Assad’s Iron Fist!

Assad’s Iron Fist gives him more deaths but less control. But he’s too cut off from reality to notice the difference, and too much of a megalomaniac to care. That will be his undoing. The challenge ahead has always been about preventing the undoing of Assad from paving the way to the undoing of the entire country.

Sunday 15, 2012 – Today’s rallies are dedicated to showing solidarity with the inhabitants of the towns of Zabadani and Madaya in rural Damascus.

Today’s death toll: 13 (Saturday) 32 (Sunday). The breakdown:

The pounding the town of Zabadani in rural Damascus has been ongoing since Friday afternoon. Defectors in the region gave loyalist army troops 24 hours to halt their attack otherwise they will begin targeting artesian wells in the region which constitute the main water supply to the city of Damascus.

Links

U.N. chief to Syria's al-Assad: 'Stop killing your people'

Qatari Leader Favors Sending Arab Troops to Syria

A grim outlook for both intervention in Syria and sanctions on Iran

Fear of Civil War Mounts in Syria as Crisis Deepens

Syrian soldier 'decapitated seven-month-old boy in front of his mother after finding suspected rebel was not at home'

U.N. chief calls on Syria to stop killings as Assad issues amnesty

"Each previous offer has resulted in the release of a few hundreds only, while thousands more have been arrested," said U.S.-based Syrian opposition activist and blogger Ammar Abdulhamid. "Assad gives little with one hand, takes much more with the other. His words are always designed to deceive and his actions always designed to repress and reestablish control."

A new cartoon by the famous Syrian cartoonist Ali Ferzat

Tunisia: Tunisians stage a rally in support of the Syrian Revolution in the capital Tunis http://youtu.be/KntzRgO6DAg , http://youtu.be/I8HQVvopnrQ

HOMS CITY

Member of Syrian Parliament, Emad Ghalioun, from Homs Province, announces his defection on Al-Arabiya http://youtu.be/-lKHdUQrdng

Baba Amr: Local Protest Leader Khalid Abou Salah speaks at his brother’s funeral “I used to feel ashamed that we have no martyrs in the family, I am not anymore” http://youtu.be/EWkDrUvyS5g http://youtu.be/6cY6mURqqJk Locals unable to rescue a wounded old man trapped in his car by snipers http://youtu.be/jtHgglE3fvI Eventually, however, he is saved along with a local woman http://youtu.be/3aQcUevN3oU Rescuing more of the wounded of today’s random shelling http://youtu.be/5iHzoz-HQnE , http://youtu.be/l9gf18bsO9w , http://youtu.be/dkvz0ntWNlk , http://youtu.be/zHtwgDzpyLY , http://youtu.be/MHxmg7b1ysM A mother’s grief http://youtu.be/YJ1ikoU7MkU At night, loyalists set fire to some of the local fields surrounding the neighborhood http://youtu.be/qqT1ifoMpLU

Karm Al-Zeitun: Impact of pounding http://youtu.be/kkEqJAV-MEk Loyalist checkpoint http://youtu.be/4REZu0v5l-k , http://youtu.be/Pwp5dsJjcXs , http://youtu.be/a_YSbim9sRI The wounded http://youtu.be/75WlHq05x0Q , http://youtu.be/yXZnbc0jlXo A female martyr http://youtu.be/UIbL_rVvIaU

Insha’aat: The neighborhood gets pounded http://youtu.be/3QiVIxdws7U Home catches fire http://youtu.be/39gO9uv4pa0 , http://youtu.be/gEleuvctDig Al-Rifai Neighborhood gets pounded as well http://youtu.be/kC8n7p5xBAM , http://youtu.be/66316O9lVpU

Wa’er gets pounded, leaving this martyr http://youtu.be/CC6zs5t7soI His funeral http://youtu.be/bjZEFe6kflA Deir Baalbah: A mother grief http://youtu.be/Jgqs-ZX_pME and a funeral http://youtu.be/lrxnDVMDd3Y

Bab Al-Sibaa: A martyr http://youtu.be/lkPw2OTDpHE Crossing the street is a risky undertaking http://youtu.be/N2ikby4gCV8 Bab Houd: Local activist, Omar Al-Tillawi, takes us on a tour of the neighborhood even as it comes under fire http://youtu.be/m776YOAlcjg , http://youtu.be/3nwQisVJsA0

Bab Dreib: leaked video shows loyalists in action http://youtu.be/p16ATgxGekg Checkpoints and sniper positions surround the neighborhood of Karm Al-Shami http://youtu.be/dkErrHdMQNU

Rallies Al-Rifai http://youtu.be/Ov0DOESagDI Nighttime Bab Dreib http://youtu.be/WZTd8zGJ3Z0 , http://youtu.be/KTA69i3Xhe4 Baba Amr http://youtu.be/EwExqkbD4kA , http://youtu.be/uNZhg7lRT9U Ghoutah http://youtu.be/eM4UhOPGrMY Safsafeh http://youtu.be/6iYKfKPYF6w Qoussour http://youtu.be/eY9eCv01pco Wa’er http://youtu.be/5rPZk3L9ibo , http://youtu.be/7i2t-CkX6dU Qarabees http://youtu.be/eN_s633ixP0 Deir Baalbah http://youtu.be/3813gGkkIw0 Khaldiyeh http://youtu.be/pWiY0wbxAv4 Bab Houd http://youtu.be/8D3_Wmgqd00 Karm Al-Shami http://youtu.be/PVnl7HyCq7w

HOMS PROVINCE

Houleh: protesters http://youtu.be/Ht7HzqZcWY4 , http://youtu.be/BkYMjXaVPvM came under fire. In retaliation, local defectors clashed with loyalists and alter announced the formation of a new unit affiliated with the FSA http://youtu.be/NHqrg84tGcI Impact of pounding http://youtu.be/uEIn8xbYPz0

Tadmor: locals organize a rally http://youtu.be/nOpSu9JXXac to receive the AL monitors http://youtu.be/9B1kbpvaDvQ , http://youtu.be/V_z8945fjqw Locals talk to the monitors in the local mosque http://youtu.be/tyUV_xisVtw

Qseir A martyr http://youtu.be/f0j8No6RqZg A funeral http://youtu.be/5i9FrBEwlmU

Rallies Teer Ma’allah http://youtu.be/rSuasz7hdn4 , http://youtu.be/c48Mehcxqr0 Talbisseh http://youtu.be/EJUFjyBWdzs Innabeh http://youtu.be/VzenlWZemMA Tadmor http://youtu.be/lLkNSs6yUys Hassya http://youtu.be/tdJHTq6GPhw

DAMASCUS – WEST

As parts of Zabadani are pounded, people rally in other parts to declare that “God is greater than the oppressor” and that “Assad is the enemy of God” http://youtu.be/Yx5c0nIJYuY Treating the wounded http://youtu.be/sUevxXU7_eo , http://youtu.be/Z24Flt0taHQ , http://youtu.be/gEQbxOQaUWI , http://youtu.be/dLDW5VqJmTk

People wait for AL monitors http://youtu.be/vjlAeH4kjZU They arrive in town http://youtu.be/dsbRou7BQmQ , http://youtu.be/vhi4gGG02rU They talk to the locals http://youtu.be/8QCkQ0CZL9U They make some videos http://youtu.be/1-FULSU1ql8

The pounding of Zabadani resumes minutes after their departure http://youtu.be/ZfPxo7je7oY , http://youtu.be/eI1k14QRFFU Sample of the shells being used http://youtu.be/rs0h2d8OuFU A panoramic scene of the town http://youtu.be/7zDcoWFHSkc The sound of automatic gunfire http://youtu.be/mIkfEc0cG3k , http://youtu.be/l4LLhZfu02k The impact of shelling http://youtu.be/GjuBlyzM0Dg , http://youtu.be/8smJ9swFdKQ , http://youtu.be/HV9lZXIC2-k One of the tanks taking part in laying siege to the town http://youtu.be/nty_fWQMSuo As usual, loyalists target religious symbols by shooting up the minaret of Al-Amrah Mosque http://youtu.be/Er8E3FysSAY

At night, locals still rally under the cover of darkness http://youtu.be/yU4rRYmDup8 Later still, local members of the FSA repel an attempt at invading the town by loyalist troops http://youtu.be/mFXk5xcErhE

The nearby Madaya receives another AL delegation http://youtu.be/rhTBEc0oPkE Speaking with the locals http://youtu.be/Cb_wV9XpUNk

Nighttime Rallies Qudsaya http://youtu.be/WiUfipnHpWg

DAMASCUS – EAST

Douma women take part in a funeral (Jan 14) http://youtu.be/IqG3H8HFiOs BBC crew attends the funeral as well http://youtu.be/KS2Qa_u9hfQ The funeral http://youtu.be/I7alC45eu5s , http://youtu.be/P-xTKNwGRjY , http://youtu.be/tZ4lOKElM4E

Nighttime Rallies Hamouriyeh http://youtu.be/ukiG71uz60s , http://youtu.be/bPKsHBB4NBE Arbeen http://youtu.be/_RgnWwiSNmk , http://youtu.be/PLcONPveS2E Harasta http://youtu.be/E8ozeF4FIvc , http://youtu.be/egBvjHWCLfg Douma http://youtu.be/yEDP7PgfCAg , http://youtu.be/kA7S6JSpFNI Zamalka http://youtu.be/32ug0VWylcI Hazzeh http://youtu.be/p3x3oVHvzmk

DAMASCUS – NORTH

Rankous a funeral (Jan 14) http://youtu.be/sYoHUXozk_A A similar same day funeral http://youtu.be/JQwUrYLSWus , http://youtu.be/N8RAIBZoK9M for this martyr http://youtu.be/tRoebzABGDI and another in Dmeir turns into a rally telling Assad to go http://youtu.be/-5ZzWadUNG0

Rallies Qarrah http://youtu.be/KmG_eNSKTaM Assal Al-Ward http://youtu.be/abICNU232B4 Eltal http://youtu.be/UH8Rhqf-Q58

DAMASCUS CITY

Nighttime Rallies Barzeh http://youtu.be/pSZn-gESOPU , http://youtu.be/Qg4bm6Y3NII Kafar Sousseh http://youtu.be/zzX5reklDko Midan http://youtu.be/6_ui16uenOk Qaboun http://youtu.be/ig7EyCxREIc Qadam http://youtu.be/iy54_po3RIo

DAMASCUS – SOUTH

Kisweh An all-women rally http://youtu.be/6-FzLU0JyRo

Rallies Babbila http://youtu.be/ePYcA9Gse1A Qatana http://youtu.be/CNqj_cfc0NY

IDLIB

Kafar Haya: local units affiliated with FSA carry out an operation against loyalists killing 2 and confiscating what’s for them is a treasure trove of equipment and supplies: RPGs, Kalashnikovs, ammunitions, and night vision goggles http://youtu.be/YSPIEJE86ns

Ma’arrat Al-Nouman: AL monitors arrive in town and are received with a major rally http://youtu.be/1EY9nSWiCfM , http://youtu.be/vtJha8nkkno Local defectors affiliated with the Free Syrian Army meet with AL Monitors http://youtu.be/qQUR6PYjNSI It seems the monitors really know how to conduct a conversation. One of the defectors says that members of the Syrian Social National Party came to meet them pretending to be AL monitors and dressed in the same outfit http://youtu.be/PvOlC3nfN7A AL monitors meet with local protesters as well http://youtu.be/OcD-1xVMXGE Here they meet with some of the local mothers http://youtu.be/CQgW-3reBvw , http://youtu.be/zVyh0Dv94Xw

Kafrenbel: locals sing to Assad “we don’t want your amnesty, because we will never forgive you.” http://youtu.be/KAKVWqnsUeo

Kafroumah: protesters come under fire http://youtu.be/jSx3I0EJeRs even as they prepare to receive AL monitors http://youtu.be/m7XBrbj-LiE Heesh receives a delegation of AL monitors http://youtu.be/mO790tRP4ao

Khan Shaikhoon: A martyr http://youtu.be/0Kesy_Dz0ek And A rally http://youtu.be/bI820WA_D2A ¸ http://youtu.be/ijtd7j6GujI Ibleen locals stand up to loyalist troops http://youtu.be/WA3kSl1GSTk A funeral in Salqeen http://youtu.be/dWakkFOJf2k

Saraqib protesters http://youtu.be/66WmHVW1Nt8 come under fire http://youtu.be/mOGQPH_Yv1U as the AL delegation pays a visit to town, several injuries reported http://youtu.be/gAvVX3GAOP0 AL monitors meet with local members of the FSA http://youtu.be/LQEeIFht190

Ihsem protesters come under fire http://youtu.be/clYCs6jZAgA In Isqat, a funeral http://youtu.be/fgM-dSWGXBQ

Rallies Kafar Ouaid http://youtu.be/6X2cYmXZ1lQ Gilli http://youtu.be/ws_jcEnLziQ Ghadfah http://youtu.be/pTkMrWl1PqY Ma’ar Shamshah http://youtu.be/98PzkeAcCRQ Idlib City http://youtu.be/oG0S8-VZSiM

HAMA CITY

Hamidiyeh neighborhood comes under heavy fire in the morning http://youtu.be/VAldZNkRSDE Following a night of defiant rallies http://youtu.be/SaoWtY0-zjM

Nighttime Rallies Bab Qibli http://youtu.be/gfnKG7lT4rc , http://youtu.be/Fid29-WcPcQ Eleilaat http://youtu.be/KMJetPJPdWg Janoub Al-Malaab http://youtu.be/aa_8i6PCiw8 Aleppo Road http://youtu.be/hSqvnbpOHmY Frayeh http://youtu.be/Khjfk8f9pNA

HAMA PROVINCE

Protesters in Kafrenboudeh come under fire http://youtu.be/23EKBtXWfYs killing 5 people. In retaliation, local units of FSA conducted an operation against local loyalist security headquarters killing, according to the statement issued by the defectors, 47 loyalists, wounding 50, and destroying 2 armored vehicles. 1 defector as also killed http://youtu.be/WAgg_s_lIX4

Rallies Karnaz http://youtu.be/rgT-NcTHvf8

DERAA/HAURAN

Deraa City: Al-Balad http://youtu.be/2ZDa4YwyZgI Sadd http://youtu.be/2SLuK5ggiQo , http://youtu.be/a30v9bjcY4g , http://youtu.be/SWq9FAJNn74 Mahatah http://youtu.be/lrNvnP6-vKQ

Rallies Tafas http://youtu.be/vZq9jqp43gc Taybah http://youtu.be/mIBsIVSa4tM , http://youtu.be/OavB8oUAabY Hraak http://youtu.be/cwruWoMdoPc Nahteh http://youtu.be/xzrmQM44jG4 Sourah http://youtu.be/2utRFiVhyE8 Tseel http://youtu.be/UWfqpnFyBqg Nighttime Da’el http://youtu.be/oLLh6h-bItE , http://youtu.be/5qeWl7wxKN0 Nasseeb http://youtu.be/mJZGprWqZeU Mhajeh http://youtu.be/M-p6dYaaBOU

ALEPPO CITY

Sit-in at the College of Education in the University of Aleppo http://youtu.be/JMuQ9A9SAL8  A nighttime rally In Ashrafiyeh http://youtu.be/MZ2tAAgiEHs

ALEPPO PROVINCE

Kafar Nouran http://youtu.be/TgcT3S-CY50 Abismo http://youtu.be/7DyG4D-RSX0

DEIR EZZOR

Qouriyeh: Loyalists killed this man by shooting him point blank in the chest after they broke his teeth. They then buried him a in a shallow grave. His crime: filming their crackdown http://youtu.be/kBPWlHHYZoE

Rallies Albou Kamal http://youtu.be/bnwy5xWiwww , http://youtu.be/RwnMzLuHOHc , http://youtu.be/O5GXO8LwF_k Boukros http://youtu.be/_qDarwEeDGs

HASSAKEH

Amoudeh a funeral for a local defector http://youtu.be/UIzO09vppqA , http://youtu.be/8pEaXrEOnPQ

Qamishly an all-women rally http://youtu.be/ZUv4ClqRzCk , http://youtu.be/2ixesWLLF_c

TARTOUS

AL monitors arrive in the town of Banias which is completely controlled by loyalist security apparatuses like most coastal towns http://youtu.be/jPQChaFadHU