Friday, January 13, 2012

A Responsibility to Protect!

The ongoing Assad-led crackdown in Syria, and the recent spate of bombings and attacks there, irrespective of the identity of their perpetrators, put the international community face-to-face with its legal and moral responsibility to step in to protect the Syrian people. The Arab League has failed in its mission to halt the violence, and armed with new weapon supplies from Russia and Iran, Assad continues to rally his supporters promising an even harsher crackdown. Unless the world intervenes now, the bloodbath will become worse and Syria will join the ranks of failed states.

Thursday 12, 2012

Today’s death toll: 26. The breakdown: 7 in Idlib, 5 in Homs, 2 in Rural Damascus, 1 in Hama, 1 in Deir Ezzor, 1 defector…

Director of the Grand Mufti’s office, Sheikh Abdeljaleel Al-Saeed, announced his defection from the official religious establishment, describing the Grand Mufti as a criminal and promising more high level defections from the establishment in the days to come.

A delegation representing the SNC headed by Burhan Ghalioun held a meeting met with Col. Riyad Al-Ass’aad, head of the FSA and his top officers. Discussions focused on increasing cooperation and information sharing. The SNC promised to provide political guidance courses to FSA officers. It also agreed that an SNC liaison office will be established at FSA headquarters to improve inter-communications.

Le Figro reports that French authorities “suspect” Assad officials of “involvement” in the death of French journalist Gilles Jacquier, seeing that they were the only ones who knew of his and his colleagues’ visit to Homs. The visit had been given official approval, which is extremely rare. Some of the same journalists have been prevented from filming in certain parts of Damascus away from official controls. The neighborhood in which the attack occurred is a majority-Alawite neighborhood, security is extremely tight, and the neighborhood falls completely under the control of the regime. French authorities suspect “manipulation” by Assad officials, in an attempt to “discourage foreign journalists” from visiting and to “demonize the rebellion.” Homs Governor had promised to investigate this “terrorist attack,” indicating that the results of the inquiry had already been predetermined.

Links
Syria: Army Shoots Protesters Attempting to Reach Observers
Free Syrian Army commander: 'I'll name my son Juppé if West intervenes'
Alleged Russia arms ship docks in Syria despite vow to change course
Arab League's Syria mission not going to plan, warns chief
Observer mission in Syria begins to unravel, pushing forward UN option

(1)

All other arguments regarding context aside, the two main reasons for doubting official version regarding the recent bombings and attacks in Damascus and Homs are: 1) Assad officials proceeded to blame Al-Qaeda without conducting any kind of investigation, and 2) Assad security forces quickly moved in to destroy all crime scenes involved thus undermining the possibility of future independent inquiry. This is clearly the behavior of those who have more interest in hiding rather than uncovering the truth.

(2)

Still, let’s assume the worst: let’s assume that terrorist networks have indeed infiltrated Syria and that they are the ones responsible for the recent spate of attacks in Damascus and Homs, what would this development signify in practical terms?

Be it Assad loyalists or terrorist networks, the ultimate party responsible, politically, morally and legally, for all tragic developments in Syria continues to be the Assad regime, and ultimately Assad himself. It’s indeed Assad and his small coterie of family and friends, who are responsible for the violent crackdown taking place throughout the country and which created the necessary conditions for the rise of these hypothesized networks. Now, with security apparatuses actively engaged in perpetrating crimes against humanity, a military riddled with defections and dissent, and loyalist militias supported by state institutions and sponsored by pro-regime circles including members of Assad’s own family, the Assads are fast losing control, to the extent that they are now unable to protect even their own ardent followers, as evidenced by the recent attacks, while actively oppressing their opponents. The responsibility to protect, therefore, must now rest on the shoulders of the international community, lest Syria descends into a state of civil war and anarchy. The obvious failure of the Arab League monitoring mission makes clear as well that intervention has now become an international obligation.

(3)

On a related note, Assad’s recent call on his followers to support military and security apparatuses in their ongoing crackdown against protesters might actually provide a legal basis for referral to the ICC, considering the abuses and violations been perpetrated by Assad loyalist troops which has been sufficiently documented by many respected international human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Indeed, his call within the prevailing political, social and security context in the country constitutes an act of incitement of certain social groups against others.

Video Highlights

Homs City: Tanks and armored vehicles storm into the neighborhood of Khaldiyeh http://youtu.be/QOaqoy2UqgY An old man is killed by snipers in Bab Dreib http://youtu.be/nY3M2tG-p-g , http://youtu.be/2uH5-t0GOSM Another angle http://youtu.be/Y8d80PnDA50 , http://youtu.be/wa9SpwA6ax4

Deir Baalbah comes under heavy fire http://youtu.be/_AGco4RCywI At dusk, protesters in Khaldiyeh under fire http://youtu.be/2q1jDPEcXIQ , http://youtu.be/L3OdeRYmy5g and again at night http://youtu.be/qqgZE7PUiQU come under heavy fire http://youtu.be/K586Qkk1nlE A martyr http://youtu.be/94RPabAQ8fk

A martyr from Jub Al-Jandali http://youtu.be/ksIuTLh7e34 IN Insha’aat protesters come under heavy fire but remain defiant and dance as they curs Hafiz’ soul http://youtu.be/izdjNHERP48 Bab Tadmor comes under heavy gunfire http://youtu.be/bjHZzT7q26w , http://youtu.be/71lbn55CMLg , http://youtu.be/4vADUmj_2Z4 , http://youtu.be/t7XMLKw6Zcw A local martyr http://youtu.be/WHslRKg_Gh0

Firing at home in Karam Al-Zeitun (bullets can be seen ricocheting off the walls) http://youtu.be/0FzkMVYUD0U , http://youtu.be/Z0cVpuQpZpQ , http://youtu.be/3G3kfQM_NaI The view from inside the targeted homes http://youtu.be/KZEkzL8l4SI , http://youtu.be/HIzdxrHiFPs a similar development in Bab Al-Sibaa http://youtu.be/bgiX5hFxUSE

Locals from Wadi Al-Arab donate blood to comrades in Bab Dreib http://youtu.be/DcxCSrhGZFc

Rallies Insha’aat http://youtu.be/6xZBu_Qfvlk Wa’er http://youtu.be/1wkdSbpdrBE Wadi Arab http://youtu.be/5wQ-gJo5nuY Nighttime Qoussour http://youtu.be/sAoVJDxIwaU Baba Amr http://youtu.be/_BT0Hu45nxw Jouret Al-Shayah http://youtu.be/BshYuCGrypk Deir Baalbah http://youtu.be/Vi8ozlYcX1I Malaab http://youtu.be/HGcHKktVvTg

Rural Homs: Student rallies in Rastan Other rallies Halmouz http://youtu.be/1zKXGnqlY7I Tal Shur http://youtu.be/fro18yXjuwM Houleh http://youtu.be/aEi7yCvpLWs Tadmor http://youtu.be/3ZW2LuFstF4  Talbisseh http://youtu.be/TyPXmZ97WX4

Hama City: Local in Hamidiyeh hold a funeral http://youtu.be/MDR2pOVvNFA for this martyred defector http://youtu.be/_Zk5Z16lD9U 

At night, rallies take place in Bab Qibli http://youtu.be/T29PM4vOpUo Hamidiyeh http://youtu.be/FuGFs1KzRZU Aleppo Road http://youtu.be/mJAgg34iOpM Sabouniyeh http://youtu.be/7ucCB2al1uw

Rural Hama: Saying goodbye to a martyr in Taybat Al-Imam http://youtu.be/3KtP381PijU Nighttime mournign ceremony http://youtu.be/WFHQDPYJ9n4

Student rallies took place in Karnaz http://youtu.be/MDCX5YX-Qx0

Other rallies Mourek http://youtu.be/J3Axug6ZR5A

Idlib: Tanks and loyalists storm into Ariha http://youtu.be/acPF-BoB86s a martyr http://youtu.be/zm1IaT3OYss The town of Kafroumah comes under fire at night http://youtu.be/GktjFr8zIzE Saraqib comes under fire http://youtu.be/GP14nj3lW6o and is pounded http://youtu.be/lRzUp1mqB2g

Tanks and loyalists in Kafar Takhareem http://youtu.be/MAQIeiGHpag A closer look http://youtu.be/kbu-8YgBaH8 Burning motor bikes of locals http://youtu.be/EPtrx1vm9oA

Everybody is entitled to take part in the fight for freedom in the village of Kafar Oumaim, a mentally challenged child take part in leading the chants for freedom http://youtu.be/OJ8Enli9mzQ

Student rallies took place in Ma’arrat Masreen http://youtu.be/c4E6s_hSo-s Karnoush http://youtu.be/Ds52828_JTM Hzano http://youtu.be/NOcomkm8p0w

A wounded man in Saraqib http://youtu.be/ivF6mY-xrNs Maar Shourine A dead baby http://youtu.be/nQFARn-3FRw

Rallies Kafar Takhareem http://youtu.be/3UdtA7IesBM Idlib City http://youtu.be/tCj2z79LgT4 , http://youtu.be/-wgWi5jj9Yc Sarmeen http://youtu.be/ooD3ssHHJk8

Damascus City: students rallies in Moadamiyeh http://youtu.be/Jjz8Z_uKpz8 Qaboun http://youtu.be/vd-xHEJa5lk Old Mezzeh http://youtu.be/BtbZpse0HGs Midan http://youtu.be/gytHqr_fLds Barzeh http://youtu.be/1aHEM_dY_Bw , http://youtu.be/H5jNzKKr9mc Daraya http://youtu.be/HfBu07EfCaE , http://youtu.be/44nNv-n_-Zo Ruknaddine (area with heavy security presence due to proximity to Assad’s palace) http://youtu.be/tzisIEEHBDE Al-Hajar Al-Aswad http://youtu.be/oMOWN3gUBCI Kafar Sousseh http://youtu.be/yuV6UXydt3Y

This is how the regime maintains its grip in many Damascene neighborhoods these days, this is one is Daraya http://youtu.be/aOsS-nSzZDI , http://youtu.be/1owJHbXGFWw

Other rallies Kafar Sousseh http://youtu.be/s27uQ7rdBYo , http://youtu.be/eHGRwpIvTRY Midan http://youtu.be/l9CtxXNu8LY Qadam http://youtu.be/0zH2EtHsCtA Qaboun http://youtu.be/0A_uWyl-Hfs , http://youtu.be/Xjs3smhQRVQ Salhiyeh http://youtu.be/VQo4oWqAJO8

Damascus – East: Protesters in Douma come under fire http://youtu.be/5CedamXj1hE Nighttime rally http://youtu.be/FohZXKsHNtg

In nearby Harasta, local women hold a daytime rally http://youtu.be/PoaiR9pmVwg men encircle the rally to protect the women from attacks by loyalist militias http://youtu.be/s97mMjfeQwY

In nearby Arbeen, it’s an all-girls rally http://youtu.be/Cwv6kIMIaaI same in Saqba http://youtu.be/_WphFAH4b8U A mixed one in Zamalka http://youtu.be/QbkvP0U3Ilo

Nighttime Rallies Harasta http://youtu.be/5IxFmOrzjHs Hamouriyeh http://youtu.be/gwXey6fC6B0 Zamalka http://youtu.be/jtayZSTGKdM Jobar http://youtu.be/jVTAourvZPs

Damascus – South: student rally led by girls in Kanaker http://youtu.be/9iv4cEpjXio Artouz http://youtu.be/QLFHVvcHj5E Kisweh http://youtu.be/NBP_d5gjR6w

Damascus – West: In Qudsayah, local meet with AL monitors http://youtu.be/as7_SUfBfAA

Student rally in Wadi Barada http://youtu.be/g3aggP9IHdo and Zabadani http://youtu.be/JE9Yo72whs4 , http://youtu.be/0kTCVYWzOEc

Nighttime rallies Zabadani http://youtu.be/eOMBsqK6Qpc

Damascus – North: student rallies in Ruhaibeh http://youtu.be/SFhhcuKRFhk (all-girls) Eltal http://youtu.be/pjtkl5VsX0o , http://youtu.be/eLAq8bYP79A Qarrah http://youtu.be/hKfuIFOXDjw

More Rallies Assaly http://youtu.be/XQQ3Tg482Zc Qarrah http://youtu.be/pmqcGLYtuqw



Rural Aleppo: An all women rally in Elbab http://youtu.be/SxcXFmRNje8 More rallies took place in Anadan http://youtu.be/7aNH4O0oJxY Abyan http://youtu.be/UEy8GHN4gRA Anadan http://youtu.be/5D2ce4K0rlE Tal Rif’aat http://youtu.be/7GzfcKz0EEs Pro-Assad militias patrol Aleppo City streets http://youtu.be/r5ZOoeODaMs

Hassakeh: Syria’s Kurdish communities continue their defiance with student rallies in Qamishly http://youtu.be/z2OiI9WlBLo , http://youtu.be/5aHtriNjfU8 and Deirik http://youtu.be/8ULq1c7vZn8

Lattakia City: students in Tishreen university are search regularly by pro-Assad militias http://youtu.be/AG-vIEXsUu4 , http://youtu.be/EQXrtn6OuaQ

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)