Syrian Revolution Digest: Genocide!

What the Assads and their loyalists are perpetrating right now in Syria amounts, by certain international standards, to Genocide: they are intentionally destroying members of a certain religious group.

Thursday February 09, 2012

Today’s death toll: 145. The Breakdown: 112 in Homs City including 3 women and 6 children…

But while all eyes are on Homs City, the town of Zabadani continues to be bombarded with tanks and howitzers, with locals saying that dozens of homes have been destroyed as a result. More than 50 tanks and 5,000 troops equipped with heavy artillery are now inching their way to the town. An invasion can take place any day now in what promises to be a very bloody and violent affair. The town of Madaya is already besieged on all sides.

Other communities that are witnessing serious assault include Qouriyeh in Deir Ezzor Province

News

Two explosion hit northern Syrian city of Aleppo

Syria crisis: Obama condemns onslaught on Homs

Syrian regime is 'hell-bent' on 'murdering and maiming' its own people, David Cameron says

Putin gives clue to veto of Syria sanctions

Cousin of Syria’s Assad wins case to unfreeze $4 million from Swiss bank accounts

4 Diplomats From Syria Are Expelled By Germany

Assad forces mull use of chemical weapons in Homs, opposition says

Op-Eds & Special Reports

The Case for Organizing a Military Force from Muslim Countries to Intervene in Syria

Failing Syria: Why the World Must Prepare Now for Assad's Fall and the Aftermath

Russia conspires to salvage Assad rule

Inside Homs, Syria’s War Zone

Aleppo, Syria, long loyal to the government, appears to waver

Syria’s First Family: An illustrated guide to the Assad clan. How long can it cling to power?

Homs fears big push by Syrian tanks on stronghold

Turkey and Iran diverge over Syria

What is happening in Homs City and protest hubs across Syria today meets many of the legal elements included in the definition of Genocide, as specified in Convention on the Prevention and

Punishment of Genocide:

"Article II: In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: (the intent can be established by using much of the discourse and venom in state-run media, as well as proliferating expert analysis of the sectarian motives of Assad core loyalists: Alawites fearing Sunni reprisals)

(a) Killing members of the group; (check)

(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; (check)

(c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; (check)

(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;

(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

Even though, children are being targeted intentionally, something that has been highlighted by numerous human rights reports, and even though children died in incubators when power supply to hospitals were cut intentionally, elements (d) and (e) of the definition are clearly not met, and that is the only reason why some people might refrain from calling the crimes being perpetrated by the Assads as Genocide. However, according to Wikipedia, Genocide “can simply also be known as the intent to destroy a group, in part or in whole. Intent must be proven, otherwise the crime cannot be identified as genocide.” By this standard, what the Assads are doing right now in Syria is genocide.

Homs
Homs City

Baba Amr: the pounding continues http://youtu.be/9r6eq9Hsj80 , http://youtu.be/yuXIZx466Bs , http://youtu.be/qz6hYj1ZC5M , http://youtu.be/7zBHZmWvoWE , http://youtu.be/2TqiIGqa3BY , http://youtu.be/gvjkDBpqf7I Impact of pounding http://youtu.be/O4-PIHajFUM Three bodies strewn in the rubble of collapsed homes http://youtu.be/nAspG2I1A2c Missile strike http://youtu.be/iDfe9WerZFw a house brought down http://youtu.be/h6O-kxhqYEQ One of the local mosque was destroyed http://youtu.be/wKSZf0sQAag Another mosque is hit http://youtu.be/80Pv1A7X6Z8 Houses on fire http://youtu.be/BmSSbaHaUo4 , http://youtu.be/E13jc4ln-ik Plane flying overhead http://youtu.be/iRLfdrAa2-M This one, local activists say, has taken part in he bombardment http://youtu.be/B-R8DpWjnSo Local activists unable to get to this house where they believe a family is buried underneath the rubble http://youtu.be/hYjTubDmbM0 Another demolished home http://youtu.be/_ZwT8OgfO4k Activist Danny Abduldayem surveys the destruction (English) http://youtu.be/9i7DFEwmoYw Removing the bodies of the dead http://youtu.be/xNYzzfFjEG0 Women and children below the rubble http://youtu.be/maQXJlLkGR8 pulling more bodies from under the rubble http://youtu.be/qi_V9z8PrEA Martyrs http://youtu.be/uoVE9017KL4 , http://youtu.be/CpJwR29eXSA Woman martyr http://youtu.be/FppZhD6765c Another http://youtu.be/UG2KyHz8VAs Man taking his last breath as his brother cries for him http://youtu.be/f1R-hoOOH54 Treating the wounded http://youtu.be/p_TSjZOGzGc , http://youtu.be/3awN2900qZM Treating 5 wounded children from the same family http://youtu.be/OOwwVDmQ9U0 This baby needs an incubator, but none is available http://youtu.be/l9KOLqVwNPg An injured little girl http://youtu.be/dBHteiRvyQg A little girl takes her last breaths http://youtu.be/Zf5FZRZP8KY Local activists call for intervention saying that their neighborhoods are being wiped out http://youtu.be/AClpWehGDiU Children cry in a local shelter as the neighborhood is pounded http://youtu.be/F2mEl6YwWic Insha’aat: this body of this man was left in the streets after he was kidnapped by loyalist militias. He was shot in the back several times, and dogs were chewing on his arm when he was found http://youtu.be/TQNHOgNwQ6Y Karm Al-Zeitun: a man killed by a sniper while he was buying bread http://youtu.be/KnL-GYwvQ3M Another http://youtu.be/gFIXsiErCno Man taking his last breaths http://youtu.be/C7zuJ-SgDHY Bab Dreib: the martyrdom of a local activist http://youtu.be/PFA2mUxpUBg the grieving and angry family http://youtu.be/UWWsOuAjWEI Khaldiyeh: A martyr http://youtu.be/c0ULdag4OGs Another http://youtu.be/u7DSS-eN39s A small hasty funeral http://youtu.be/eJEsAM31Kmw Martyred little girl http://youtu.be/PdAKLcL3BWM Impact of pounding http://youtu.be/X3O35zkD9fQ Bayadah: wounded http://youtu.be/8c9D5XLDopE The local doctor shows us three martyrs and complains of lack of proper supplies and equipment http://youtu.be/gLWbQWVw_J8 Asheerah: a house catches fire due to pounding http://youtu.be/fMc_Ae-a3b4 Loyalists carrying out a raid of the neighborhood http://youtu.be/nt0a6MvVPEA Bab Al-Sibaa: the wounded http://youtu.be/ildBFKiuISA A man hit in the head by sniper http://youtu.be/GrSxSk34ZjI Qarabees: a body thrown in the street http://youtu.be/qrJyLUpUGgM Karm Al-Shami: pulling a body from the street http://youtu.be/w4k7kL0NgSY Al-Rabei Al-Arabi: A tank shoots its way through http://youtu.be/y1qiuf5OLI8 Deir Baalbah: An operation by local members of the FSA http://youtu.be/W35AUCoNnPg

Daytime Rallies
Qoussour http://youtu.be/R-DKt8FuLFg

Nighttime Rallies
Bab Houd http://youtu.be/9l25imZQV0E Qoussour http://youtu.be/TBkLLGnYJIo Ghoutah http://youtu.be/0jZ8l2zWLcU Bayadah http://youtu.be/a0CCjxS17ws

Homs Province

Rastan: The pounding of Rastan with rockets http://youtu.be/fbyDOd1Qoo4 , http://youtu.be/CUG8N-kszvE The dead and the wounded fill the streets in the aftermath of a heavy bombardment http://youtu.be/I9jdKexXwjc A local father describes how his children were killed when a mortar round hit their home http://youtu.be/CmKmyEAOWF8 a wounded young lady http://youtu.be/Qi6b4XGicSc A your of the local clinic http://youtu.be/7cor0vDRH6I Two martyrs http://youtu.be/eYOPZ16Ti_0 Impact of pounding http://youtu.be/MhO-P-RrUqI Members of the Men of God Brigade declare that after the city was liberated, loyalist troops pounded it killing 1,000 residents. They declare if the bombardment is not stooped they will blow up the main bridge near the town and begin targeting oil wells as well as villages supporting the regime from where loyalist militias are recruited and housed http://youtu.be/cF7CtLKVgvQ Let’s hope that this is an idle threat borne out of anger, for this is exactly the tit-for-tat that protest leaders are trying to avoid, and have been successful in preventing it so far, despite all the violence on the part of Assad loyalists. Talbisseh: a martyr http://youtu.be/ude3Tdl52NE Qusayr: an injured child http://youtu.be/lBoMaZE7lhc Another http://youtu.be/9ehVmsVJU1E A third http://youtu.be/F1HkBu_sxWk A martyr http://youtu.be/b-Vf_YjuGuI Another http://youtu.be/rBj0ZLh9mXg Tadmor: loyalist troops patrol the streets http://youtu.be/KF5SBD_vKc4 A house demolished by the pounding http://youtu.be/dk-ojwzZUD4

Nighttime Rallies
Tadmor http://youtu.be/L_l0OyQdOoI


Damascus
Damascus City

Daytime Rallies
Barzeh http://youtu.be/fiiL4sf-pyM Midan http://youtu.be/ioNtesj-ZY8 Qaboun http://youtu.be/pmS86Aaxf0g Qadam http://youtu.be/WG25apiTx-o , http://youtu.be/St1jpAaKiQA

Nighttime Rallies
Midan http://youtu.be/Te82QDjbCBA

Eastern Ghoutah

Douma: The local hospital is set on fire at night, and fire trucks are nowhere to be seen http://youtu.be/nwK6wemRoN0 Arbeen: loyalists patrol the streets http://youtu.be/tDH0n9rp3k4 , http://youtu.be/s75VxcoB18c

Nighttime Rallies
Douma http://youtu.be/7MY1nes4NXs Sbeineh http://youtu.be/XoNtcefC9rE

Damascus South

Daytime Rallies
Mqeilabeh (student rally) http://youtu.be/5ern2GYqxZs Qatana http://youtu.be/KLrsPi2VIbQ , http://youtu.be/4Y06fr87aSM Al-Hajar Al-Aswad (student rally) http://youtu.be/QChEk7wU0rw , http://youtu.be/LyM0_A5whuQ Artouz http://youtu.be/iH3OI46xRVQ

West (Zabadani and Wadi Barada)

Zabadani: Of course the siege of the town is coupled with continuous shelling http://youtu.be/7VvSP48whWM , http://youtu.be/vltNZg0izVc , http://youtu.be/ueXH-UqUDkY More tanks on way to Zabadani http://youtu.be/OHGL1H1Ga88 A martyr http://youtu.be/zNlFYFpnrsQ Eight more martyrs http://youtu.be/wgOP2EpA66s Treating the wounded http://youtu.be/jxhiAdWX-9s Locals are suffering from shortage of bread due to ongoing siege http://youtu.be/WcFZKz_zE0M

North (The Qalamoun Region )

Nighttime Rallies
Qarrah http://youtu.be/fxytyUryUiI


Hama
Hama City

Nighttime Rallies
Bab Qibli http://youtu.be/hGUjc3RKRRo Hamidiyeh http://youtu.be/0Dfy1mcrU4g

Hama Province

Daytime Rallies
Taybat Al-Imam http://youtu.be/S7GAGEihjH8 Karanz http://youtu.be/LBfw7o86SAc Ellatamneh http://youtu.be/D4-W2ycyVEA Breidej http://youtu.be/LhojNjpOb2g


Idlib

Khan Shaikhoon: a martyr http://youtu.be/FlhaeSwcu1E Sarmada: A martyr http://youtu.be/bvQ4hAQzF3Y Ma’arrat Al-Nouman: tanks invade the city http://youtu.be/MPACjrxe9ho The pounding begins immediately http://youtu.be/f8jR2tuB6pk , http://youtu.be/Iv525h6rXcE , http://youtu.be/XJ-hzwL3RWk Impact of shelling http://youtu.be/sVA1t8sGz1w , http://youtu.be/ODxL8yc4w4g Funeral for a martyred woman http://youtu.be/J7LkUGkgLTQ Idlib City comes under fire http://youtu.be/uu-B0_Ta9lY More defectors http://youtu.be/UvqrI9hIK5A , http://youtu.be/wL1_dLrOEVk

Daytime Rallies
Binnish http://youtu.be/MUrkhM8Sims Kafroumah http://youtu.be/cBrgIWA4Ldk Courine (funeral) http://youtu.be/Pbl6Zi5kPO4

Nighttime Rallies
Hz http://youtu.be/VxpsvcMm2VM ano http://youtu.be/VxpsvcMm2VM


Deraa/Hauran
Deraa City

Daytime Rallies
Mahatah (student rally, all girls) http://youtu.be/f0sJdl_aGIo , http://youtu.be/J-a1tgovD0M

Nighttime Rallies
Mahatah http://youtu.be/UHre-Rh2Q7U Al-Balad http://youtu.be/WBe7rONc3fw

Deraa/Hauran Province

Tseel: Martyr http://youtu.be/X8YhNEKMsHA Another http://youtu.be/f7XYbnoGSIw Houses and shops set on fire by loyalists http://youtu.be/X585zCHE7TA Ankhel: protesters come under attack http://youtu.be/oHEabqGStME

Daytime Rallies
Da’el http://youtu.be/LKRFuwx38U0

Nighttime Rallies
Mseifrah http://youtu.be/TCKNmLvoe6U


Aleppo
Aleppo City

A nighttime sit-in by a local police station demanding release of detainees http://youtu.be/kbWIJcCPzqk

Aleppo Province

Kobani: a funeral for two martyrs http://youtu.be/R6lSUL_vrns Elbab: a funeral http://youtu.be/OvNixXxedsA

Daytime Rallies
Alatareb http://youtu.be/UNTeYm8tP9I Akherteen http://youtu.be/H9qGHHVm6fs


Deir Ezzor

Qouriyeh: tanks invade the town http://youtu.be/4b0X47Hx1iE


Hassakeh

Daytime Rallies
Amoudeh http://youtu.be/IBMKR6OkA7Q Hassakeh City (Mufti) http://youtu.be/PhTKs-YcOEk

Nighttime Rallies
Ghuweiran http://youtu.be/UgItEgsVd44 , http://youtu.be/0mNxGgzed_c


Suweida

Suweida City: loyalists militias attack protesters http://youtu.be/ZySmhX71txc

7 comments:

Sad eyeFebruary 10, 2012 at 12:19 PM
Hey Ammar,

This is a Syrian citizen who loathes the family mafia regime in Syria and believes that they should end. I must say, you and your ilk are actually no better.

Your sensationalist sectarian-infused propaganda does not help the real, brave protesters on the ground in this intifada.

Please stop acting like a fool and at least start apologizing for working for your American and Zionist pay masters.

And please...pretty, pretty please stop writing. You are hurting us more with your stupidity.

TIA.

W.L.S.
Sad eyeFebruary 10, 2012 at 12:28 PM
P.S. If I wasn't clear: It's a massacre in Syria, not a "genocide". We don't need lies.

So bugger off, your time is done.
Let better, much more principled people work to undo the damages your retard-ness is inflicting, while trying to overcome this horrible regime. Like we don't have much to handle already.
AmarjiFebruary 10, 2012 at 8:04 PM
I am describing realities as they exist on the grounds in Homs City and many other communities, it's these realities that are infused with sectarianism, not my writing. This is not something of my creation, I hate it as much as you do, if not more, but ignoring it will not make it go away.

I stated my case, I cited the legal basis for it, I acknowledged where elements have not been met, and I can martial enough evidence as to "intent" from the regime's own propaganda machine, videos showing how protesters are referred to and abused by loyalist militias, and how certain religious symbols have been targeted from the beginning of the revolution. The point was to show how close we are to disaster and why we need international protection. I stand by my assessment.

As for buggering off, thanks but no thanks. I am a Syrian citizen too, and many of the protesters on the ground support what I say and do, irrespective of your approval or disapproval, pleasure or displeasure, belief or disbelief. We're here to stay.
Sad eyeFebruary 11, 2012 at 4:10 AM
You know very well that the regime targets all Syrians, regardless of sect. Alawis get the worst of the treatment for protesting or daring to break rank.

Again, before you decide to throw around a term "genocide" think, man. These sensationalist acts by you are fodder for the regime and its supporters.

The protesters are indeed here to stay. But I don't count you as one of them, you used to be but something happened when you went to the states.

Listen Ahmad Chalabi, you aren't going to last long when you get back despite the compliments, support, and money you get from your American paymasters.
AmarjiFebruary 11, 2012 at 5:17 AM
In Homs City, the situation has acquired strict sectarian overtones, and that's very dangerous,and denying it will make the situation worth, and the contagion could easily spread.

These warnings are coming from activists on the ground. What I and they are trying to say is very simple: the regime is slowly succeeding in transforming the situation in Homs City into a Sunni-Alawite conflict, and is succeeding in transforming many Alawite supporters into killing machines driven by blind hatred of their Sunni neighbors, as evidenced by increasing cold-blooded massacres of entire families. This is not an indictment of the Alawite community, nor their beliefs, but a description of an emerging trend in their midst, fueled by regime propaganda.

Describing realities as they are is not meant as an endorsement nor incitement, nor is it some cheap propaganda, but a warning of things to come.

If you have been following my writings with any consistency, you would note that this is what I do on my blog: I monitor emerging trends in the hope of encouraging adoption of right policy vis-a-vis the situation by international policymakers. If regime supporters end up distorting things, I cannot help it, that's what they will always do. And if people like you end up misunderstanding me, I'll try to explain as much as I can, ignoring the insults and accusations you throw at me, and keeping focus on the issue at hand.

However, it is obvious that your understanding of my analysis is tainted s well by your anti-Americanism. You're entitled to your views of course, as I am entitled to differ.

Also, since I have no intention of ever running for public office, anywhere in this world, your Chalabi comparison is misplaced.
Sad eyeFebruary 11, 2012 at 6:39 AM
Apologizes, o wise Fouad Ajmai.

Even the UN office for the Prevention of Genocide does not go that far in terming the horrible events in Syria as 'genocide'. Possibly 'crimes against humanity', but not genocide.

The only individuals calling it a genocide since the summer are you, the MB (and, boy, are they credible), and some hysterical members of the SNC. I wonder...why is it only you folks, and in fact certain Zionist groups not surprisingly, using this term and not actually international legal authorities?

This is the classic case of sensationalism in order to encourage an external intervention (and here we both know you are only interested in an intervention by the US or Europe). Which would only bring more violence to the Syrian population, who is already dealing with enough.

Your analysis is tainted your need to influence and lobby interests in Washington. It's quite clear. This will not help us in the long-run (and even, in the short-run).
Alan KanjoFebruary 11, 2012 at 7:26 PM
Sad Eye, Could You please share with us the solution to preventing the ongoing "genocide" without International Intervention? I don't get the point of your accusations. Ammar is doing an astonishing work and his analyses are anticipating a lot of things, as for example: A month ago or so He said an alternative action to a possible Russian Veto should be for the US to create an International Conference about Syria. A couple of days ago We get the announcement by Turkey in which It wants to create such an International Conference (We can imagine encouraged by who -when it comes to Syrian affairs, Turkey is dependent to the US-).

It still looks syrians apply themselves the "divide yourselve and You will loose". Enough of envy. Enough of protagonism. Enough of egoism.

By the Way, Fantastic Work Ammar. I'm reading You since the beginning of this dream-turned-into-nightmare and I have shared with Barcelona media (my homeland) some of Your (in my opinion) right analyses.
Keep this fantastic work up, please.
Azad Kanjo
Barcelona

Pages

Friday, February 10, 2012

Genocide!

7 comments: