a positive result," President Dmitry Medvedev told Annan, according to the news agency.

Tough Criticism by the Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinio...PUS_story.html

The U.N.’s unworkable plan for Syria

AFTER THE U.N. Security Council endorsed a six-point diplomatic plan for Syria by former secretary general Kofi Annan on Wednesday, U.S. ambassador Susan Rice sounded almost jubilant. “Annan’s proposal,” she said, “is the best way to put an end to the violence, facilitate much-needed humanitarian assistance and advance a Syrian-led political transition.” We can only hope that the envoy does not take her own words too seriously.

In fact, there is virtually no possibility that the new initiative will accomplish any of those aims — as the Obama administration should know by now. Instead, it will likely provide time and cover for the regime of Bashar al-Assad to continue using tanks and artillery to assault Syrian cities and indiscriminately kill civilians. That’s exactly what the regime was doing Thursday — pounding the city of Hama, where at least 20 people have been reported killed in army attacks in the past two days.

What the Annan mission does not offer is “the best way to put an end to the violence.” It is just the opposite: a guarantee that the bloodshed will continue, and probably worsen. The fighting in Syria will end only when Mr. Assad is forced to stop — or he succeeds in killing his way to victory.

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

The Local Coordination Committees in Syria
The number of martyrs has reached 30 thus far today, including 3 children. 11 martyrs were reported in Homs, 6 in the Damascus Suburbs (including 5 from the FSA), 5 in Idlib, 4 in Nawa in Daraa, 3 in Hama, and 1 in Aleppo
44 minutes ago

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

Tomorrow the opposition will be pressured by the "friends of #Syria" to accept a common "paper of principles" for the revolution.
9:09 AM

The Syrian opposition will also be pressured to endorse Annan's plan, despite the fact that it is far from what the street wants.
9:11 AM

The lesson the world wants the Syrian opposition to learn in their quest for democracy: Ignore the people.
9:11 AM

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

Urgent: All opposition stripes will convene in ‬‬Turkey‪‪ on March 29 to discuss post ‬‬Assad‪‪ era - Farouq Tayfor ‬‬9:34 AM

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

Hama: Madiq Castle: The ancient Castle has been attacked by more than 25 shells today, and the ancient city of Apamea by three shells
9:45 AM

The UN mission arrived in Douma, Damascus and was met by a crowds of anti-Assad protesters.

[YOUTUBE]x8TEijSR7dI[/YOUTUBE]

Demonstration in the town of Kafar Awed in the Jabal Zawieh region
[YOUTUBE]YzbXnz4oArI[/YOUTUBE]

[visionary]

http://www.boston.com/news/world/eur...ithers/?page=2

On Saturday, Turkey's Yeni Safak newspaper, which is considered close to the government, said 500 military personnel have inspected areas close to the border for a safe zone that could stretch 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) inside Syria, and would end their "studies" before the meeting in Istanbul.

The newspaper did not provide sources, but the report contributed to a sense that the safe zone idea is slowly gaining traction despite the pitfalls.

"If the U.S. is not involved, there is no way Turkey would get involved in it," said Osman Bahadir Dincer, a Syria expert at the International Strategic Research Organisation, a center in Ankara, the Turkish capital. However, he predicted "some kind of an intervention in the form of a buffer zone or a safe zone" within one or two months.

Dincer said a decision to arm the Free Syrian Army was unlikely at the Istanbul meeting amid questions over the composition of the ragtag militias, and divisions between fighters in Syria and the Syrian National Council, the opposition group based outside the country.

"The opposition is too fragmented, there is confusion as to which group represents who, or what they represent," he said.

The U.S. and other key allies, however, are considering providing Syrian rebels with communications help, medical aid and other "non-lethal" assistance. Ben Rhodes, the White House deputy national security adviser for strategic communication, said in South Korea on Sunday that communications assistance could be critical to the opposition's efforts.

"Of course, it is not possible to remain a spectator, to wait and not to intervene," Erdogan said in South Korea, with Obama at his side. "It is our humanitarian and conscientious responsibility. We are engaged in efforts toward doing whatever is necessary within the framework of international law. We are happy to see that our views on this overlap."

Hmmm. The CNN article didn't mention the word "intervene".


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

Local Coordination Committees in Syria
The number of Syrian martyrs has risen to 48 including 3 children. 14 martyrs in Homs, 10 in Hama (7 were murdered in Morek Massacre), 10 martyrs in Damascus suburbs (of which 5 elements from FSA), 6 in Idlib, 5 in Daraa (4 of them in Nawa town) and 3 martyrs in Aleppo
38 minutes ago

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

Hama Mork Seven martyrs were reported in the town after storming it this morning; five of them were executed by firing squad
12:06 PM

Hama Kafr Nabaudah: heavy shelling on the village many martyrs and wounded after the demolition of houses with people inside
12:12 PM

Daraa Bousr Al Harer Several martyrs in the town by the continued shelling, some still under the rubble in the streets many wounded
12:14 PM

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

32 min 3 sec ago
A Jordanian police official says 10 defectors from the Syrian security forces have been arrested on suspicion of spying on refugees and dissidents for President Bashar al-Assad's embattled regime.

The official says the 10 have been living in a compound run and guarded by Jordanian police in Mafraq, near the Syrian border. He says the men fled from the compound last Thursday but were arrested the same day.

He says the men were all low-ranking army and police deserters who escaped to Jordan during the Syrian uprising. They claimed they fled because they opposed the Syrian regime's alleged torture of civilians.

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

Almost 60 killed in Syria today per LCC, roughly equivalent to ca. 830 people killed in USA as percentage of population.
1:24 PM

And this or worse happens every day in Syria.
Well...unless it's a rare good day and only 30-40 are killed.


http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...17848338242310

Local Coordination Committees in Syria:

The number of Syrian martyrs has risen to 58 including 3 children. 16 martyrs in Homs, 14 in Hama (11 were murdered in Morek Massacre), 10 martyrs in Damascus suburbs (of which 5 elements from FSA), 10 in Idlib, 5 in Daraa (4 of them in Nawa town) and 3 martyrs in Aleppo
about a minute ago

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

Large group of Syrian defectors in Idlib, led by Col. Muhammad Akady, who shows up in a number of videos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u08mA...c3FAAAAAAAAKAA

[YOUTUBE]u08mA33_hsw[/YOUTUBE]

[visionary]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/26/wo...bels.html?_r=1

U.S. and Turkey to Step Up ‘Nonlethal’ Aid to Rebel Groups in Syria

The United States had already announced that it had been providing humanitarian aid to opposition groups. And on Sunday an administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the United States had already begun to supply some aid, including communications gear, to the rebel Free Syrian Army. The agreement with Turkey would formalize and increase that aid, though officials insist that no weaponry would be sent.

The two countries also agreed to set up a framework for further humanitarian and technical aid at the “Friends of Syria” meeting to be held Sunday in Istanbul, according to the deputy security adviser, Benjamin J. Rhodes.


The diplomatic developments came on the same day that the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood outlined a vision of a post-Assad Syria, calling for “a democratic, civil state” with religious freedoms.

Interesting news if the US has already sent some aid to opposition.
I haven't heard or seen any clear evidence of such yet, but maybe it's being kept quiet.
On the other hand, I recall a lot of leaks coming out of Libya about such things and we haven't really seen any from the FSA groups yet.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...17848338242310

Local Coordination Committees in Syria:
Sunday has ended with 70 martyrs including 3 children. 17 martyrs in Homs, 17 in Hama (11 were murdered in Morek Massacre),11 in Idlib,10 martyrs in Damascus suburbs (of which 5 elements from FSA), 9 in Daraa (4 of them in Nawa town) ,5 martyrs in Aleppo and a martyr in Hasakeh

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

Farouk Battalion in Homs: We destroyed 5 BMP-1 vehicles and a T-72 tank today. We hit the Old Police headquarters with a Kaytusha rocket.
5:39 PM

Farouk Battalion in Homs: We ambushed Lieutenant Colonel Ghassan Khalouf of the Air Force Intelligence, killing him and everyone with him.
5:42 PM

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

Reports indicate that the Head of Air Force Intelligence in Damascus was assassinated somewhere at or near the airport
7:57 PM

BREAKING: Enormous clashes between the FSA and Assad regime forces in Daraa as we speak. Largest clashes since start of revolution.
9:13 PM

https://twitter.com/#!/Mou2amara

BRKG:Confirmed now by Syria'n revo page: Assisination of General Iyad Mindo head of Air Force Intelligence by FSA http://on.fb.me/GPz3TQ
7:48 PM

Sounds like a good day to quit airforce intelligence....


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

oh and btw in case y'all hadn't heard, Hrietan, Anadan & Izzaz on the Gzaiantep highway in Aleppo were shelled mercilessly today
8:07 PM

https://twitter.com/#!/Mar15Syria

Breaking: FSA has kidnapped Rami Makhlouf's brother, Muhsin, & killed the lieutenant responsible for the Izraa massacre- Abdulkareem Younis
9:08 PM

Breaking: The FSA have already shot down two helicopters and killed several of Assad's men trying to recover Muhsin Makhlouf.
9:09 PM




Breaking: The FSA are currently fighting the biggest battle of the whole revolution in the Lajat area of Deraa
9:10 PM

Breaking: Assad's army has sent over 125 tanks, war planes are firing overhead on the FSA, and more reinforcements are arriving for the army
9:11 PM

Sounds like things are getting very intense across the country now.
Though I wouldn't be surprised if some is exaggeration.



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

Allawite actressFadwa Suliman calling for Alwites to join the revolution against Assad. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80RPJ...e_gdata_player
9:38 PM

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

"Alwaite soldiers are being being used as his own personnel shield, Y RUsacrificing 4 his protection?" Ms.Suliema http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80RPJ...e_gdata_player
9:44 PM

Apparently the kidnapping and the assassination in Damascus, are not confirmed....
https://twitter.com/#!/NMSyria

[visionary]

Wow...it sounds...and looks pretty bad over there.

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

LIVE NOW: Homs - Old Homs & BabSbaa, Syria under attack today again: http://bambuser.com/v/2502428
1:25 AM

LIVE NOW: Homs - Old Homs & BabSbaa, Syria under attack. Heavy black smoke and constant shelling: http://bambuser.com/v/2502447
1:42 AM

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

The wonderful people of Tampa, Florida raised over $1.1 million for Syria! This is the least that those on the outside should do.
10:10 PM

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

AFP: Diplomat reports Turkey has closed its embassy in Syrian capital, Damascus
1:51 AM

A few days back they said it would happen once Turkish citizens had left Syria.