Syrian Revolution Digest: Neither Bullets Nor Snow!

Slowly but surely, the protest movement is gaining ground and the Assads are losing it, their only option right now is to plunge the country into chaos as a final act of revenge. With a measured international support, the protesters can defeat their designs.

Friday 13, 2012 - This Friday, and the remaining week is dedicated to showing support to the Free Syrian Army.

Today’s death toll: 26. The breakdown: 16 protesters (in Idlib, Deir Ezzor, Homs, Aleppo and Rural Damascus) and 10 defectors who fell in the town of Saraqib in the Idlib Province.

Loyalist troops stormed the towns of Zabadani and Madaya in Western Damascus and were pushed back by local units of the Free Syrian Army. The towns remain under siege, and communications with them remain severed. No word yet on casualties.

Today’s rallies took place under freezing conditions in most protest communities, and under snowy conditions in others.

Links

Life in Damascus far from normal as crisis deepens

Syria rallies in support of army defectors

Syrian tanks attack town amid civil war warning

Syrian opposition group, rebel army join forces

Russian-operated ship with bullets reaches Syria

Why won't the U.N. Security Council intervene in Syria?

One Cartoon Sums Up the Insanity of Syria's Crackdown

Kafrenbelisms: http://youtu.be/Iet-0X8n_V8 (Kafrenbel, Idlib Province, Jan 13, 2012)

Today’s rallies adopted the following slogan “The People want support to the Free Syrian Army”, because… (Taybat Al-Imam, Hama Province, jan 13, 2012)

HOMS CITY

The mounds of garbage filling up the streets of protest neighborhood in Homs City grew ever so high. Authorities have long stopped their garbage pickup services as part of their collective punishment measures against these neighborhoods, and the locals cannot do the work themselves as the myriad checkpoint and snipers prevent them from doing it. Malnutrition, the cold weather and the lack of heating and power all combine now to make disease a danger even more deadly than that posed by snipers and tank shells. But the fog of war and heat of battle blind all to all. The focus now is on the ongoing attempt by loyalist troops to penetrate into the heard of protest neighborhoods in Homs City: Bab Al-Sibaa, Khaldiyeh, Baba Amr, Bab Dreib, Jouret Al-Shayah, Bab Houd, Karm Al-Zeitun, and all constituent alleyways and streets. The Assads have been trying to do that since August 2011. Their current plan calls for simultaneous multipronged assault, and it seems to have gone into the implementation phase.

In Homs City, an attack by loyalist troops on Wadi Al-Sayeh (part of Khaldiyeh neighborhood) http://youtu.be/dQlQJjq1FOA , http://youtu.be/vuUEw2NYE9Y was met with active resistance from local defectors affiliated with the FSA who destroyed a BMP in the process http://youtu.be/p41eiqe2cFI , http://youtu.be/jPtp1maV94s Evacuating the wounded http://youtu.be/_hasevbi_Ms

Khaldiyeh: On Jan 12, the neighborhood came under intense fire http://youtu.be/OdzMXHT_M94 , http://youtu.be/D4pPQs7V57M that lasted through the night http://youtu.be/9aMPiWrYgmg The loyalist were trying to dislodge protesters but they failed, as their attack was repelled by local defectors. An impromptu funeral was held at dawn for one of the fallen http://youtu.be/Lj1gGRCjEXA a sniper’s niche http://youtu.be/m8PBq3F1vBQ Later, people rallied in support of the Free Syrian Army http://youtu.be/HSQ3umIQKwc Later still, loyalists resume their pounding http://youtu.be/bOW3f6lXbMU

Bab Dreib: Rescuing the wounded http://youtu.be/BK0VFrsByGc who fell as result of this pounding http://youtu.be/3GWMoHeq2qg But protesters from he neighborhood managed to find an isolated and sheltered corner where they could rally http://youtu.be/gYE4jY9x-vQ

Bab Tadmor: snipers in action http://youtu.be/EvQ-zIpYKbU In Bab Al-Sibaa a sniper injures a young man who was on his way back home following the mid-day rally http://youtu.be/W7CmSDqwCxA

Al-Rifai Neighborhood comes under fire http://youtu.be/ncHx9p98I7E So did Mreijeh http://youtu.be/-O9QHPsZNCk and Bab Al-Sibaa http://youtu.be/yaBhHXprRuU , http://youtu.be/HchbC7Sy6X8 and Jouret Al-Shayah http://youtu.be/91EqIs9vG_w In Karm Al-Zeitun, a tank in action http://youtu.be/vPAr_hBQjLE

At night of January 13, Bab Houd comes under intensive fire as loyalist troops keep searching for weak points that can allow them to penetrate into the heart of protest neighborhoods in the city http://youtu.be/LiFumAqMo3Y

A leaked video shows a rally staged by political prisoners in Homs Central Prison during a visit by AL monitors on Jan 4 http://youtu.be/Uwo-EAIHCNg

Rallies Deir Baalbah http://youtu.be/K38AyiwQ4i0 , http://youtu.be/fNRwuzn-AHI Baba Amr http://youtu.be/OW1TUNOMATo , http://youtu.be/WbWLQ5W8UwI Khaldiyeh http://youtu.be/RzTe9-gjA6I , http://youtu.be/cqGKlEq8vVs Shammas http://youtu.be/_hMjoFO03sQ Wa’er http://youtu.be/2vPwmEWUkLc , http://youtu.be/XheWF1bQNdY , http://youtu.be/5qk4kskwgfc Bab Houd http://youtu.be/zHnQhI5cUfg , http://youtu.be/2v4SuckvqkY Bani Sba’yi http://youtu.be/OD7L-BpETm8 Bab Al-Sibaa http://youtu.be/4DFxMyWLgsM , http://youtu.be/CmxnmjOsEk4 Qarabees http://youtu.be/DeE5izyDjkE Karm Al-Shami http://youtu.be/Y8l9CMFLhoo Al-Rifai http://youtu.be/4ORIy9_VXtM Sifsafeh http://youtu.be/xLaFmDTkbHA Wadi Al-Arab http://youtu.be/2_iX7n23Etc Qoussour http://youtu.be/fY3_MF2fS8U , http://youtu.be/96Bfic2hyjk , http://youtu.be/wDuzRXcBOiE Bab Tadmor http://youtu.be/8R3FHAazNII Ghoutah http://youtu.be/CCAbjJoy3lQ Bab Dreib http://youtu.be/Tunc1-yhvYI Karm Al-Zeitun http://youtu.be/aHi0KHlYpdU Massaken http://youtu.be/LcQGSdLG0aI Al-Hamrah http://youtu.be/RaqBmIf6Uhk Asheerah http://youtu.be/H1P2XD57Ilo Insha’aat http://youtu.be/3f0r-EipWyI Malaab http://youtu.be/giIt5y-fS9c

Nighttime Bab Houd http://youtu.be/5aedaDtQKyo Ghoutah http://youtu.be/jTaYbR6h0W0 Malaab http://youtu.be/-FK8HPfqVy4 Deir Baalbah http://youtu.be/6rDEDu6tL5o Karm Al-Shami http://youtu.be/-uiJQka5o-Y Baba Amr http://youtu.be/KuOsuB3SQ70 Jouret Al-Shayah http://youtu.be/9b3DfeRC0WU

HOMS PROVINCE

General Mouaffac Abdulkareem Hamzeh declares his defection during a rally in Qseir http://youtu.be/0c-ZFKp0nuA

Defectors from FSA unit located in Rastan declare that they have prevented a crackdown by loyalists on today’s demonstrations, killing many of them http://youtu.be/nAHBttJ9-Ro

Tadmor http://youtu.be/7NW21sNX6O0 , http://youtu.be/HxdEh74YxhQ Qaryatein http://youtu.be/0BX9WAppT1s Houleh http://youtu.be/QvCmnRXiDC4 , http://youtu.be/19L82OutXsM Talbisseh http://youtu.be/6c8G8i80a6Q , http://youtu.be/PLypW-AyAwQ Kafar Aya http://youtu.be/1gV2yKX0Mms , http://youtu.be/-G6Axd4vY5U Sukhnah http://youtu.be/pRAwL8bEK7k Ghanto http://youtu.be/W0TwTkMobPA Qseir http://youtu.be/gJwu1cXv2MI Rastan http://youtu.be/Cdxw8FPeMEI Al-Dar Al-Kabirah http://youtu.be/uqU7DRJ2ok4 Teer Ma’allah http://youtu.be/J1b2ai3dZPI Tal Shur http://youtu.be/63qKqX8GMR0 Zaafaraneh http://youtu.be/EhyqmNPnCx8 Hassya http://youtu.be/Xew4fy988wc Bouaydah Sharqiyeh http://youtu.be/QF6VZFlyrME

Nighttime Qseir http://youtu.be/etqs9Qqo0WY Tadmor http://youtu.be/o6LPhUECUYI

DAMASCUS CITY

The recent appearance of Assad in a small loyalist rally in Omayad Square has caused controversy. While Syrian TV showed clips of Assad, his wife and children, there are those who insist that Assad was on his own there and that he soon slipped by himself through the bushes under heavy security. There is no way to confirm any of this. But what’s important is the fact that Assad’s attempt at showing strength and confidence seems to have backfired. If anything, his recent appearances came as a shot in the arm for the protesters. The Assads are not just losing control of Rural Damascus, they are losing control of Damascus itself.

The rally was indeed a small affair http://youtu.be/2QsXgLiepHk, and here we can see Assad slipping out between the trees on his own surrounded by his body guards http://youtu.be/mLU1ezyn5J0

The loyalist Addounia TV is always on site to film the rallies, but ever to show them (Qaboun) http://youtu.be/B8XCdNZaANo

Heavy security presence prevents planned rallies in Nahr Eisheh http://youtu.be/Wv6a58bfWU4 But not at night http://youtu.be/Y24-ZND4gdQ

Protesters in Old Mazzeh http://youtu.be/MIHiD-Oqpes , http://youtu.be/Q0ddHEYL5Lw , http://youtu.be/rkv7CS0LQ4E come under attack from loyalist militias armed with clubs and machineguns http://youtu.be/TGPT4iBdszw

Rallies Barzeh http://youtu.be/2iXIvI8wT7g , http://youtu.be/6pOncegP1Y8 Qaboun http://youtu.be/TrwirHEHwII , http://youtu.be/qXT568t_oLs Kafar Sousseh http://youtu.be/We2O7MqJDus Midan http://youtu.be/5lZaWxzv_XQ , http://youtu.be/Yn0u8ICoZ8E Qadam http://youtu.be/PFgcEPR0dcQ Daraya http://youtu.be/K7cvBN-AsTM Jobar http://youtu.be/rgyz1LAKqtU Sitti Zeinab http://youtu.be/O69FHGVjG1g

Nighttime Qaboun http://youtu.be/j684PcxfMV4 , http://youtu.be/NHxwVyayjQo Barzeh http://youtu.be/_dMFl8Uhq_w Jobar http://youtu.be/1nq8fWPJmww Heavy security presence prevented rallies in the daytime http://youtu.be/GFlNvskArG8 , http://youtu.be/kR-67K0VtW0 but locals of Hajar Al-Aswad came out at night http://youtu.be/YghhgCGR9Gc

DAMASCUS – EAST

Locals in Harasta stage a rally http://youtu.be/MtpnHEYzMjg , http://youtu.be/-ZIw544mtp8 despite heavy security presence http://youtu.be/epPXfQ2oV-o , http://youtu.be/54rit39gCwo They even rally at night http://youtu.be/vVouXahMWnE, http://youtu.be/0yzcVZwIPQs

Rallies Saqba http://youtu.be/33v8LH0OIv0 , http://youtu.be/1gWe--9LoS0 Kafar Batna http://youtu.be/zVSuS1ZCYkU Arbeen http://youtu.be/rX-gR6R_7Cc , http://youtu.be/nNNTyu7pQ1E , http://youtu.be/Y1XeJ6uTY-0 Hamouriyeh http://youtu.be/74EaiTum8NE Zamalka http://youtu.be/ARk21CImXDU , http://youtu.be/OmDftokuNu0 , http://youtu.be/OJmALeR4uVY Douma http://youtu.be/cw_mL69meGI , http://youtu.be/U7Wvej8CD7U , http://youtu.be/EQS7wmMvGsM

Nighttime Kafar Batna http://youtu.be/OpRiWYQraEs , http://youtu.be/TW5Dx1_cHXs

DAMASCUS – SOUTH

Loyalists patrol the town of Qatana to prevent anti-Assad rallies http://youtu.be/HIMOipYFgB8 Zakieh http://youtu.be/WQnu215QXFo Kanaker http://youtu.be/xFZfKX6973w Mleihah http://youtu.be/L6gtqVwRH-8 Hteitet Al-Turkman http://youtu.be/_-evrkaUkZI Jdeidet Artouz http://youtu.be/BfxPOVwTHCY , http://youtu.be/g-8dQWRy-T0 , http://youtu.be/pE1Enag4FYI In Kisweh, heavy security presence prevented planned rallies, so some rallied at home http://youtu.be/mVm7TBoXjuY

DAMASCUS – NORTH

Martyrs from Dmeir http://youtu.be/lavBrNr5GRo

Rallies Snowfall did not prevent rallies in Rankous http://youtu.be/7NWmNpaRMbQ , http://youtu.be/PugEbpqKb_0 Qarrah http://youtu.be/TorYzBh9m3A , http://youtu.be/qY_If9g7p7w Yabroud http://youtu.be/v-s2dgxlGgc , http://youtu.be/bsDBHR48-Fo Assal Al-Ward http://youtu.be/k57rHCIlJxg , http://youtu.be/6NEvD6zXGqM Nighttime Qarrah http://youtu.be/lYhTK-x5r7A Deir Atiyeh http://youtu.be/kokt6xoGzwI

DAMASCUS – WEST

Rallies Qudsayah http://youtu.be/NmAGhZ2DV5M , http://youtu.be/Xxl_M5hQyRk Wadi Barada http://youtu.be/6iZPwfgKU_Q , http://youtu.be/ipPYmm8l5s0 , http://youtu.be/3vbhX6fLjCc , http://youtu.be/RUlbcsyl9kQ Nighttime Qudsaya http://youtu.be/Egx4p4lQbRc

IDLIB

A survey of the land indicates that the Assads authority in this restive province does not extend far beyond the shadows of their tanks and armored vehicles. There is hardly any loyalist or supporters to speak of beyond the troops themselves. With little material support, Idlib’s rebels can neutralize Assads’ loyalists and take over the entire region, and except for the possibility of air-strikes, they can hold it against any ground offensive.

Funerals took place in Ariha http://youtu.be/OCYmS_ONjhQ , http://youtu.be/7_zts6qtPfI Elteh http://youtu.be/UpPoNfsigWY and Marrat Al-Nouman http://youtu.be/7DtXMwVNOZk

Kafrenbel A martyr http://youtu.be/su8zMWyfBXM And a funeral http://youtu.be/RuYpCMN1S3E , http://youtu.be/GeAryErbmYA

In Idlib City, the AL monitors observe the major rally taking place http://youtu.be/DSjhDQP6yJY , http://youtu.be/96oR3D25LO8 and from another rooftop, a sniper http://youtu.be/tzTsT7kGeDc

Rallies Idlib City http://youtu.be/CYJesELi7aA , http://youtu.be/YthgNd9pfRA , http://youtu.be/GoPtKrLmw0s Binnish http://youtu.be/j1MzruH5fyw , http://youtu.be/-m-keF3jiHU Kafroumah http://youtu.be/qfNT3q66zl8 Saraqib http://youtu.be/zhJuG7fJmqo Taftanaz http://youtu.be/JgVwQaHxgZ0 , http://youtu.be/R0ov-qvu4KE Kafar Yahmoul http://youtu.be/t4XcHgh2TZc Khan Shaikhoon http://youtu.be/6UP0e3uRFXs , http://youtu.be/ahYVUsOHaWA Ma’arrat Masreen http://youtu.be/JNpNxkbMrKo Hzano http://youtu.be/BTuyNlFK8aI Kafar Sajneh http://youtu.be/_uAXbeVoGFo Kafar Takhareem http://youtu.be/L1tMS4IWw90 Al-Rami http://youtu.be/yyf1gisznOQ Jarjanaz http://youtu.be/VpE6BSQfFTs , http://youtu.be/PDJyiUcIjOE Ghadfah http://youtu.be/cvdh0Y4WXjo Ma’arrat Hourmah http://youtu.be/_4ftUbWSZmA Jisr Ashoughour http://youtu.be/0b4ku3LOSSg Kastan http://youtu.be/SHrHIbXiBBA Ram Hamdan http://youtu.be/lbAcSi-PRb8 Sfohen http://youtu.be/7ZiaA8GrFcc Eltman’ah http://youtu.be/AoAukQ_n4gY Nayrab http://youtu.be/WaK46pkjkVM Sarmada http://youtu.be/giKNBvRtfaY Ma’arr Shamshah http://youtu.be/6z7IhOdqlfs Sheikh Idrees http://youtu.be/B64q5UiGQSI Gilli http://youtu.be/XJiulFx2vJ4 Kafar Ouaid http://youtu.be/g_UnS4N9iMo

Nighttime Idlib City http://youtu.be/1IizMVsI6IA , http://youtu.be/8f-R6rs_NoU

HAMA CITY

Protesters come under attack from loyalists in Qoussour Neighborhood http://youtu.be/yKouTS1cV2M , http://youtu.be/T3GlnIsDbuI Loyalists also wait for protesters outside Al-Hadi Mosque http://youtu.be/PX8bOZ8c3Jw

Rallies Hamidiyeh http://youtu.be/2m3s94fjoXM Bab Qibli http://youtu.be/9ahJuWRnXfA , http://youtu.be/-mAFEafzDhA Aleppo Road http://youtu.be/gmNatQJd39I , http://youtu.be/v0Sutjnjpp4 Frayeh http://youtu.be/66ZYWmUFl1E Kazo http://youtu.be/8Sp3wSNeaFI El-Sawa’eq http://youtu.be/-I8pBSGOCyk Al-Sheikh http://youtu.be/Ageqyd6WFYg Dahriyeh http://youtu.be/4bZe0L_t7dY Janoub Al-Malaab http://youtu.be/H7Q9SVuJ-WE Al-Karameh http://youtu.be/J2xo9InkFRo

Nighttime Bab Qibli http://youtu.be/lBJML8EwZNA Qoussour http://youtu.be/gToaQ2O6fRE Janoub Al-Malaab http://youtu.be/wIczB3NFQ64 Aleppo Road http://youtu.be/TNjkSk7bVDs Eleilaat http://youtu.be/MPr8n4X5nUU Hamidiyeh http://youtu.be/SoZuB17cODc

HAMA PROVINCE

Rallies Hilfaya http://youtu.be/9504UQlujR4 , http://youtu.be/2yyosqp3shc , http://youtu.be/JosGXwxbxIo Taybat Al-Imam http://youtu.be/JITZ_acitd4 , http://youtu.be/aT6ncdQ8lsU Khattab http://youtu.be/iWMPt2K5hxc , http://youtu.be/Xew4fy988wc Sauran http://youtu.be/PuvIqzkKaZA , http://youtu.be/ZIGHndsA3Zs Kafrenboudeh http://youtu.be/5EpvWLn5Dj0 Breidij http://youtu.be/0DsagsOymYQ Ellatamneh http://youtu.be/UvVEL7FEIgE Kafar Zeiteh http://youtu.be/YWEgdJngggc Mourek http://youtu.be/4pcS9oicbtI , http://youtu.be/heXjaIh4zDM Kafraltoon http://youtu.be/jJvrCcm_dnc Kokab http://youtu.be/dwY9Y6y7Zh4 Karnaz http://youtu.be/iffhZMEZBcU Ma’arzaf http://youtu.be/hHwtYZ5EoJM Talf http://youtu.be/GTNa_WKGqKM Salamiyeh http://youtu.be/rZTYbzDcySU

DERAA CITY

Al-Sabeel loyalists and riot vehicles take part in the crackdown http://youtu.be/SlDJ3oLnO8o In Qoussour protesters face up to loyalist troops http://youtu.be/fYpeMbtHG98 as the later hunt them down http://youtu.be/DrjsHi67RVU , http://youtu.be/rbHFzoFWO-8 , http://youtu.be/al4BW61mtpI , http://youtu.be/gEdoAaGAod4

Kashef Neighborhood (Mosab Mosque) http://youtu.be/I76OfsuVLS8 , http://youtu.be/DQpwLiiIdSE Mahatah http://youtu.be/_Y1S_6iHix8 Near Omari Mosque http://youtu.be/bvZ5KC1GsQs , http://youtu.be/mTWNlmskf_o , http://youtu.be/kUSIrkA0aS4 Al-Balad http://youtu.be/mflVYSZTNRA , http://youtu.be/gIqm6II-1f8

Nighttime Al-Balad http://youtu.be/_uQpJMJwP_4 Mahatah http://youtu.be/xbinutFfyDo , http://youtu.be/ZbqWji1yl5Y

DERAA/HAURAN PROVINCE

Reinforcements come into Ankhel http://youtu.be/CzlcVu1oRbU , http://youtu.be/h4nnlVwoCA8 Loyalists tried to disrupt planned rallies in Sanamein as well http://youtu.be/juid9aLFIng But they failed http://youtu.be/J_ohtn4htEY

In Harrah as many other communities across the country, locals protested as it snowed http://youtu.be/u5OBb5741i8

At night, Basr Al-Harir comes under heavy fire http://youtu.be/1nk9QlRce3w

Rallies Hraak http://youtu.be/I5NoaNVzCUc Namar http://youtu.be/t6yg3vB9WPw Khirbet Ghazaleh http://youtu.be/mbcol9DLaL4 Harrah http://youtu.be/slh-6Kizdic Jizeh http://youtu.be/Im9fO8ngOdM Bosra Al-Sham http://youtu.be/QcOHPm0LW3Y , http://youtu.be/poCy91nxd-M Um Walad http://youtu.be/EhCTESQsk1E Nahteh http://youtu.be/54GkgHvQGAM Ghariyeh Sharqiyeh http://youtu.be/hPQ68OV2ps8 Ataman http://youtu.be/9REefNOealg Mseifrah http://youtu.be/-i76BX-h0Ls , http://youtu.be/vaOO86Clcvg Da’el http://youtu.be/s6vEewqxuZM , http://youtu.be/GLCnS-szYE8 Tseel http://youtu.be/rOexLO5r-A0 Nasseeb http://youtu.be/k16pFmG1Mk8 Abtaa http://youtu.be/j2Y6I4VHo2Q Mleihah Sharqiyeh http://youtu.be/7CQL-InzbSI Tafas http://youtu.be/QPH3otdKdNc , http://youtu.be/fCfOPt7wQz8 Kaheel http://youtu.be/hiwBVQMTES8 Kateebeh http://youtu.be/ePuDIST94fQ Basr Al-Harir http://youtu.be/fLmbGD0VdgQ Taybeh http://youtu.be/rLU66s3bLGs

HASSAKEH

Rallies Qamishly http://youtu.be/iGOkYvhg7J0 , http://youtu.be/07q1M5-MGNc , http://youtu.be/jjFmpolpKfw Amoudeh http://youtu.be/wZr76x_4rFk , http://youtu.be/UJwYBRNrPS8 , http://youtu.be/jpHOgiXgH-g Dirbassiyeh http://youtu.be/cRRJWW7QskU , http://youtu.be/muj9dVoUiys Ghuweiran http://youtu.be/Jf2tgA8mI0s , http://youtu.be/eZnqvE0edOI

In Seri Kaniye http://youtu.be/AkHanSzJKxc , http://youtu.be/h5rVMoPPKbE , http://youtu.be/Z1AnxB1PAqU loyalists drive through the crowds to force them to disperse http://youtu.be/7-I8hRHyer8

ALEPPO CITY

Students in the University of Aleppo stage a rally in near their dormitories http://youtu.be/kyX-jX1s6II , http://youtu.be/Q2_x00aaprE , http://youtu.be/c8JEVgxJyuA , http://youtu.be/jRJbLkN-7XA It doesn’t take long before loyalists move in to disperse the rallies http://youtu.be/jUECe4IDg9o Security raid on dormitories take place at night http://youtu.be/FnLmaHk590c to stop another rally http://youtu.be/7QX6kBxcb70

Leaked video: Elsewhere in the City, and as AL monitors paid a visit to the central prison on January 9, political prisoners staged a small rally demanding an end to Assad’s regime http://youtu.be/YRD72Oyo1Os , http://youtu.be/zrP3KZ4Uzsw