Syrian Revolution Digest

Update

2012-02-22T08:53:00.001-08:00

I am absolutely mortified by what’s taking place in Syriatoday and would like to keep documenting it for the world to see, but I have totake some time to attend a workshop on the transitional challenges ahead. It’sa project that I have been working on for a while with a few Syrian colleaguesfrom different political backgrounds in cooperation with a number of internationalexperts. I will resume updating this blog as soon as I can, meanwhile I recommendfollowing the developments as they happen on NOW Lebanon: http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=253828

Delaying the Inevitable!

2012-02-20T00:56:00.001-08:00

Until they are brought down, the Assads still labor under the beliefthat they can finish off the resistance in Homs and throughout the country througha combination of bombardment, ground assault, arrest, torture, assassination,terror attacks and lies, i.e. – the famed security solution. The Assads can’t changetheir spots. It’s the international community that has to change its tactics whendealing with them, by admitting that its diplomacy has failed and that intervention,for all its complications and potential pitfalls, is needed. The more this decisionis delayed, the worse and more complex the situation on the grounds will get.

Sunday February 19, 2012

Today’s death toll: 27,including the district attorney of Idlib City and a district judge, whoseassassination is subject to controversy with the regime claiming that armedgangs were responsible for the act, while local activists point the finger atpro-Assad militias.

Meanwhile, the pounding ofBab Amr and other restive neighborhoods in Homs continues with Assad loyalistmilitias seeming to gear up for a ground attack. Many suburbs in Damascus Citytoday including those in Mazzeh, Midan, Naher Eisheh, Barzeh, Qaboun and KafarSousseh observed a call for general strike.

The family of the localactivist Samer Al-Khateeb who was killed in Mazzeh yesterday was forced to buryhim at dawn to avoid having another mass rally in the increasingly restiveneighborhood.

3 protesters were killed inthe neighborhood of Bab Qibli in Hama City when loyalists opened fire on ananti-Assad rally. 4 more were killed at the outskirts of the City when loyalistmilitias opened fire on a passenger bus.

News

U.S.military chief dubious about arming Syrian rebels (My Comment: Well,then establish some contact with the FSA and the rebels in order to evaluatetheir readiness, know who they are and understand what they stand for. Maintaininga policy of aloofness, standoffishness and leading from behind is not going tohelp with that.”

TwoSenators Say U.S. Should Arm Syrian Rebels

DeathToll Mounts in Syria, Officials Killed

Syriansecurity forces clamp down on Damascus

Op-Eds & Special Reports

Homsa bleeding wound as medical aid dire

Syria:my enemy’s enemy is not my friend

Syria: Is Assadpreparing ground assault on Homs?

Syria refugees tellof civilian misery in besieged Homs

Syrianopposition sees radicals at work for regime

Syriaintervention drive mirrors Bosnia's history

Syria'disintegrating under crippling sanctions'

Accordingto the Russian newspaper, Pravda,I seem to be part of the American conspiracy against Syria:

“The FUKUSaxis has used as its agents the ex-Syrian Vice President Abdel-Halim Khaddam,AIPAC member Farid al-Ghadry, Brookings Institution Fellow Ammar Abdul Hamid,Jeffrey Feltman from the US State Dept and multiple Syrian Muslim Brotherhoodleaders to fund, incite, train, guide, organize and direct their agents withinSyria to bring down the Assad government.”

If therewere a conspiracy, the activists and the rebels would have enoughcommunications equipment, enough medical supplies and enough weapons to helpthem in their fight against the Assads, instead of being so outmatched and embattled.Moreover, after 11 months, I trust there would have been an intervention bynow. Unfortunately, the only provable conspiracy is the one woven by Assad andtheir allies, including the Russians of course, against our freedom.

Homs
Homs City

Baba Amr: A message from local activist Khalid Abou Salah to the SNC: you haven’t done anything of substance since the beginning of the bombardment. You should immediately contact the Red Cross to encourage delivery of humanitarian aid to the neighborhood, and you should do more press conferences to inform the world of what’s happening in Baba Amr. We gave you legitimacy, and we can take it away http://youtu.be/iKeKx4bOAyo a young activist who was involved in smuggling humanitarian supplies to the neighborhood is killed http://youtu.be/8PnU6aum-G8 The pounding continues http://youtu.be/Is9k3DSxmqk , http://youtu.be/V6TJPMhaVR8 , http://youtu.be/X4xqiAWNvAo Impact of pounding http://youtu.be/ENg8b4jf1Q4 , http://youtu.be/ZAdrLznV_Ko , http://youtu.be/qnuGyi-7Pt4 Injuries to the heads by sniper bullets and shrapnel remain very common: Old man http://youtu.be/4KZfyvja99I a child http://youtu.be/7u2ZNVg6vK4 Khaldiyeh: Martyr http://youtu.be/Z-pqcZXVDJU A funeral for three http://youtu.be/mjo9KHOiw5U Karm Al-Zeitun: Martyrs http://youtu.be/Qjir_VKI6Ko , http://youtu.be/64QS9-16DOQ , http://youtu.be/QaiWhzHcCJU Omar Tellawi takes us on a tour of the neighborhood under bombardment http://youtu.be/7LjtR7JoPMw Insha’aat: tanks take up position near the local headquarters of the Baath Party http://youtu.be/rRqE1Hgnig0 Bab Al-Sibaa: the pounding continues http://youtu.be/MVi8MBN6dHk

Daytime Rallies
Qoussour (all-girls) http://youtu.be/8hwb6aTqUrY

Nighttime Rallies
Ghoutah http://youtu.be/QkEPYnspNA8 Wa’er http://youtu.be/X8NLW7NGeTw Khaldiyeh http://youtu.be/_dmPT8V873E Bab Houd http://youtu.be/5k1uQQbjGsM

Homs Province

Rastan: new fighting unit formed under FSA umbrella http://youtu.be/kER9OI9cKX0 New defectors http://youtu.be/QlqB84oiXjM , http://youtu.be/VEgCHkHN6WY Impact of shelling http://youtu.be/DqCrc-LK4Hs Houleh: funeral http://youtu.be/ZmHvuJYgpx4 Mourners come under fire and take cover while chanting defiantly http://youtu.be/Zc7UdO1l09o One of the injured http://youtu.be/K1_2IOC5bsc


Damascus
Damascus City

Strike: Jobar http://youtu.be/NNfk24kjknA , http://youtu.be/WKsXS7Pk2eM Assaly http://youtu.be/L6XHKROQTOI Barzeh http://youtu.be/pHXEa5kYdXg , http://youtu.be/84G8UoYGL-Y Blocking roads by using burning tires and garbage dumpsters has become common practice in many suburbs and neighborhoods close to main roads: Assaly http://youtu.be/i7sO15fnrx0 Barzeh http://youtu.be/kyMdKanes84

Daytime Rallies
Midan http://youtu.be/LkdAVvrWcC8 , http://youtu.be/zdR-OW4SC7I

Nighttime Rallies
Barzeh http://youtu.be/uYrO93hpCsA Jobar http://youtu.be/qJH1kNBID9Q

Damascus East (Eastern & Western Ghoutah)

Kafar Batan: tanks still in position throughout the neighborhood http://youtu.be/bxjpJl5rjH0 Dmeir: tanks and armored vehicles continue to be stationed in the city http://youtu.be/6hQFckJdUKc , http://youtu.be/cVPmfI77FdY

Nighttime Rallies
Arbeen http://youtu.be/bNOqDJUw6xY Douma http://youtu.be/zsl857yKYh0

Damascus South (Southern Ghoutah)

Nighttime Rallies
Daraya http://youtu.be/2GXhZ5p9N5g Qatana http://youtu.be/QjR3THY4sJQ

North (The Qalamoun Region )

Nighttime Rallies
Yabroud http://youtu.be/e9JfVOZi7NY


Hama
Hama City

Nighttime Rallies
Bab Qibli http://youtu.be/-cMbXs3Fdw4

Hama Province

Kafrenboudeh: new clips from the pounding that took place on Feb 16 showing the victims of the random shelling still lying in the streets amidst the ruins http://youtu.be/eQvPQCyU3uA Shaizar: child hit in the head by a shrapnel during the bombardment of the town http://youtu.be/eHj-BxdDbvw

Daytime Rallies
Taybat Al-Imam http://youtu.be/AaZ4R0G8vuM


Idlib

Ma’arrat Masreen: Martyr http://youtu.be/Rz3QqXJOM04 Ma’arrat Al-Nouman: Funeral http://youtu.be/fnLJNsC-hWI Taftanaz: Funeral http://youtu.be/cT7n2__b6Wg , http://youtu.be/_eleECAGrD0

Nighttime Rallies
Ma’arrat Al-Nouman http://youtu.be/dLjVjS7xgvo


Deraa/Hauran
Deraa/Hauran Province

Ankhel: Martyr http://youtu.be/ZtkQkxd0Sf0 His funeral http://youtu.be/hFsgZh-Z458 Basr Al-Harir: impact of pounding http://youtu.be/RxFXQcDF6lE , http://youtu.be/SEhduoY78Sg Harrfah: funeral http://youtu.be/x0NnB-IJLEA

Daytime Rallies
Namar http://youtu.be/2zumM7LZcqs

Nighttime Rallies
Da’el http://youtu.be/MKfT7Rtz1iI


Aleppo
Aleppo City

Sukkari: protesters come under fire http://youtu.be/mkCSHYKDmhk

Nighttime Rallies
Sheikh Maqsoud http://youtu.be/hUIxojS5yBc Salaheddine http://youtu.be/s3rk-sWwSDY

Aleppo Province

Al-Atareb: snipers take up positions around town http://youtu.be/Ex56lnxTXGc and tanks roam the streets http://youtu.be/3FNijmC8pGw Funeral http://youtu.be/we7PiR9tdBg The pounding of the city begins http://youtu.be/qVGclmzHEQw

Nighttime Rallies
Tal Rif’aat http://youtu.be/v6T8JfJTDoY Marei http://youtu.be/ucO5SRjdv38 Dar Azzah http://youtu.be/buNtbjKd7DY


Deir Ezzor

Asharah: martyr http://youtu.be/X_nBHZ7dMsY

Daytime Rallies
Jarzi http://youtu.be/pmt_DU747hM

Nighttime Rallies
Deir Ezzor City http://youtu.be/EbaRiB-owxQ Qourieyh http://youtu.be/ug7iYZgGgGc Shaikh Yassin http://youtu.be/L2MhH8jJiQE


Hassakeh

Ghuweiran: nighttime protesters http://youtu.be/99wnAW8Cr5c come under fire http://youtu.be/vPT1rqleIRA , http://youtu.be/sU4VRp2V_uQ

Nighttime Rallies
Amoudeh http://youtu.be/uAJBr-mFagE

The Martyrs are Marching In!

2012-02-18T23:06:00.001-08:00

It seems that the only way we have to reclaim Syria is to do itone mass funeral at a time. The protesters seem ready and willing, and thebattle for Damascus is bound to heat up.

Saturday February 18, 2012

Today’s death toll: 35,including 18 soldiers who tried to defect and were shot by loyalists in thetown of Al-Atarib in Aleppo Province. The dead also include 2 mourners who tookpart in a major funeral/rally in Damascus City, walking distance from thepresidential palace. The rest were killed in various communities in Homs City(10, including 3 women and 3 soldiers killed as they were trying to defect),Deraa (3), Hama (including 2 children), Idleb (2) and Raqqah (1) provinces.

In Damascus, mass funeralstook place not only in Damascus City near the presidential palace, but also inthe suburbs of Douma (Eastern Ghoutah) and Elhameh (West of Damascus).

News

AngelinaJolie says time for ‘intervention’ in Syria

Syrianforces fire on crowded funeral procession

Iranianwarships dock at Syrian port after crossing Suez Canal

InDamascus, street protests and diplomacy

Op-Eds & Special Reports

ForSyria, Reliant on Russia for Weapons and Food, Old Bonds Run Deep

AlQaeda influence complicates US approach to Syria

JonathanSpyer: Inside Free Syria

Leakedvideoshows victims of loyalist snipers being filmed and ridiculed. The cameramanrefers to them as “Arours” after a known Salafi scholar who, according to officialpropaganda, is one of the masterminds of the revolution, despite the fact thathe had issued a fatwa against conducting a revolution in Syria before he wasforced by popular pressure to change his views after the beginning of therevolution http://youtu.be/eQ_imD6o07I

Adefector’s testimony: a new defector from Aleppo says that he used to be part of agroup sent by Air Force intelligence and the 80^th Brigade in civiesto crackdown on protesters in Sakhour and Hanano neighborhoods in Aleppo city,and their activities were blamed on armed gangs in pro-regime media. Theirleaders included Taal Ghareeb, Emad Al-Shayib, Muhammad Hasasn and Wa’edHamdan. Regarding the explosions that took place in Aleppo, he says there weretwo explosions, one at 9 am and one at 9:10, followed by gunfire, althoughthere were no real clashes with anyone. At 12:30, he says, a truck loaded withmakeshift explosives were loaded up by officers from Air force intelligence,and ADdounia TV and other pro-regime media were asked to film it saying that itbelonged to the armed groups responsible for the explosions http://youtu.be/eWSRjRlN-Zo

Homs
Homs City

Baba Amr: snow and gunfire at night http://youtu.be/1NaEsSrUydE By mourning, the streets were covered with snow http://youtu.be/9JNKF3kTLvY Then the pounding resumes http://youtu.be/fApD3Vpepx0 , http://youtu.be/lbr17_QV_Xg But no matter how bad things get, people find ways to go one and “enjoy” the day, if such is still possible, like this fellow here who devised a hookah from tanks and artillery shells http://youtu.be/E3o1Am8wxNg A mother grieves for her martyred son http://youtu.be/4aiEUydf5uI Martyr http://youtu.be/qDN_qErU-7E Three soldiers who tried to defect are killed http://youtu.be/l9E6dZh0Of0 Karm Al-Zeitun: Local activists gather in the morning to inspect the neighborhood and have a snow fight http://youtu.be/NMZVhZ_UifU A woman martyr http://youtu.be/3om3ApL3rMk Insha’aat: the pounding continues http://youtu.be/BNsmmQGXDw8 Elsewhere in the city, more soldiers and officers defect and join the Free Syrian Army http://youtu.be/_t9dPdlcbsA Bab Tadmor: locals never miss a chance to express their feelings, here by stomping on a banner with the pictures of Putin and Assad http://youtu.be/Cw8DX8DIAP0 Bab Al-Sibaa: protesters come under fire from snipers http://youtu.be/HCMrAygzZ90 Bab Dreib: recent defector and locals form a new fighting unit http://youtu.be/PfJsZasItVA

Nighttime Rallies
Wa’er http://youtu.be/B4IA6LEEghQ Qoussour http://youtu.be/xEZedYuELGQ Khaldiyeh http://youtu.be/m9qCmkW-vfA Ghoutah http://youtu.be/KP4UdwwzcU0

Homs Province

Tal Kalakh: more defections http://youtu.be/VaNJEB_McPE Rastan: nighttime pounding leaves a home on fire http://youtu.be/1kpGNWFtOtI

Daytime Rallies
Houleh http://youtu.be/M6geCqMo7c4 , http://youtu.be/OwA6LLiD4gY


Damascus
Damascus City

Mazzeh: 30,000 locals took part in a mass funeral for yesterday’s martyrs, despite the ongoing snow storm. The event began in the Bassateen Neighborhood of Mazzeh then, mourner crossed the major highway (Mazzeh Autostrad) passing by the Iranian Embassy on their way to the Great Mosque and the nearby cemetery in the Sheikh Saad Neighborhood, just 15 minutes walking distance from the Presidential Palace, where they merged with thousands of other mourners already waiting for them there http://youtu.be/Brz11MBjifA , http://youtu.be/TZQqYOx9qeg The snow did not damper the enthusiasm of the mourners/protesters http://youtu.be/t0bXY7psGng , http://youtu.be/nr6zUO11_0M Immediately after mourners were done with the burial ceremony and as they headed out of the cemetery http://youtu.be/GhVNoCE84Ig Loyalist security forces opened fire http://youtu.be/0OD1Yv-0otg wounding 4 and killing 2 protesters http://youtu.be/ml2ZY5Y9HPs , http://youtu.be/1y4A-zExplQ , http://youtu.be/Tqq2swvqioU , http://youtu.be/beu7azKrnk4 People disperse into the side streets after the shooting http://youtu.be/5SFdbVtPNjw , http://youtu.be/FA8PnP3E2JI Men and women of all ages took part http://youtu.be/cR786Th_1ps The event was broadcasted live on ustream http://youtu.be/dJnVZiLNawo The women in the rally hoisted the independence flag and chanted in support of the Free Syrian Army, second later, security fire straight into the crowd http://youtu.be/GvVy9cONoxo The injured are treated harshly as they lies in the streets http://youtu.be/zScPr6c-FzE Some protesters remain defiant shouting “Freedom forever, in spite of you Assad” http://youtu.be/xcfRZt4TWLs Barzeh: the people of the neighborhood observes a strike in protest over the continued crackdown and their inability to bury their own dead http://youtu.be/A6GeUB8fw_g , http://youtu.be/lOHdv0wzwQM

Nighttime Rallies
Kafar Sousseh http://youtu.be/NLwtryp6ydw , http://youtu.be/pldBxfjwRxk Assaly http://youtu.be/mPrvUF64A1I Wadi Al-Masharei (Zor Afa – A Kurdish neighborhood) http://youtu.be/g7v8QDnB8kI

Damascus East (Eastern & Western Ghoutah)

Douma: Another mass funeral under the snow for 2 activists http://youtu.be/Tk4xD0ZSCY4 , http://youtu.be/SRX6cxi7wrI The two martyrs http://youtu.be/YwpPU7bnZhs , http://youtu.be/teLzOA_t6e8 At night, another mass rally is held http://youtu.be/4BZpoMgrEk0 , http://youtu.be/BDVghNVvUjw , http://youtu.be/kIqC-zaZjEU

Daytime Rallies
Babbila http://youtu.be/OA50lHdtmrA

Nighttime Rallies
Dmeir http://youtu.be/EdkNWioTozY

Damascus South (Southern Ghoutah)

Daytime Rallies
Al-Hajar Al-Aswad http://youtu.be/-m7mhs7NPtA , http://youtu.be/f9Mduv9tFAE Sitti Zeinab http://youtu.be/OfFZG3Js25g

Nighttime Rallies
Daraya http://youtu.be/cvhzmkap1v0 , http://youtu.be/QEZpHrIyqjI

West (Zabadani and Wadi Barada)

Elhameh: Another major funeral took place in this Damascene suburb to the northwest of Damascus http://youtu.be/meeQBwGQp6E , http://youtu.be/sUz_mM_facw Snow does not dampen the morale of the mourners http://youtu.be/EV4cbfrA6ZI , http://youtu.be/Sr5ScK4oqnA Post-funeral rally http://youtu.be/uMEuQ-qit5Q , http://youtu.be/HwXV9dwu29Q , http://youtu.be/tBCJars5e_4 , http://youtu.be/SEQhGBfNFxo , http://youtu.be/myXBXcHztTc

North (The Qalamoun Region )

Daytime Rallies
Eltal http://youtu.be/-eKJm18hfRY


Hama
Hama City

Nighttime Rallies
Bab Qibli http://youtu.be/QPTWDE9YSuE

Hama Province

Taybat Al-Imam: Funeral http://youtu.be/XE9IykGymlA

Daytime Rallies
Kafrenboudeh http://youtu.be/Sidq562YhNY Salamiyeh http://youtu.be/fau2lAdVsKQ


Idlib

Kafrenbel: tanks roam the streets http://youtu.be/SU4ju4icmAc Ma’arrat Al-Nouman: Martyr http://youtu.be/lumXDG-cKWQ Ihsem: The body of a man found in the street showing signs of torture http://youtu.be/5zCoRI9LwEY

Daytime Rallies
Habeet http://youtu.be/xn30MV507Lc Jarjanaz http://youtu.be/mHBaiFM2WQU Taoum http://youtu.be/eGTGeGnxykI

Nighttime Rallies
Ma’arrat Masreen http://youtu.be/3ZIS5uabKB4


Deraa/Hauran
Deraa City

Deraa City: martyr http://youtu.be/U4VxQRhMh_A

Deraa/Hauran Province

Kafar Shams: Funeral http://youtu.be/DSQAwMQzB6c Basr Al-Harir: tanks roam the streets http://youtu.be/rvDVPf4g41w , http://youtu.be/dNnVWF7HvCI Harrah: Trying to save a protester who was shot http://youtu.be/xj-b9GGMNx0

Daytime Rallies
Sourah http://youtu.be/P-0uvJqpS3M Ataman http://youtu.be/jVfm82KPgsU


Aleppo
Aleppo City

An officer affiliated with the Military Court declares his defection http://youtu.be/4OyhVND_5-o

Nighttime Rallies
Sukkari http://youtu.be/HCqhGFhabNI , http://youtu.be/dCXQbt9ny5o Al-Ansari http://youtu.be/rWN_IIPabWw


Deir Ezzor

Qouriyeh: tanks roam the streets http://youtu.be/MIhcJcPdzgY Deir Ezzor City: funeral http://youtu.be/gDgF0vKa2Dc

Nighttime Rallies
Deir Ezzor City (Jbeileh) http://youtu.be/Fhp740Oemy8


Hassakeh

Hassakeh City: Protesters in Ghueiran neighborhood http://youtu.be/3uqp48ckg4Q come under heavy gunfire at night http://youtu.be/7b2BOG4eSZ0 , http://youtu.be/JZQHUoSVcMY

Daytime Rallies
Deirik http://youtu.be/slK8rUfVKDM

Rise of the Popular Resistance!

2012-02-18T02:11:00.000-08:00

Resistance is how the Syrian protesters want their movement to belabeled, not an uprising, insurgency or rebellion. Indeed, when one examines thefacts on the ground, theirs now is a popular resistance movement, one aimed atliberating Syria from tyranny and corruption.

Friday February 17, 2012 – A daydedicated to Popular Resistance

Today’s death toll: 46,including 12 defectors who were executed after being captured following clasheswith loyalists in Deraa City, 16 protesters in Rural Deraa, 5 in Damascus City killed when loyalistmilitias opened fire on an anti-Assad rally in the neighborhood of MazzehBassateen, 7 in Homs City, 2 in Deir Ezzor, 2 in Aleppo, 1 in Hama, 1 in Idliband 1 in Rural Damascus.

News

Chineseenvoy to meet Syrian leader after U.N. condemnation

Syriaopposition's SNC seeks backers but lacks leaders

Op-Eds & Special Reports

SyriaChaos Pushes Iraqis Back Home

CouldAl Qaeda get Syria's chemical weapons?

Computerspyware is newest weapon in Syrian conflict

In Daraya, and in response to the New Constitution which stipulates that the President must be a man of Muslim Descent, Christian protesters carried a sign saying: “why can’t the President by a Christian woman?” this a majority Muslim neighborhood, very traditional, yet, Muslim protesters rallied behind the sign as well. This is an Islamic or extremist revolution http://youtu.be/jn-mIrfKlJ4

Homs
Homs City

Baba Amr: Pounding with howitzers continues http://youtu.be/Xh0d_ou3GfI , http://youtu.be/hwhpV1UdlnI , http://youtu.be/GdiXsZ0x_UE , http://youtu.be/630psxMa520 , http://youtu.be/bA89mxR_-3Q , http://youtu.be/u9pPbC9mUJ8 , http://youtu.be/9VkbNr8NPu4 , http://youtu.be/wE7hfR85tO4 Tanks take part in the action http://youtu.be/wCptcO7RcoQ Al-Jouri Mosque gets hit again http://youtu.be/uCafELotWKY Local activist Mahmoud Arabi narrates as the pounding continues http://youtu.be/OsR_BY38N70 Tanks taking part of the siege http://youtu.be/-CV8-0OHTE0 Impact of pounding http://youtu.be/rv5Ie65hwkc , http://youtu.be/654DmBsoreA People are forced to collect rain water for drinking http://youtu.be/yvPiFO9tkT8 Two more martyrs and Dr. Muhammad rails against the world http://youtu.be/RFPDnz9-1Jw Treating the wounded http://youtu.be/bs8r58aKAuI French journalists watch and document http://youtu.be/qhGnXDwt4Do a baby among the inured http://youtu.be/XYrEEMhB2-8 But while, Baba Amr and other neighborhoods come under fire, other parts of the city remain defiant and seem to have fallen , for now, under the control of the Free Syrian Army http://youtu.be/i_da-nCUZEU Al-Farouk Brigade takes more loyalist prisoners http://youtu.be/gBpGaH_4pzc Elsewhere in the city, loyalists parade their truck mounted with an automatic gun and the cadaver of a rebel wrapped in blanket http://youtu.be/yKaMx5Gzz3o This leaked video shows the pounding from the point of view of the loyalists http://youtu.be/VdJsjRUdqvo At night, it snows. Usually, locals celebrate the snow, but now it adds to their misery http://youtu.be/1NaEsSrUydE Al-Rifai: two child martyrs http://youtu.be/5CxnyuoSFV4 Lining up for Kerosene http://youtu.be/rYu1vb54t74 Injuries http://youtu.be/oUTTYaa89og Wounded defectors http://youtu.be/w0R8mUNzWJg The neighborhood receives its fair share of pounding http://youtu.be/Y2kFMMiLKyM , http://youtu.be/orqfCxZNwSQ Funeral http://youtu.be/HTyEx16l5BA Looking for the dead in the rubble http://youtu.be/eOPH8TID_Hc

Daytime Rallies
Midan http://youtu.be/Fj7E4QGz6Wk Qoussour http://youtu.be/xidmZldHjCE Bab Houd http://youtu.be/Rx_946MsRLY Wa’er http://youtu.be/tYz2WGVvuYM Ghoutah http://youtu.be/aQ0jEuU2RtI Malaab http://youtu.be/ppA_sYwA1lQ Jouret Al-Shayah http://youtu.be/am53KBUA9K4 Qarabes http://youtu.be/z3uUWyXOZLc Bab Tadmor http://youtu.be/7av6EyBumVU Khaldiyeh http://youtu.be/zarjSn-I1D8 Karm Al-Zeitun http://youtu.be/7MEGrSO2w90 Bani Al-Sibay’ee http://youtu.be/hi6R2m02Rf4 Bab Al-Sibaa http://youtu.be/icP-njSw_Gk Mreijeh http://youtu.be/Rg6aIVxL3VU , http://youtu.be/33fXOM0SvIc Madentein http://youtu.be/x9o6SnkiMqg

Nighttime Rallies
Qoussour http://youtu.be/5YfwjioMzSo Wa’er http://youtu.be/GccHncFpRu4

Homs Province

Rastan: More defections http://youtu.be/Qy75T8sn0rc and a new fighting unit formed http://youtu.be/RWdhAqiQxlc

Daytime Rallies
Houleh http://youtu.be/ZFEJHHuv1Yk , http://youtu.be/xfr0--i7WO8 Qusayr http://youtu.be/Nk7vXXpwfTo , http://youtu.be/R7xoG0UR1MA Rastan http://youtu.be/zvj2pWiVFpg , http://youtu.be/j8tD3JUEgeU


Damascus
Damascus City

Barzeh: Loyalist militias patrol the streets http://youtu.be/J-0xMWTvn6I Over a 100 are arrested and 3 are killed, according to this reported, but people organize a rally as soon as loyalists militias leave the neighborhood http://youtu.be/CRop-594zhM vowing to take revenge against Maher and Bashar Assad http://youtu.be/a5xWfZynqyY Qadam: loyalists in one part http://youtu.be/CIdOLN96WVE Rally in another http://youtu.be/rxRaz8uEgv8 Soon, the protesters come under fire http://youtu.be/NrV2DWFUr-A Mazzeh Bassateen: protesters come under fire http://youtu.be/j1ercj48eGU , http://youtu.be/-jlgVUi_UNg , http://youtu.be/WlIpamO3Ckc One of the martyrs http://youtu.be/yL-NC31xr28 , http://youtu.be/37MhDeeJV4o An injury http://youtu.be/WHGubgNtMXQ Qaboun: Loyalists patrol the streets http://youtu.be/D7zJEMjmqYY , http://youtu.be/gp1rR0Zph8M

Daytime Rallies
Assaly http://youtu.be/u2QoUUVD0FA Midan (in-mosque rally) http://youtu.be/TjVcUQgC9S4 (outside Kheiro Mosque) http://youtu.be/LwvdApf8GWs (Zein Al-Abideen) http://youtu.be/IjTO2yJON4Y Kafar Sousseh http://youtu.be/PPt_uetQSUE Naher Eisheh http://youtu.be/Fv7r4fCmUoM Doummar Al-Balad http://youtu.be/RdGMDFV1ors

Nighttime Rallies
Jobar http://youtu.be/wCaIBKd2o3U

Damascus East (Eastern & Western Ghoutah)

Saqba: tanks maintain their presence in the streets http://youtu.be/DED69Uw5nOw Protesters come under fire http://youtu.be/H6A51mPpgH0 Kafar Batna: Loyalist patrol the streets http://youtu.be/3FIeGU3N2Ik

Daytime Rallies
Arbeen http://youtu.be/9yyA4euOhIg , http://youtu.be/6NxJcSmwgyo Babbila http://youtu.be/hK6PdiAnt3g , http://youtu.be/sUsILjBbvaU Yelda http://youtu.be/sfXhuu7PSWY Dmeir http://youtu.be/DVA5S1M0uRQ , http://youtu.be/YusZJA8RpqA Harasta http://youtu.be/eJHf4zeZpLw

Damascus South (Southern Ghoutah)

Kanaker: Tanks and loyalists patrol the streets http://youtu.be/MHLdhYBndf8 Jdeidet Artouz: Funeral http://youtu.be/ITYKoLvoNK8

Daytime Rallies
Zakiyeh http://youtu.be/Hv3KHMlYACI Daraya http://youtu.be/L8rvU5M6UuQ Al-Hajar Al-Aswad http://youtu.be/botcOKlzDdc Jdeidet Artouz http://youtu.be/SN0G_cVOiE4 Shebaa http://youtu.be/4OkuEgIKFG8 Beit Saber http://youtu.be/omX5UwmZnmU Sitti Zeinab http://youtu.be/1XHiXOPF4vo

West (Zabadani and Wadi Barada)

Daytime Rallies
Qudsaya http://youtu.be/XmX9RD71ffc , http://youtu.be/pt0N8HPsmxw Deir Migren http://youtu.be/p-wG0CajtMI Elhameh http://youtu.be/LwON2efR8Dc

North (The Qalamoun Region )

Eltal: protesters http://youtu.be/YiDDvl-kdR8 , http://youtu.be/DxkH-JLlJSo clash with loyalists http://youtu.be/t0TmYwMAwzE

Daytime Rallies
Yabroud http://youtu.be/jzTmLbOVdw0 Qarrah http://youtu.be/fjJs1cXUlfs


Hama
Hama City

Daytime Rallies
Aleppo Road http://youtu.be/AyqHhQZsIhc , http://youtu.be/ElXQ7nqHYXg Zahiriyeh http://youtu.be/MK8h0bGfDgE Hamidiyeh http://youtu.be/TrgXLHZDuHc

Nighttime Rallies
Bab Qibli http://youtu.be/M0DRiZko6Nw

Hama Province

Kafrenboudeh: The final tally for yesterday’s massacre stands at 20, still people took to the streets in drives today http://youtu.be/d95EpHOf37s Shaizar: members of the FSA openly take part of the local rally and are given heroes’ welcome http://youtu.be/lK6AA_LPIq8

Daytime Rallies
Taybat Al-Imam http://youtu.be/p-JMjGlaVTM (pre-rally preparation) http://youtu.be/PTT9nXlXIoU Hilfaya http://youtu.be/NWNj2ofzCn4 Khattab http://youtu.be/RFlm4cYW3J8 Karnaz http://youtu.be/dITKEXysWsQ Kafrenboudeh http://youtu.be/ROqQhND428w Ellatamneh http://youtu.be/q36n13L1nPE Eltweini http://youtu.be/gBeYy0afNWY Eljalmah http://youtu.be/pOEMwusy0-0 Mourek http://youtu.be/VRfYSLzqLr8 Kafar Zeiteh http://youtu.be/DNMy3fB0fSc Breidij http://youtu.be/nJFf59KPDPs


Idlib

Another Lt. Col. defects , Emad Al-Murr http://youtu.be/TnDPCQGvbfc Khan Shaikhoon: Members of the FSA take part in the rally http://youtu.be/uWUHKvvdbfQ

Daytime Rallies
Ihsem http://youtu.be/6yeR0STHaWA Binnish http://youtu.be/OBqMWUKwyVo Kafar Yahmoul http://youtu.be/VYs_BX0vqkA Taftanaz http://youtu.be/ubz9r7Nczrs Kafar Takhareem http://youtu.be/uOZCSya3lvI Gilli http://youtu.be/sz5DclsqAFA Afes http://youtu.be/qwOEFvK1sdQ Ram Hamdan http://youtu.be/XUETccJX0-I Atameh http://youtu.be/OQMXfZq_BqY Bsheiriyeh http://youtu.be/42RLuCdZkOk Habeet http://youtu.be/5-xEea6SF7o Darkoush http://youtu.be/JkvGhWSPTNQ Zaradna http://youtu.be/IEoCCBHl2T0 Sarmada http://youtu.be/grqUtneIDaE Salqeen http://youtu.be/NC4e1EClAKU Ma’arrat Al-Nouman http://youtu.be/7Kurj04oEd4 Sarmeen http://youtu.be/lqOITjdGri0 Kastan http://youtu.be/8KlwerYPxr8 Ma’arrat Masreen http://youtu.be/Vgv5fvip9WU Idlib City http://youtu.be/WgHw3PL6yJc , http://youtu.be/Qrz049tYq_c Kafrenbel http://youtu.be/pf62VNPRRwU Haass http://youtu.be/XWpmkASDTbE Sfohin http://youtu.be/IvXf6S1ojes


Deraa/Hauran
Deraa City

Al-Balad: tanks storm in http://youtu.be/Phzp-C_uOg4

Daytime Rallies
Mahatah (Saddd) http://youtu.be/1hz9K_E6C_0 (Kashif) http://youtu.be/uj0SzND6bdk

Deraa/Hauran Province

Harrah: Protesters http://youtu.be/90PYFakk3jo come under heavy fire http://youtu.be/C3csWIlzy8s , http://youtu.be/psK-a8aJiNQ Protesters remain defiant http://youtu.be/YDFnVfQ0sgc , http://youtu.be/KISIMRLSAnw , http://youtu.be/r9PABHv-8iY , http://youtu.be/SsbK3jl2uf4 , http://youtu.be/1HYERE1Nkkk Young man taking his last breaths http://youtu.be/LWrgfF4omn0 , http://youtu.be/ssteySwQD5k , http://youtu.be/_qtzyRwbzlk Locals organize an immediate funeral for him http://youtu.be/06PAmPR-IX8 Bosra: protesters http://youtu.be/egwfNajdmGc come under fire http://youtu.be/XqBncdOBvDo Namar: protesters come under fire http://youtu.be/ypJBp_aNuLs Loyalists roam the streets http://youtu.be/iD8omkrfwYo Heet: Funeral http://youtu.be/m0CIMI5qASI Kafar Shams: martyr http://youtu.be/UeNokZryKH4 Jassem: sounds of nighttime clashes between loyalists and rebels http://youtu.be/0AAyirypZ5U

Daytime Rallies
Nahteh http://youtu.be/L4oWMy74UDg Ankhel http://youtu.be/V0I1LdOBglo Jizeh http://youtu.be/omu7RcP-qs8 Yadoudeh http://youtu.be/A1bGwq2KGAw Na’eemah http://youtu.be/OSNK5LeRaG8 Mleihah Sharqiyeh http://youtu.be/mT3OuogBerU Ataman http://youtu.be/9oiaM4N05yg Hraak http://youtu.be/7wk4UQP5n7U Khirbet Al-Ghazaleh http://youtu.be/Zr7FvNIqb8o Nasseeb http://youtu.be/aAiMox5lh3U Mseifrah http://youtu.be/XIjocekUMJA Abtaa http://youtu.be/YPgU1ws06EY Mleihah Gharbiyeh http://youtu.be/IPddzERhNp4 Saham http://youtu.be/QFR_6mItHx4 Basr Al-Harir http://youtu.be/6nNCgfjimDk Da’el http://youtu.be/Mipt0Jv4HO4 Karak Sharqi http://youtu.be/WUf6zC4yCN4 Taybah http://youtu.be/jtwn4-lBCjo


Aleppo
Aleppo City

Sukkari: protesters http://youtu.be/esneuMsg2oM come under fire http://youtu.be/hxnKDM-peNs , http://youtu.be/hSepN6__NqE Myassar: protesters http://youtu.be/nlb79H5L-vc clash with loyalist security forces http://youtu.be/Gzsjzf-324Q Firdoss: nighttime funeral for a local activist http://youtu.be/w7igz1N33xM

Daytime Rallies
Mashhad http://youtu.be/lLOiiTp34qA Kallasseh http://youtu.be/uRrivZyl3V0 Ansari http://youtu.be/yPm6_5esI9U Firdoss http://youtu.be/aoqVsnSW05g , http://youtu.be/1Bd1NVQGpv4 Marjeh http://youtu.be/NFQn_vy26fk Salaheddine http://youtu.be/F2wGVn92wbU

Aleppo Province

Jarablos: protesters come under fire http://youtu.be/7ePbiUh_xRQ one dies: his funeral http://youtu.be/aPfh0HO7ms0

Daytime Rallies
Kobani http://youtu.be/Mu0ITJT-2_k Elbab http://youtu.be/CDvLLiNfXaU Dar Azzah http://youtu.be/FhqH0xtKxz0 Hardtaneen http://youtu.be/ak-SfZENAYE Kafar Hamrah http://youtu.be/9K5jktx7EXU Tal Rif’aat http://youtu.be/adE2E1RNxSM Marei http://youtu.be/9JbqtlDtO7Y Routian http://youtu.be/_9gaKk_wfhE Anadan http://youtu.be/ErXeR9wTTDs Bayanoun http://youtu.be/PPFIvFTHcmU Tereb Sabeh http://youtu.be/t1w5r3PDRGg Managh http://youtu.be/HuBCndW0adk Hreitan http://youtu.be/hzZ6mRIsInM

Nighttime Rallies
Turkman Bareh http://youtu.be/rvPKZ0eH3VU


Deir Ezzor

Deir Ezzor City: Clashes between loyalists and rebels took place in several neighborhoods throughout the city, leaving few martyrs, and scores of wounded. Martyr http://youtu.be/LQQiIvoCzI0 Qouriyeh: tanks and loyalists in the streets http://youtu.be/87P9GmFyM3o

Daytime Rallies
Deir Ezzor City (Moazafeen) http://youtu.be/Hilmhc2kMuc Khareetah http://youtu.be/-4PYyTsHkBI

Nighttime Rallies
Albou Kamal http://youtu.be/SEpjVlCr8eE


Hassakeh

Often in their rallies, the Kurds, who make up over 60% of the population of the population of Hassakeh, and who have been leading the protest movement in the province, carry banners in support of federalism and the Kurdish National Council.

Daytime Rallies
Qamishlo http://youtu.be/Dpb7uE83mnE Amoudah http://youtu.be/Y5rVVmqRUFo Dirbassiyeh http://youtu.be/ALxUdRll_WY Seri Kanye http://youtu.be/IjPSOxQBuRs Deirik (funeral) http://youtu.be/T1ViKrJ0aKE Ghuweiran http://youtu.be/snqQBUKmZd4 Hassakeh City (Mufti) http://youtu.be/ArHFYGkUBRc


Lattakia

Daytime Rallies
Hiffeh (Bkas) http://youtu.be/cGxectAWeD0 (Msheirafeh) http://youtu.be/m2N9yxU2Qlk (Babna & Jankeel) http://youtu.be/DZVbrARlxtY

Clap Off!

2012-02-17T00:08:00.001-08:00

The story in Syria is still quite simple for all attempts atmuddying the waters, motives and intentions: the Assads are trying to surviveby doing everything they can to plunge the country into civil strife. Theinternational community has an obligation to stop them, something that cannotbe done by leaving protesters to fend for themselves or by adopting the Assads’version of events.

Thursday February 16, 2012

Today’s death toll: 70,including 19 political detainees who were executed by loyalist militias alongthe Ariha-Jisr Ashoughour Highway in Idlib Province. 12 more were killed in thetown of Kafrenboudeh in Hama Province, 3 in the town of Madaya In RuralDamascus. More deaths reported in Deraa City and Albou Kamal (Deir EzzorProvince) and in Homs City as well as the towns of Houleh, Rastan and Qusayr inHoms Province.

The bombing campaignagainst Baba Amr and Insha’aat neighborhoods in Homs City has witnessed furtherinstantiation.

More locals have beenarrested in Zabadani, amidst worsening humanitarian conditions. 4 loyalisttroops were killed in clashes with rebels in Hama Province.

In Damascus City, a majorfuneral for an activist killed by loyalist militias came under fire.

More high level defectionscontinue to take place, with Major General Fayiz Amr coming as the latest case.In taped statements. Maj. Gen. Amr confirmed the use of poison gas againstprotesters in Rastan but “on a limited scale.” He also spoke of the presence ofIranian advisors taking active part in planning the ongoing crackdown.

Important Note: There ismuch confusion concerning the official website of the SNC. So let me clarifythis: the first result that comes on the search engine is not it andis actually a fake website meant to discredit the SNC by making seem that it isconnected to Al-Qaeda. This here is anArabic website created early on by people affiliated with the SNC but is notthe official the website of the SNC. This is the official website of theSNC.

News

AtWork in Syria, Times Correspondent Dies

U.N.Assembly Votes Overwhelmingly to Condemn Syria

USblames al-Qaida of Iraq for Syrian bombings

Exclusive:Venezuela ships fuel to war-torn Syria: traders

SyriaArrests Iconic Blogger Ghazzawi, Rights Activist Darwish

Op-Eds & Special Reports

'Theyare pushing Syria into a religious war that they will certainly get'

AlAtārib pays price for bid to keep border road open

Between aRock and a Hard Place: The Armenians in Syria

HowSyria's Assad plans to survive

DeathSings A Lullaby

Syria rebels nowinclude al-Qaida in Iraq, and group is tied to bombings, US officials say

I just wish that adifferent title was used in this Washington Post article. Syrian resistanceleaders have no sympathy or ties to Al-Qaeda. Moreover, what James Clapperactall;y said does not allow for this sweeping assertion. He said that theattacks in Damascus and Aleppo bear 'all the earmarks of an al-Qaida-likeattack.' Previously, intelligence officials said that they have no conclusiveevidence to say that these were indeed Al-Qaeda attacks. In other words, whatwe have here are theories and suppositions, and that’s how they should bereported.

Let’s not forget herewhat we know about the Assad regime:

· They have staged in-country terroristattacks before, especially when they needed to detract attention away from theirtroubling behavior (the attack on the U.S. Embassy in 2006, among others thattook place in that period)

· They have from the very beginning oftheir current predicament shown that their main plan calls for plunging thecountry into a sectarian quagmire. As such, they are the greatest beneficiariesof such attacks.

· Previous intelligence reports datingback from the 2003 onward have shown that the Assads have managed to infiltrateAl-Qaeda network in the Levant, effectively taking control of it andmanipulating it to their interest.

· Ever since the beginning of theRevolution, the Assad have released hundreds of jihadi elements that they havehad languishing in their prisons, including the Al-Qaeda Number Four and themastermind of the 7/7 attacks in Madrid.

So, if there is AQactivity in Syria, it’s not a case of the chicken coming home to roost but ofclientalism and manipulation taking to the next level. Jihadi networks,including Al-Qaeda, have for long been one of the main weapons the Assads havein their arsenals. If they are active in country now, we know who to blame, ifwe choose to analyze things with our minds wide open. Otherwise, we’re betteroff shutting our Clapper.

ASyrian resistance leader's plea to the world

As I follow up on theSkype call I helped arrange at Foundation for Defense of Democracies betweenresistance leaders on the ground in Rural Damascus and Washingtonian policyexperts and members of the media, I facilitated communications with one ofthose leaders, Muhhamd Zuka (AKA Mohamad Zoka), and translated an article byhim highlighting the main demands and expectations of the Syrian resistance toAssad rule at this stage, as well as serving to introduce us to these rebels.

“Theworld has no reason to be afraid of us. This revolution was launched to reclaimthe future for freedom and democracy. For this, we should be engaged andsupported. We are not one color, but a rainbow, committed to protecting ournational diversity and the values of tolerance for which Syrian society hasalways been known -- not because the world wants it, but because it is ourheritage. Had we had any other agenda, the world would have already seen signsof that on the ground. It has been almost a year since the revolution began,yet, despite the regime's provocations, we remain committed to national unity,and we shall not waver.”

Defectionson the increase all over the country: These are just a few of the defectionsthat took place over the last 2 days only

Over 200 troopsannounce their defection on Al-Jazeerah in the Jabal Al-Zawiyeh regionin Idlib Province http://youtu.be/NpJss5jyqBU

Homs/Rastan http://youtu.be/a1VEuJhgEk4 , http://youtu.be/kt2AeILZnes , http://youtu.be/gWtL4g-a-oc Homs:a new fighting unit formed http://youtu.be/lZs6_3kzEtg

Hama Province http://youtu.be/zvKGz4j-9PA , DeraaProvince http://youtu.be/9CqCxAvOFng

Former loyalists announce theirdefections http://youtu.be/LHC9BpBIJBQ

New fighting unitestablished http://youtu.be/ooPioTJT1VAAnd another http://youtu.be/zlsgwY7Meag

Major General FayizAmr,head of the Director of the Air Technical School, announced his defection http://youtu.be/tCYqCSA2wtM ColonelMuhammad Ali Khateeb, Office of the Inspector General of the Armed Forces,announces his defection http://youtu.be/Fi3g2BksaQU

Rallies continue to take place all over the country as they have been over the last few months. Student rallies (high school and junior high students) in particular have become part of daily life, often compensating for failure by adults to stage their own due to heavy security presence. By now clips of these rallies have become too familiar which is why I am not covering them as much as I used below both in order to save time, as well as to keep the focus on the main events.
Homs
Homs City

Baba Amr: the pounding with rockets continue http://youtu.be/4spOrKjvezI , http://youtu.be/plzAZScii_0 , http://youtu.be/nPyA2PNuEL8 , http://youtu.be/FeBm7LCr6Js , http://youtu.be/wcFOwSPLZEQ A whole house comes crashing down as a result of pounding http://youtu.be/VR8mGa4B_xM Impact of pounding http://youtu.be/SedcrC7qp2o , http://youtu.be/_H2Sfx49m-g , http://youtu.be/vUl2_vinzg8 , http://youtu.be/dAQnlbTgXb0 Insha’aat: the pounding continues under the rain http://youtu.be/97Ok3dPeLGM Loyalist tanks and troops patrol the streets http://youtu.be/AMLTkUiw4Tk Impact of pounding http://youtu.be/C34mFKT-6Vg

Nighttime Rallies
Ghoutah http://youtu.be/TOQRP1dKS7Q Qoussour http://youtu.be/48BiQ7-l6Ek Wa’er http://youtu.be/lwUd-k9sdFA Khaldiyeh http://youtu.be/ZsRIIGLeZFY

Homs Province

Houleh: martyred baby http://youtu.be/-0t8swxKT1I Rastan: children climb on top of a tank captured by the FSA http://youtu.be/J6gAwS2sfKU Impact of shelling http://youtu.be/P00Jxkbj5_o Teer Ma’allah: funeral http://youtu.be/Q8fOChoIOEo

Daytime Rallies
Houleh http://youtu.be/26ZB23jviBQ

Nighttime Rallies
Qusayr http://youtu.be/kDtbkq39H98


Damascus
Damascus City

Mazzeh: thousands attend a funeral for local activist in a neighborhood a short drive away from the presidential palace http://youtu.be/SIAVVvFFVgQ , http://youtu.be/Gsn_FGULlrM , http://youtu.be/Jh95WgiXLKc , http://youtu.be/yNg88XbpgoA , http://youtu.be/nIG-NqrgZNg

Daytime Rallies
Qadam http://youtu.be/BKR_dfxTwYc Sitti Zeinab http://youtu.be/e6ruZ9Whbuo

Nighttime Rallies
Kafar Sousseh http://youtu.be/ySOkZhJtUlA

Eastern Ghoutah

Douma: Funeral for a local who died under torture in detention http://youtu.be/enA8G_qX744

Damascus South

Defectors sabotage the communications lines to Damascus Airport http://youtu.be/D2XAma7T9i0

Daytime Rallies
Qatana (all girls rally) http://youtu.be/aEExeBq78zo

West (Zabadani and Wadi Barada)

Zabadani: local FSA fighters blow a tank that was shelling the town http://youtu.be/e68vODY8nZk

North (The Qalamoun Region )

Nighttime Rallies
Eltal http://youtu.be/6eEUiciVSm8 Qarrah http://youtu.be/wHRuq8Whg6A


Hama
Hama City

Daytime Rallies
Taybat Al-Imam http://youtu.be/pqacdx29IX8

Nighttime Rallies
Bab Qibli http://youtu.be/fyL6_a1eFxg

Hama Province

Kafrenboudeh: victims of a recent round of pounding (gruesome) http://youtu.be/ciQXH9pZJIg Their funeral http://youtu.be/ZWoesakHIp0 There are twelve martyrs in all http://youtu.be/sGmQPz1wtLo Salamiyeh: Funeral http://youtu.be/GOa5C9-ECsI

Daytime Rallies
Ellatamneh http://youtu.be/YDsmVEP4u0Q


Idlib

19 locals from the village of Sanfarah and neighboring villages in the Sahel Al-Rouj Region were taken away from their homes in a raid by loyalist militias then executed on the highway connecting Ariha and Jisr Ashoughour http://youtu.be/LsVw7vZryoE , http://youtu.be/AOZpU-0PzyQ Close-ups of some of the martyrs http://youtu.be/h8zirI-2EsU , http://youtu.be/rIyUyi56CO8 , http://youtu.be/ovbZwzZe9U0 , http://youtu.be/NiX0ncu8uRE Sanfarah Martyrs http://youtu.be/7vXm4EEUxlY More martyrs http://youtu.be/Ttf_nQaGiDI , http://youtu.be/FNeK6SSe51s Ma’arrat Al-Nouman: Funeral http://youtu.be/U8sKicPp2Sk Sarmeen: Funeral http://youtu.be/rw2l_Ac7tz8

Daytime Rallies
Jarjanaz http://youtu.be/d43HWPC6024 Ma’arrat Masreen http://youtu.be/h-MS8pqBg5s Darkoush http://youtu.be/oA7JqIFgYLc


Deraa/Hauran
Deraa City

Al-Balad: Sounds of gunfire can be heard in the areas surrounding the city at dawn denoting a battle between loyalist militias and members of the local resistance http://youtu.be/jqvGx2e42Z0 , http://youtu.be/j_jTdkwHUfE , http://youtu.be/NUtb4N--BlE Qoussour: more armored vehicles head towards Al-Balad http://youtu.be/kyUfO9wzHPM Gunfire intensifies soon after their arrival http://youtu.be/fP4wE1xF-Io , http://youtu.be/52aNoZy3UoE , http://youtu.be/DTdiZxRfV9g Occupants of this car were hit http://youtu.be/Pf75Uy2RwnQ

Deraa/Hauran Province

Basr Al-Harir: tanks pound their way into town http://youtu.be/I_kA_oKAlWU Gunfire reverberates in the streets http://youtu.be/AOQwEiusboA Mhajeh: funeral http://youtu.be/gQX9gzKArKk Da’el: student rally disperse when tanks pass through the streets http://youtu.be/bAzNlyoNrEM

Daytime Rallies
Hraak http://youtu.be/B0AvrQAJjXY Abtaa http://youtu.be/8Q7iLsejMB8


Aleppo
Aleppo City

Nighttime Rallies
Sheikh Maqsoud http://youtu.be/WRlSZp_1xYg

Aleppo Province

Al-Atarib: the pounding went on for another day http://youtu.be/DNlla174sls Martyrs http://youtu.be/UmsR3IqmF5U , http://youtu.be/oqw1HlUssOI

Nighttime Rallies
Tal Rif’aat http://youtu.be/YTqoSjG2cF0


Deir Ezzor

Nighttime Rallies
Qourieyh http://youtu.be/N0151I-N09o


Hassakeh

Daytime Rallies
Qamishlo http://youtu.be/B75Y6nwaJK0

The Killing Routine!

2012-02-16T00:09:00.001-08:00

Killing through bombardment, snipers activities or clashes betweenloyalists and local resistance groups, has become so much a part of daily life inSyria, that its cessation, no matter how briefly, will constitute anaberration. But it welcome when it finally happens. But for now, all areresigned for more of the same.

Wednesday February 15, 2012

Today’s death toll: 52.

News

Asviolence continues, Syria to hold referendum

Syriaconstitution vote called 'window dressing'

Op-Eds & Special Reports

Interference:Washington should back the Free Syrian Army in its insurgency against Basharal-Assad, since toppling his regime would strike a blow against Iran

Syrianrebels are losing faith in the West

SunniExtremists May Be Aiding Al Qaeda’s Ambitions in Syria, Analysts Say

Turkey at the forefrontagain

Listeningto the Syrian Resistance

“Why is Syria not as important as Egypt andLibya?” asked “Muhammad,” one of the resistance leaders on the Skype callconnecting the offices of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies with anundisclosed location outside Damascus. His comments were translated by FDDfellow Ammar Abdulhamid, a prominent Syrian dissident who was forced into exilein 2005.

Homs
Homs City

Baba Amr: the pounding continues with direct hits with rockets and mortar rounds on homes and residential neighborhoods http://youtu.be/_jKKRbuzVgk , http://youtu.be/N50SWh7LBlA , http://youtu.be/p3yazZMPKxg , http://youtu.be/Br72jpBPyvU , http://youtu.be/I4g9aWhIx60 Zubeir Mosque is hit http://youtu.be/SwdA-MP5K0Y Suns shines all over Homs, except in Baba Amr where oil pipeline were hit again by the pounding and the neighborhood gets covered with thick black smoke http://youtu.be/cZYncb3264s The blown-up pipelines http://youtu.be/I4QzTu_fD2s , http://youtu.be/rtMqDbKVOVA The black smoke covers the neighborhood of Bab Dreib as well among other neighborhoods http://youtu.be/7DC_6a5nPeo Impact of pounding http://youtu.be/5-_N0YNKLlU , http://youtu.be/pvKF6KA_vx8 , http://youtu.be/mVarRFdmw70 , http://youtu.be/nsmaWlVZPfQ A local paramedic gives his life for the cause http://youtu.be/vsnchh_vsWc Martyr http://youtu.be/ihprhkf6tec Insha’aat: tanks in the streets http://youtu.be/sJu_1i-4xJQ Destroyed homes http://youtu.be/1QyYU6hckN0 Driving from Baba Amr to Insha’aat http://youtu.be/2Ele58iIX-s Karm Al-Zeitun: the deadly crossing http://youtu.be/hIicj8VWfS4 a demolished home http://youtu.be/dRhJZcnL5l8

Nighttime Rallies
Qoussour http://youtu.be/5HLNrZzQ6F4 Wa’er http://youtu.be/tZhYXCPDYcs Jouret Al-Shayah http://youtu.be/vEiYv_VoaOA

Homs Province

Rastan: Wounded http://youtu.be/6BeosjIJ7Cs Sample of the rounds used http://youtu.be/q6SFM8KZuLg Mortar round explode in the street http://youtu.be/1MEc4bnyMyE Lt. Col. Bassam Al-Sheikh Ali announces his defection and his joining the FSA http://youtu.be/DujnVweuAfA Qusayr: funeral for three martyrs http://youtu.be/IbsVtAN1Iu8 More defections http://youtu.be/zOQiUKjAuU4

Daytime Rallies
Houleh http://youtu.be/kcF90nz44MQ

Nighttime Rallies
Tadmor http://youtu.be/szCP17VOwp0


Damascus
Damascus City

Barzeh: loyalist militias storm the restive neighborhood http://youtu.be/OsyLj-xnkc0 , http://youtu.be/Ib113oE41Rc

Nighttime Rallies
Kafar Sousseh http://youtu.be/Pb5UzIbdYgk Jobar http://youtu.be/ozPeA8lZM9s Midan http://youtu.be/IE2XpRoI5Jc

Damascus South

Artouz: funeral for a local female martyr http://youtu.be/6t-p8QgMzNI Post-funeral rally http://youtu.be/2-tnynr_62E

Nighttime Rallies
Zakiyeh http://youtu.be/ozPeA8lZM9s

West (Zabadani and Wadi Barada)

Zabadani: as loyalist troops carry out a major arrest campaign, touching more than 100 locals, in contravention to the agreement that allowed them to enter the town, new videos are surfacing of the crackdown on Feb 9: The pounding http://youtu.be/DyBgbbcGPNk Martyrs http://youtu.be/UIbK1h_uoRU , http://youtu.be/S2lb6lJDSms Wounded http://youtu.be/urqc5gq3z8M


Hama
Hama City

A victim of shelling takes his last breaths http://youtu.be/2-_UUyv1xds , http://youtu.be/uJ1wwxs5qDc

Nighttime Rallies
Bab Qibli http://youtu.be/zlWb1ZZOw10

Hama Province

A new fighting unit is formed by Col. Raslan Ibrahim under the FSA banner http://youtu.be/tOTwKEfxeVs Kafrenboudeh: is pounded http://youtu.be/FF_jBj_u7nA Treimseh: two martyrs http://youtu.be/0_AScPPjQTA

Daytime Rallies
Taybat Al-Imam http://youtu.be/vNFLU4a_dCw Kafar Zeiteh http://youtu.be/gZ9QAYXI0s8


Idlib

New defectors are embraced by old http://youtu.be/N7FVU8I0Efw Sarmeen: under fire http://youtu.be/luGG_u0bnZs A child martyr http://youtu.be/8t2GxWn66l4 , http://youtu.be/3SIqGhipLPA His burial http://youtu.be/OjpqgqO5zAw Ariha: Funeral http://youtu.be/o94WlcRphqU Khan Shaikhoon: Martyr http://youtu.be/AQmhbE3Wbxo Saraqib: treating the wounded http://youtu.be/nt5ptp-GZgs

Daytime Rallies
Kafroumah http://youtu.be/CaZpmzqBIjw , http://youtu.be/9fCNIHK-z6k Talmens http://youtu.be/bAc2KZDA8uI Binnish (all girls) http://youtu.be/2q-UAhPfdBg


Deraa/Hauran
Deraa City

Al-Balad: comes under fire at night http://youtu.be/QbeMK0l9S-U , http://youtu.be/jVMsINnHsTc

Nighttime Rallies
Mahatah (Sadd) http://youtu.be/Uxv8XFTjAHE

Deraa/Hauran Province

Na’eemeh: a baby martyr http://youtu.be/vCNDvnOHccY Kaheel: Girl Martyr http://youtu.be/hTZ3T8A0BkI Tafas gets under fire at night http://youtu.be/pVm3mFMIHQc

Daytime Rallies
Kafar Shams http://youtu.be/kKXXUzY7jSQ


Aleppo
Aleppo Province

Al-Atarib is being pounded for 2^nd day in row http://youtu.be/SQrhEo26q60 Marty (Feb 14) http://youtu.be/U-R_tZWFHzw Another http://youtu.be/WpSAIKbjH-g Burying the martyrs http://youtu.be/B9b2CpfzwkM At night, people fought back and burnt the cars of the security forces invading their town http://youtu.be/PQ0_83_-efM , http://youtu.be/FpkaQAvfRvY More defectors join the local unit of the FSA http://youtu.be/SbcFgtwvJko

Daytime Rallies
Jeeneh http://youtu.be/uVy3eRTVHxU


Deir Ezzor

Albou Kamal: scenes from yesterday’s massacre http://youtu.be/Six8qLf7rBQ

Nighttime Rallies
Khareetah http://youtu.be/5Gt2GHMv8Qg


Hassakeh

Daytime Rallies
Dirbassiyeh http://youtu.be/hkK8OZTutuo

Nighttime Rallies
Ghuweiran http://youtu.be/IdEudv3FlsM