Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Monitor This!

The monitoring begins, but the killing does not stop, and will escalate.

Tuesday 27, 2011

Today’s death toll: 42. The Breakdown:  17 in Homs City (including 4 children), 7 in Hama City, 3 in Damascus University, 4 in Rural Damascus, 4 in Deraa, 4 in Idib Province, 2 in Deir Ezzor Province and 1 in Lattakia City. 

Over 30,000 protesters took part in a rally in Khaldiyeh and other neighborhoods in Homs City to welcome the arrival of the Arab League monitors and demand international protection.

Today’s demonstrations were dedicated to the imprisoned activist Najati Tayarah.

In Damascus, blogger Tal Al-Mallouhi imprisoned on bogus charges since 2010, declared an open-ended hunger strike to protest her continued incarceration, according to statements by her lawyer.

The clashes between defectors and loyalists that took place near and around the Damascene suburb of Douma on Monday reportedly left over 30 defectors and dozens of loyalists dead.

Links
20,000 Syrians protest as Arab League monitors tour Homs, say activists
Syrians to Arab League monitors: We want international protection
Syria: Detainees Hidden From International Monitors

New videos of the Kafar Ouaid Massacre of December 20: the video is shot on the scene of the massacre in Bidama Valley in Idlib Province http://youtu.be/hr3vYP4tWBQ People have their hands tied behind their backs and are shot execution-style http://youtu.be/2tklt2Ambmk This is what the Assads want you to forget.

This is why they needed to fabricate all these stories about Al-Qaeda infiltration and stage bombings. Pro-regime social media outlets and websites, Dounia TV and other official media sources are flooded with bogus reports of all sorts for the benefit of the pro-Assad camp. Meanwhile, the memory of the revolutionaries is being dulled with the scene of new massacres in Baba Amr, Douma and elsewhere.

The ante has been upped so high, there will be no let-down in bloodshed from now on. The sad and tragic part of it is that the world has grown oblivious to all things Syrian. Even the statements of White House Spokesman Mark Toner below, ring hollow somehow.

The Situation in Damascus & Surrounding Regions 

Reports of use of fighter jets in the crackdown on the farmlands around the Suburb of Douma were inaccurate, only helicopters seem to have been used, like this one http://youtu.be/IExAun_ltcE. But the bombardment of the farmland areas around the suburb that took place on Monday, especially in the villages of Al-Shifoniyeh and Hosh nasri, reportedly left over 30 dead and dozens wounded. Dozens loyalists were also killed in clashes with local defectors. The situation remains tense.

 Damascus City is completely besieged by protest communities. But the most active ones are located to the East in what is known as the Eastern Ghoutah, or the Lung of Damascus – a huge swath of farmland and forests that have witnessed over the last two decades a steady migration from the City itself and from all over the country.

To the Northwest of the City lies the famous Wadi Barada, that narrow riverbed that passes to the north of the town of Qudsaya. Communities alongside the Wadi are part of the protest movement. So are the communities of the Bloudan Valley along the borders with Lebanon, with the towns of Madaya, Zabadani and Sirghaya leading the way.

To the North stretches the Qalamoun Mountains Range, all the way to Homs City. Many communities along the mountains form part of the protest movement: Al-Tal (Eltal), Rankous, Ad-Dumayr (Dmeir), Al-Ruhaibah (Ruheibeh), Yabroud and Qarrah. The Christian communities of Seydnaya, Maloula and Deir Atiyeh, and the mixed community of Al-Nabk remain neutral.

To the South, protest communities separate Damascus from the Hauran Valley (Deraa Governorate) and the volcanic Druze Mountain (Suweidah Governorate): Al-Hajar Al-Aswad, Qadam, Daraya and Moadamiya are practically part of Damascus City itself. The communities of (northwest and counterclockwise) Qatana, Khan Al-Sheeh, Kanaker, Zakya, Taybah, Kisweh, Zbeineh, and Sitti Zeinab are also major players in the movement.

EASTERN GHOUTAH: Douma one of the martyrs who have fallen during the pounding on Monday http://youtu.be/H7NOn0y1_9E His funeral http://youtu.be/GL8_h3DQbgw Security has gathered in the neighborhood trying to prevent the funerals, but they eventually had to withdraw http://youtu.be/BWS9f75RaXg and the funeral took place http://youtu.be/u5cQZ2l1cyo  Another funeral http://youtu.be/JBswcAECUcU and A rally http://youtu.be/OH5MIau3IAM

Shoufinyeh the impact of the Monday’s pounding: destroyed homes http://youtu.be/dyPnAc9wL_Y , http://youtu.be/dXSj_CvnrP8 burnt-out cars http://youtu.be/nV8pjYwP5CM

Saqba http://youtu.be/peG-M4_O9s8 Crackdown on rally leaves a martyr http://youtu.be/2P89HscqUwM Nighttime funeral http://youtu.be/-5yuLepMhBs , http://youtu.be/8KIt4uYzXYQ , http://youtu.be/VAme96PwQJM

Hamouriyeh http://youtu.be/h3uICgeClTY Harasta http://youtu.be/t1xbIvE2qLk Zamalka http://youtu.be/Bw9F5DpNdGU , http://youtu.be/l_G9FrA0uIc

DAMASCUS – NORTHWEST: Zabadani http://youtu.be/noU38_x5PWo Wadi Barada http://youtu.be/pGlL6_MRWZE Qudsaya http://youtu.be/qjylUZVXH8U

DAMASCUS NORTH: Qarrah http://youtu.be/ndRtrwC_6bo Yabroud http://youtu.be/LDDVuk72Pl4 Ruheibeh http://youtu.be/hrg1TI6urrQ

DAMASCUS – SOUTH: Kisweh security breaking into strike-observing shops http://youtu.be/0sBizrCGeyE Kafar Katna http://youtu.be/zZPGvnkUutU

DAMASCUS CITY: Jobar http://youtu.be/4w02dfZ69Yg Demonstration in Mazraa neighborhood in Central Damascus http://youtu.be/nVTXKktD8G8 People chanted anti-Assad slogans and saluted the FSA http://youtu.be/y5XfzHNq1RM Another demonstration in Central Damascus Salhiyeh http://youtu.be/ulWYxFs_WT0 Qadam http://youtu.be/IXuCg2HC2ho , http://youtu.be/JL2I25Lpngk  Midan http://youtu.be/GlXSsRKuFIQ Zahirah http://youtu.be/iUNL0Tt_FPE Barzeh http://youtu.be/CO82v0ZfVTU Qaboun http://youtu.be/tOeeomwjYPE

The Saga of Homs:

Pounding of neighborhoods stopped only in the early mornings, and tanks pulled out of Baba Amr and other target neighborhoods, without leaving the city.

Early in the morning, people in Bayada and Deir Baalbah neighborhood could hear and see the explosion that destroyed major segments of the gas pipeline running near the city.

Later in the day, over 30,000 protesters took part in a major rally in Khaldiyeh neighborhood to greet Arab league monitors and demand international protection. Local activists handed over names of martyrs and detainees.

Many neighborhoods remain without power, food and medical supplies are scarce.

Baba Amr: The neighborhood receives some pounding up to the last minute before the arrival of monitors http://youtu.be/CrAdzdUpjGQ tanks can still be seen at the outskirts of the neighborhood http://youtu.be/24W4uQQNl24 and snipers can still be seen on top of buildings http://youtu.be/HgFcJ6iMD40 People take advantage of the brief cessation of hostilities to bury their dead http://youtu.be/RHzQ0oZjVRk The AL delegation arrives in the neighborhood and pass by the tank http://youtu.be/VUEq33AIBgA But snipers are not taken a holiday http://youtu.be/zCCnSyI4Flc

Still, the inhabitants of Baba Amr held a major rally in defiance demanding a “no fly zone” http://youtu.be/e5lxQJknTlA as one of the local activists met with the delegation and explained that their presence brings with it some hope http://youtu.be/cl-lU3k8Lpg a woman demanded freedom of all detainees. Other protesters handed the leader of the delegation samples of the shells being used against them. Then people chanted “we want international protection.”

The local activists tries to prevail on the leader of the delegation to come tour the inner parts of the neighborhood, but another delegation member objects, because, in his words, “people are still getting shot there,” at this point, one of the local activist encourages his friend to keep the camera rolling by way of documenting this admission. The delegation member objects saying that only the head of the delegation can talk to the media http://youtu.be/wg5IfJsXrNA Finally, the locals manage to take the delegation on a tour of the inner streets showing the destruction and havoc brought about by the recent pounding http://youtu.be/BUExXyI2loE AL Monitors also met with local orphans, and reportedly cried http://youtu.be/aVkZ0DQMLIE

Baba Amr: together in life, together in death – a husband and wife martyrs http://youtu.be/rpFj6sAPVcs Their funeral http://youtu.be/zyQ5uJvV7w4 People saying goodbye to a local martyr http://youtu.be/znRZNCU_rno More martyrs http://youtu.be/rmR4XHxkRlQ , http://youtu.be/ejO4h-VAACg Sniper targeting passing vehicles http://youtu.be/OFTsLHJIuVM

In Asheerah Neighborhood, these protesters are pinned in their place by snipers http://youtu.be/u6Soi14H4Go Injuries were also reported in Wadi Arab neighborhood http://youtu.be/HTi10-1_1-k

And loyalist forces still fire at protesters who tried to move to the Clock-tower Square http://youtu.be/BiKHRq8Ex2Y , http://youtu.be/4fLqp3BUZ_g , http://youtu.be/uc5QLxdDCUY , http://youtu.be/h7lxNnNqqvo , http://youtu.be/6BSVbB89HzM

In Malaab, thousands took part in a mass funeral for Sheikh Manhal Al-Attassy killed on Monday http://youtu.be/2jdaT_QG-C8 , http://youtu.be/jbYL-o-W9r0 The funeral started from Omar Bin Al-Khattab Mosque http://youtu.be/F53W0watKc0 Meanwhile, in Khaldiyeh people held a major rally to receive the AL monitoring delegation http://youtu.be/7Cw3KhCc58A , http://youtu.be/yDK54AFR2Is Later, the rallies merged http://youtu.be/AxBcdmsV0Sk and chanted demanding international protection http://youtu.be/78yGaLHoJ2M And “Curse your soul Hafiz” http://youtu.be/7Ok6-12pH6E and “Who can challenge this Revolution” http://youtu.be/TLI4Nnif2oI

AL monitors passed through the Ghoutah Neighborhood http://youtu.be/c4D-Be23qsE Once monitors leave, the pounding resumes in some parts, leaving a house on fire http://youtu.be/2AzLkxm0_30 And protesters trying to reach the old Clock-Tower Square (redubbed Freedom Square) get shot at http://youtu.be/qPmjGjUUKRs , http://youtu.be/HAPZcQUaeuE , http://youtu.be/joHMtHjna18 Still, some had made it as far as Khalid Bin Al-Waleed Mosque http://youtu.be/w4WJyef70R0 , http://youtu.be/V8wZQTJEZho And some had made it to the outskirts of the Square itself http://youtu.be/9zpqITvLiCA And other to the Square itself http://youtu.be/bs9x3vN-YiA Loyalist security forces then moved in http://youtu.be/5-4mxbqRS4E and protesters withdrew chanting “God bless the Free Army” http://youtu.be/HP5yv9lqRZA Crackdown left several injured http://youtu.be/1B3nIM8P-qs , http://youtu.be/N3iIzP4UmnE Loyalist try to take out the activist with the camera http://youtu.be/p3cNBx7Aif0

Wounded in Wadi Arab http://youtu.be/RSovdNhdcDU a wounded child http://youtu.be/4q8W3Pkzpjw Food aid from Wadi Arab Neighborhood to besieged Baba Amr http://youtu.be/ArGZDATN-Bg

Demonstrations and rallies also took place in Deir Baalbah http://youtu.be/d7kaxMef42E , http://youtu.be/x40t0SeAkz8 Wa’er http://youtu.be/jthMltI0Bxw , http://youtu.be/pRfwpC5sd40 Midan http://youtu.be/XFwSMroxoSA Karm Al-Shami http://youtu.be/X4v9LRvBedU Asheerah http://youtu.be/ahWlYTmakFM Shammas http://youtu.be/Scq-oE4AZSE Nazheen http://youtu.be/hh-jzTDG6_Q Bab Houd http://youtu.be/JNzkwIPkwv0 Jib Al-Jandali http://youtu.be/LnN22weEUj8

Bab Tadmor all women demonstration http://youtu.be/1N_CRyhESVY Karm Al-Zeitun another all women demonstration http://youtu.be/hcmuN0EfyVw , http://youtu.be/iRkEIF3dmZw

The rally in Bab Al-Sibaa http://youtu.be/4cm6cEliq0g , http://youtu.be/kKMhPAYUMas , http://youtu.be/Gb3OL87QTN0 which, according to this activist, is meant to receive the AL monitors who have not arrived in the neighborhood yet http://youtu.be/_3Lwpjci2lY was broken up by loyalist gunfire http://youtu.be/UTHYZU2tPBE , http://youtu.be/Rypi6SXcyEM , http://youtu.be/t2j9XOzMD0w This was the rally before http://youtu.be/pzNea4LVKuM

 At night, people took to the streets again in Qoussour http://youtu.be/L0pSBrgeQHQ , http://youtu.be/BQa1fEf49Ss then the neighborhood comes under fire http://youtu.be/XLwus9cNaPY   Bab Dreib http://youtu.be/FBFsu2Vt314 Karm Al-Shami http://youtu.be/eyrvQkjQ_uc Bayadah http://youtu.be/fPSFHNr0zPQ Jouret Al-Shayah http://youtu.be/olcDvhxS5lc

Malaab “I love freedom to death” a rally in honor of the late sheikh Al-Atassy who was buried earlier in the day http://youtu.be/CU16yDIjsWE

HOMS PROVINCE: Qseir mother saying goodbye to her martyred son http://youtu.be/-bUQy-fLPz8 , http://youtu.be/E562EEDolzY the body of a child martyr is removed from the streets http://youtu.be/28vmW5an9qE Parents say goodbye http://youtu.be/KsdKt7md4Dg

Houleh tanks withdraw to outskirts of city http://youtu.be/iUNOsX3MAHg A nighttime rally http://youtu.be/_cpw-nYpP6U A funeral in Al-Dar Al-Kabireh http://youtu.be/FF9609jg9cA Demonstrations took place in Tadmor (Palmyra) http://youtu.be/3NZA77jhwPU Teer Ma’allah http://youtu.be/rWhYpEqmEcw

Talbisseh http://youtu.be/1IEXVXBq0qs Impact of earlier shelling on Talbisseh http://youtu.be/lOyxXB35mrY

Rastan demonstrations http://youtu.be/B640Lem0opM , http://youtu.be/DqfQDexCcLU This man was held captive for 14 days by Assad security officers and was tortured to death http://youtu.be/DipgAjMxtFM


HAMA: Karnaz http://youtu.be/kQEmdKhsGio Hilfaya http://youtu.be/2u236OLyT40 Ellatamneh http://youtu.be/e6erTM3nea0 Misyaf a small demonstration in this highly mixed town http://youtu.be/wlpeo_ON8GY Sahel Al-Ghab (Al-Hawash) http://youtu.be/AE_fexMNc6g A funeral in Khattab for yesterday’s three martyrs http://youtu.be/y1iEiu9rjGo

Hama City (Hamidiyeh) http://youtu.be/d216uC938r0 (Hadir) http://youtu.be/x5V1Ve9yk6o , http://youtu.be/ccebSSeatJ0 Security crackdown follows http://youtu.be/u4LXC62IfI4 (Assy Square) protesters driven out from Assy Square http://youtu.be/JobHaqe4rf4 , http://youtu.be/y7hFVdYhW24 , http://youtu.be/tmWXAh6r7PI , http://youtu.be/psRRrE71ZEU Some got to give Assad the shoe treatment http://youtu.be/Hpt87xL4U9s Cameraman can be heard demanding a visit by AL monitors. Other parts of town were shelled http://youtu.be/eK0p3qn5B4I (Marabit) protesters come under fire http://youtu.be/pnc9SvFPUIA , http://youtu.be/6jSnQBLALwY As usual, snipers are part of the action http://youtu.be/GH9Si6SKYNI Another life claimed by a sniper http://youtu.be/-1v5YUZK_-M And another http://youtu.be/FLqHAgkkVt4 (Sharqiyeh) protesters come under fire http://youtu.be/ey7TfwMpVHQ , http://youtu.be/JxFAPk_1qIY The crackdown leaves several dead, including http://youtu.be/dUOCPmk8Z6I and many injured, including http://youtu.be/i-LHGG9SQoM , http://youtu.be/ddNB384y49U Tear gas was also used http://youtu.be/u__AOXIB7oU (Bab Al-Balad) A woman among the injured http://youtu.be/j1FhrNaBY2I

At night, demonstrations take place in (Bab Qibli) http://youtu.be/_eecduWdDlc (Hamidiyeh) http://youtu.be/yMZcI7gCoQE (Aleppo Road) comes under fie http://youtu.be/N7HIWg7hwpo

DERAA/HAURAN: A funeral in Tseel http://youtu.be/BMsze_d_YCU Tanks withdraw from Jassem to outskirts of town http://youtu.be/tdmG_GqEwi4 Demonstrations in Da’el http://youtu.be/DBNISfh84rc Night http://youtu.be/6Mko6X66NOc Sourah http://youtu.be/skKlMAjEwww Ankhel http://youtu.be/AoB-22gGq3c Tafas http://youtu.be/uRaRI63nFUk Ataman http://youtu.be/Hw8gUnx4ASA Ghariyeh http://youtu.be/5WxK0Edc-vY Mseifrah http://youtu.be/Fn23g7y3R7E Ma’arabah http://youtu.be/Ej-030abK_M

Deraa City (Sabeel) http://youtu.be/FU-ODzf7WZY (Sadd) a funeral for a local activist http://youtu.be/J885-RMJj08 A martyr http://youtu.be/3n02cqEI3S0 Loyalists all over the neighborhood http://youtu.be/hFTQSkcgiDk , http://youtu.be/WY-6-Qh8ufw (Near Omari Mosque) protesters get shot at after trying to stage a demonstration to meet with AL monitors http://youtu.be/fd2IJK94mfw , http://youtu.be/l1Iow9_Qm14 a local mother describes how her son was killed back in May and his body was snatched from its makeshift grave by loyalists. She also described the miserable living condition in the City since then http://youtu.be/cF0RN_9dMZ8 At night, people take back to the streets (Mahata) http://youtu.be/BrU89tVH8MA a martyr in (Deraa Al-Balad) http://youtu.be/jv6RiRqhE9c

DEIR EZZOR: Deir Ezzor City (Jourah) the neighborhood comes under intense gunfire at night http://youtu.be/r22JZPUxSC4 Jirthy http://youtu.be/D5cPYUn__Og

HASSKEH: Dirbasiyeh http://youtu.be/p7ytsVKKeD8 , http://youtu.be/qkNQrRD1OCw  Qamishly night http://youtu.be/XG3APR5wvqE Amoudeh night http://youtu.be/nfNhjy0CXao

ALEPPO: Bayanoun http://youtu.be/3ZGcJEs7pN4 Kafar Naya http://youtu.be/uWicMBttVow Ma’aret Al-Arteeq http://youtu.be/4wN1h74F51M Kafar Nouran http://youtu.be/tzkU2TdMmvY Marei http://youtu.be/5xYABjm9W30 Hreitan http://youtu.be/t5zSBP11Ovk

TARTOUS: it might sound strange, but these in-house rallies are effective ways of keeping the revolutionary fires alive in the most repressed communities, scuh as the highly mixed coastal town of Tartous http://youtu.be/B_ZOIYMZlKQ

LATTAKIA: Hiffeh heavy security presence http://youtu.be/1bhAK2gNV4g But that does nots top the local junior high students from holding an after school rally http://youtu.be/yDB0A6J057E

Regime Violence in Syria
Press Statement | Mark C. Toner | Acting Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson |Washington, DC
December 27, 2011

We condemn the Syrian military's escalation of violence in Homs, Daraa and other cities prior to the deployment of the Arab League monitors. We have seen horrific pictures of indiscriminate fire, including by heavy tank guns, and heard reports of dozens of deaths, thousands of arrests, as well as beatings of peaceful protestors.

These repressive actions are not consistent with the terms of the Arab League initiative that the Syrian regime agreed to on November 2 or the protocol on observers that the regime agreed to on December 19. These agreements, designed to protect civilians, called for removal of military forces from the cities; allowing peaceful demonstrations; stopping violence by security forces, including the government’s shabiha militia; releasing all political prisoners; and allowing Arab League monitors and members of the international media to report freely on events throughout the country.

In keeping with the Arab League agreement, we expect that Arab League monitors will be able to deploy and move freely within Homs and other Syrian cities as protestors peacefully gather in reaction to the regime’s excessive violence. The monitors should have unfettered access to protestors and to areas most severely affected by the regime's crackdown. They bear a heavy responsibility in trying to protect Syrian civilians from the depredations of a murderous regime.

The next steps that the United States and the international community take will consider the extent of genuine cooperation from Syrian authorities with the Arab League monitoring mission, and the government’s degree of compliance with the other elements of the Arab League initiative. If the Syrian regime continues to resist and disregard Arab League efforts, the international community will consider other means to protect Syrian civilians.

Comment: I say, go to the next step already, and do consider those other means. Tis about time.


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