29 july 2013
Kevin Barrett and Lawrence J. Korb discuss Israel new attacks on Syria
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According to Israeli media, another Israeli attack on Syria has taken place on Saturday. Also various Syrian opposition groups have confirmed the attack as more and more the insurgents in Syria seem to be coordinated with Tel Aviv.
Dr. Kevin Barrett from Muslim-Jewish-Christian Alliance and US National Security analyst, Lawrence J. Korb discussed this issue live on Press TV. |
A Palestinian refugee was killed on Sunday during clashes in Syria, a Palestinian group said.
Abed al-Rahim al-Hanash, 55, was killed when a shell exploded in Yarmouk refugee camp near Damascus, the Taskforce for Palestinians in Syria said.
A number of shells damaged several houses in the camp.
The Syrian army is still blockading Yarmouk, preventing people from leaving or entering, the group added. There are severe shortages of food, medicine and fuel, and electricity blackouts are common.
In June, UNRWA's commissioner general described Palestinian refugee camps in Syria as "theaters of war."
More than half of the 530,000 Palestinian refugees registered in Syria have been displaced and 15 percent have fled abroad, including 60,000 to neighboring Lebanon and over 7,000 to Jordan.
Palestinian officials insist that refugees in Syria are not involved in the deadly war rocking the country, citing security concerns for the vulnerable refugee population if they are perceived to take sides.
But Syria's uprising has split Palestinian loyalties, with many ordinary Palestinians sympathetic to the uprising by their fellow Sunnis, and others recalling the Syrian government's long-support for Palestinians.
In March, the Action Group for Palestinians of Syria said that over 1,377 Palestinians had been killed in the ongoing Syria conflict, with that number thought to have increased significantly since then.
Abed al-Rahim al-Hanash, 55, was killed when a shell exploded in Yarmouk refugee camp near Damascus, the Taskforce for Palestinians in Syria said.
A number of shells damaged several houses in the camp.
The Syrian army is still blockading Yarmouk, preventing people from leaving or entering, the group added. There are severe shortages of food, medicine and fuel, and electricity blackouts are common.
In June, UNRWA's commissioner general described Palestinian refugee camps in Syria as "theaters of war."
More than half of the 530,000 Palestinian refugees registered in Syria have been displaced and 15 percent have fled abroad, including 60,000 to neighboring Lebanon and over 7,000 to Jordan.
Palestinian officials insist that refugees in Syria are not involved in the deadly war rocking the country, citing security concerns for the vulnerable refugee population if they are perceived to take sides.
But Syria's uprising has split Palestinian loyalties, with many ordinary Palestinians sympathetic to the uprising by their fellow Sunnis, and others recalling the Syrian government's long-support for Palestinians.
In March, the Action Group for Palestinians of Syria said that over 1,377 Palestinians had been killed in the ongoing Syria conflict, with that number thought to have increased significantly since then.
27 july 2013
Syrian rebels, Lebanese news website report IAF activity in Baalbek area, over Quneitra, claim Hezbollah-bound weapons convoy bombed
Another Israeli strike in Syria? Arab media outlets reported Israeli Air Force activity in the Beqaa Valley in east Lebanon and in the Golan Heights on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Military Revolutionary Council in Golan Quneitra, a rebel group, claimed that aircraft also bombed a missile convoy making its way to Lebanon from Syria. The reports could not be confirmed by any Western source.
According to the Quneitra rebels, the sound of aircraft could clearly be heard as they circled over the city. Earlier, the council said in its Facebook page that Israeli jets had bombed Syrian army posts. The IAF aircraft flew at low altitude over Baalbek, according to the Lebanese El-Nashra website.
The past several months have seen separate reports about alleged IDF attacks in Syria, the most recent of which referred to a base in the port city of Latakia where Yakhont missiles were apparently stored.
Two months earlier, in early May, it was claimed that Israel carried out strikes in a Damascus suburb and in the Lebanese border targeting missile caches and Hezbollah -bound weapons shipments.
Another Israeli strike in Syria? Arab media outlets reported Israeli Air Force activity in the Beqaa Valley in east Lebanon and in the Golan Heights on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Military Revolutionary Council in Golan Quneitra, a rebel group, claimed that aircraft also bombed a missile convoy making its way to Lebanon from Syria. The reports could not be confirmed by any Western source.
According to the Quneitra rebels, the sound of aircraft could clearly be heard as they circled over the city. Earlier, the council said in its Facebook page that Israeli jets had bombed Syrian army posts. The IAF aircraft flew at low altitude over Baalbek, according to the Lebanese El-Nashra website.
The past several months have seen separate reports about alleged IDF attacks in Syria, the most recent of which referred to a base in the port city of Latakia where Yakhont missiles were apparently stored.
Two months earlier, in early May, it was claimed that Israel carried out strikes in a Damascus suburb and in the Lebanese border targeting missile caches and Hezbollah -bound weapons shipments.
Israeli soldiers sit atop a tank as they watch the Syrian border in the Golan Heights July 3, 2013
Saudi Arabia reportedly reaches a deal with Israeli army to buy Israeli weapons for militants fighting against the government of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
Israeli Radio reported that Saudi Arabia signed a 50-million-dollar deal with Israeli army to supply the foreign-backed militants with old Israeli military equipment and arms.
The reports added that the weapons include different kinds of anti-tank missiles, military vehicles, artillery equipment, and night vision devices.
Other sources have quoted Takfiri sources as saying that the Israeli weapons will be used to maintain control over Aleppo and its surrounding areas in northern Syria.
The report came as The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported last month that Saudi Arabia has provided the Takfiri militants with Russian-made Konkurs anti-tank missiles.
It quoted militant sources as saying that they had received the first batch of the heavy weaponry from Saudi Arabia in northern city of Aleppo.
On June 14, US President Barack Obama ordered his administration to provide the militants with weapons, claiming that the Syrian government had used “chemical weapons” against the militants and thus crossed Washington’s “red line.” Damascus has rejected the allegation as “lies.”
Israeli President Shimon Peres voiced support for Washington’s arming of the Takfiri militants in Syria. Takfiris accuse most Islamic sects of being infidels.
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned other states against providing weapons to the militants in Syria, saying that the arms could end up in Europe one day.
The Syrian government says the West and its regional allies - especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey - are supporting the militants.
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions of others displaced in the violence.
Saudi Arabia reportedly reaches a deal with Israeli army to buy Israeli weapons for militants fighting against the government of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
Israeli Radio reported that Saudi Arabia signed a 50-million-dollar deal with Israeli army to supply the foreign-backed militants with old Israeli military equipment and arms.
The reports added that the weapons include different kinds of anti-tank missiles, military vehicles, artillery equipment, and night vision devices.
Other sources have quoted Takfiri sources as saying that the Israeli weapons will be used to maintain control over Aleppo and its surrounding areas in northern Syria.
The report came as The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported last month that Saudi Arabia has provided the Takfiri militants with Russian-made Konkurs anti-tank missiles.
It quoted militant sources as saying that they had received the first batch of the heavy weaponry from Saudi Arabia in northern city of Aleppo.
On June 14, US President Barack Obama ordered his administration to provide the militants with weapons, claiming that the Syrian government had used “chemical weapons” against the militants and thus crossed Washington’s “red line.” Damascus has rejected the allegation as “lies.”
Israeli President Shimon Peres voiced support for Washington’s arming of the Takfiri militants in Syria. Takfiris accuse most Islamic sects of being infidels.
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned other states against providing weapons to the militants in Syria, saying that the arms could end up in Europe one day.
The Syrian government says the West and its regional allies - especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey - are supporting the militants.
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions of others displaced in the violence.
25 july 2013
National Working Group for the Palestinians in Syria said that the living conditions in the Palestinian refugee camps in Syria are becoming more and more difficult in light of the continued confrontations between the revolutionaries and the Syrian regime. All the bakeries and most of the hospitals and clinics in the Yarmouk, Husseiniya, Sabina and Daraa camps stopped working.
The group said in a report on Thursday that the power outage which has continued for several months, as is the case in the Yarmouk refugee camp, makes the situation more difficult.
The camps are also still suffering from the blockade imposed by the Syrian army forces, which have been preventing the entry of sufficient quantities of food and medical supplies to the camps.
The Working Group for the Palestinians in Syria also pointed in its report that the forces have continued to target the refugee camps with shelling.
The group said in a report on Thursday that the power outage which has continued for several months, as is the case in the Yarmouk refugee camp, makes the situation more difficult.
The camps are also still suffering from the blockade imposed by the Syrian army forces, which have been preventing the entry of sufficient quantities of food and medical supplies to the camps.
The Working Group for the Palestinians in Syria also pointed in its report that the forces have continued to target the refugee camps with shelling.
24 july 2013
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The Syrian army and Palestinian volunteers have been forcing out foreign-backed militants from a refugee camp outside capital Damascus, Press TV reports.
On Wednesday, the Syrian soldiers were engaged in heavy battles against the militants near the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp. Palestinian volunteers were also helping the Syrian army regain control of the camp, which is a key point for both the soldiers and the militants. Juma’a Abdullah, an official of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which is battling for the camp, said the camp had been occupied by “thieves.” “As you know armed groups entered Yarmouk eight months ago and displace over |
200,000 people as part of the plan to enter Damascus. It turned out that they are thieves and they looted the camp. We tried to get them out using peaceful means and now we have no other means but to forcefully liberate our camp and we won’t retreat.”
The Press TV correspondent witnessed the liberation of a post previously controlled by al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front.
“We are in Palestine street heading towards Yarmouk street. This building we are in is one of seven buildings we took control after pushing militants back,” said a Palestinian volunteer minutes after capturing the post.
“They have fortified their posts but we will get to them,” he added.
Some of the militants have adopted a scorched earth policy and burn their houses as they retreat to slow down the advancing military units fighting alongside Palestinian volunteers.
In September, at least 20 people were killed when mortar shells landed in the camp.
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. According to the UN, more than 90,000 people have been killed and millions of others displaced in the violence.
Damascus says the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants are foreign nationals.
The Syrian government says the West and its regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting the militants.
The Press TV correspondent witnessed the liberation of a post previously controlled by al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front.
“We are in Palestine street heading towards Yarmouk street. This building we are in is one of seven buildings we took control after pushing militants back,” said a Palestinian volunteer minutes after capturing the post.
“They have fortified their posts but we will get to them,” he added.
Some of the militants have adopted a scorched earth policy and burn their houses as they retreat to slow down the advancing military units fighting alongside Palestinian volunteers.
In September, at least 20 people were killed when mortar shells landed in the camp.
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. According to the UN, more than 90,000 people have been killed and millions of others displaced in the violence.
Damascus says the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants are foreign nationals.
The Syrian government says the West and its regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting the militants.
A PLO delegation on Wednesday presented an initiative to the Syrian government to disarm and pacify Palestinian refugee camps in the country.
Zakaria al-Agha, Chairman of the PLO's Refugee Affairs Department, said that the initiative called for an end to all fighting in the camps, freedom of movement, and the rebuilding of damaged infrastructure as a result of fighting.
The plan also called for the release of prisoners being held without charge by the Syrian government.
"We have contacted all parties involved in order to implement this initiative. It was welcomed and encouraged by Syrian officials and the ideas and terms of the initiative will be implemented in the coming days," al-Agha said.
The PLO delegation met with Syrian deputy minister of foreign affairs Faisal al-Miqdad to discuss the protection and pacification of Palestinian camps.
Armed groups have infiltrated refugee camps across the country, displacing tens of thousands of Palestinians, al-Agha said. The PLO's primary objective is to return all displaced persons to their homes and provide them with adequate living conditions.
In June, UNRWA's commissioner general described Palestinian refugee camps in Syria as "theaters of war."
"Killings, kidnappings, poverty, destruction and fear have become part of daily life," Filippo Grandi said.
More than half of the 530,000 Palestinian refugees registered in Syria have been displaced and 15 percent have fled abroad, including 60,000 to neighboring Lebanon and over 7,000 to Jordan.
Palestinian officials insist that refugees in Syria are not involved in the deadly war rocking the country, citing security concerns for the vulnerable refugee population if they are perceived to take sides.
But Syria's uprising has split Palestinian loyalties, with many ordinary Palestinians sympathetic to the uprising by their fellow Sunnis, and others recalling the Syrian government's long-support for Palestinians.
In March, the Action Group for Palestinians of Syria said that over 1,377 Palestinians had been killed in the ongoing Syria conflict, with that number thought to have increased significantly since then.
Zakaria al-Agha, Chairman of the PLO's Refugee Affairs Department, said that the initiative called for an end to all fighting in the camps, freedom of movement, and the rebuilding of damaged infrastructure as a result of fighting.
The plan also called for the release of prisoners being held without charge by the Syrian government.
"We have contacted all parties involved in order to implement this initiative. It was welcomed and encouraged by Syrian officials and the ideas and terms of the initiative will be implemented in the coming days," al-Agha said.
The PLO delegation met with Syrian deputy minister of foreign affairs Faisal al-Miqdad to discuss the protection and pacification of Palestinian camps.
Armed groups have infiltrated refugee camps across the country, displacing tens of thousands of Palestinians, al-Agha said. The PLO's primary objective is to return all displaced persons to their homes and provide them with adequate living conditions.
In June, UNRWA's commissioner general described Palestinian refugee camps in Syria as "theaters of war."
"Killings, kidnappings, poverty, destruction and fear have become part of daily life," Filippo Grandi said.
More than half of the 530,000 Palestinian refugees registered in Syria have been displaced and 15 percent have fled abroad, including 60,000 to neighboring Lebanon and over 7,000 to Jordan.
Palestinian officials insist that refugees in Syria are not involved in the deadly war rocking the country, citing security concerns for the vulnerable refugee population if they are perceived to take sides.
But Syria's uprising has split Palestinian loyalties, with many ordinary Palestinians sympathetic to the uprising by their fellow Sunnis, and others recalling the Syrian government's long-support for Palestinians.
In March, the Action Group for Palestinians of Syria said that over 1,377 Palestinians had been killed in the ongoing Syria conflict, with that number thought to have increased significantly since then.
Three Palestinians were killed during clashes in Syria's ongoing conflict on Tuesday, a Palestinian group said.
Firas Abu al-Hasan, Muhammad Abdul-Ghani al-Nasser, and Basil al-Umari were killed in Yarmouk refugee camp near Damascus as Syrian regime forces clashed with rebels, the Taskforce for Palestinians in Syria said.
Yarmouk camp came under heavy shelling on Tuesday from the Syrian army, with warplanes also hovering over the camp, the group said.
Handarat refugee camp in Aleppo was bombed overnight Tuesday, with no injuries reported. In Homs, Rami Kamil was arrested by the Syrian army while returning home to al-Aedin camp.
Palestinian officials insist that refugees in Syria are not involved in the deadly war rocking the country, citing security concerns for the vulnerable refugee population if they are perceived to take sides.
But Syria's uprising has split Palestinian loyalties, with many ordinary Palestinians sympathetic to the uprising by their fellow Sunnis, and others recalling the Syrian government's long-support for Palestinians.
In March, the Action Group for Palestinians of Syria said that over 1,377 Palestinians had been killed in the ongoing Syria conflict, with that number thought to have increased significantly since then.
Hamas strongly condemns bombing the Yarmouk camp
Hamas expressed its deep concern about the tragic events in the Palestinian refugee camps in Syria, especially the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus which has been daily exposed to ongoing shelling. Hamas warned in a statement on Tuesday of the seriousness of the situation in the Palestinian refugee camps in Syria, especially in light of power outages and the scarcity of foodstuffs and medical supplies, which endangers the lives of thousands of Palestinian refugees in the camps.
The movement called for not dragging the Palestinians into the ongoing conflict in Syria and demanded the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League to shoulder their responsibilities and protect Palestinian refugees in Syria.
Firas Abu al-Hasan, Muhammad Abdul-Ghani al-Nasser, and Basil al-Umari were killed in Yarmouk refugee camp near Damascus as Syrian regime forces clashed with rebels, the Taskforce for Palestinians in Syria said.
Yarmouk camp came under heavy shelling on Tuesday from the Syrian army, with warplanes also hovering over the camp, the group said.
Handarat refugee camp in Aleppo was bombed overnight Tuesday, with no injuries reported. In Homs, Rami Kamil was arrested by the Syrian army while returning home to al-Aedin camp.
Palestinian officials insist that refugees in Syria are not involved in the deadly war rocking the country, citing security concerns for the vulnerable refugee population if they are perceived to take sides.
But Syria's uprising has split Palestinian loyalties, with many ordinary Palestinians sympathetic to the uprising by their fellow Sunnis, and others recalling the Syrian government's long-support for Palestinians.
In March, the Action Group for Palestinians of Syria said that over 1,377 Palestinians had been killed in the ongoing Syria conflict, with that number thought to have increased significantly since then.
Hamas strongly condemns bombing the Yarmouk camp
Hamas expressed its deep concern about the tragic events in the Palestinian refugee camps in Syria, especially the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus which has been daily exposed to ongoing shelling. Hamas warned in a statement on Tuesday of the seriousness of the situation in the Palestinian refugee camps in Syria, especially in light of power outages and the scarcity of foodstuffs and medical supplies, which endangers the lives of thousands of Palestinian refugees in the camps.
The movement called for not dragging the Palestinians into the ongoing conflict in Syria and demanded the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League to shoulder their responsibilities and protect Palestinian refugees in Syria.
23 july 2013
Israel has once again warned the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of possible strikes.
“If provocations by the Syrian government continue, Israel will have no choice but to respond accordingly,” Israel's ambassador to the United Nations Ron Prosor said during a UN Security Council meeting about the Middle East on Tuesday.
Prosor repeated Western allegations that Syria possessed chemical weapons and that Israel could not tolerate it.
“I have said it before and I'll say it again, Assad has chemical weapons,” he said.
“The situation is made all the more dangerous by the fact that Assad has received advanced weapons systems that Israel simply cannot allow,” Prosor added.
The Tel Aviv regime has launched attacks on Syria several times since the beginning of 2013.
Israel has the biggest stockpile of weapons of mass destruction in the region and is the sole possessor of nuclear weapons in the Middle East.
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. According to the UN, more than 90,000 people have been killed and millions of others displaced in the violence.
Damascus says the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants are foreign nationals.
The Syrian government says the West and its regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting the militants.
The militants from a number of countries have been crossing into Syria to fight against the Syrian government, contributing to an international effort to destabilize the Arab country.
Several international human rights organizations say the foreign-sponsored militants have committed war crimes in Syria.
The Syrian troops have recently conducted successful clean-up operations across the country, inflicting heavy losses on the foreign-backed militants.
The Syrian Army’s push against the militants rattled their foreign sponsors.
“If provocations by the Syrian government continue, Israel will have no choice but to respond accordingly,” Israel's ambassador to the United Nations Ron Prosor said during a UN Security Council meeting about the Middle East on Tuesday.
Prosor repeated Western allegations that Syria possessed chemical weapons and that Israel could not tolerate it.
“I have said it before and I'll say it again, Assad has chemical weapons,” he said.
“The situation is made all the more dangerous by the fact that Assad has received advanced weapons systems that Israel simply cannot allow,” Prosor added.
The Tel Aviv regime has launched attacks on Syria several times since the beginning of 2013.
Israel has the biggest stockpile of weapons of mass destruction in the region and is the sole possessor of nuclear weapons in the Middle East.
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. According to the UN, more than 90,000 people have been killed and millions of others displaced in the violence.
Damascus says the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants are foreign nationals.
The Syrian government says the West and its regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting the militants.
The militants from a number of countries have been crossing into Syria to fight against the Syrian government, contributing to an international effort to destabilize the Arab country.
Several international human rights organizations say the foreign-sponsored militants have committed war crimes in Syria.
The Syrian troops have recently conducted successful clean-up operations across the country, inflicting heavy losses on the foreign-backed militants.
The Syrian Army’s push against the militants rattled their foreign sponsors.
22 july 2013
The action group for Palestinians in Syria said that 60 Palestinian refugees were on board two boats that capsized off the Egyptian coast. It said in a press release on Monday that the Palestinian refugees were fleeing war-torn Syria and were planning to travel to Italy from Egypt.
It said that both boats overturned when their owners fled after Egyptian coastguards arrived near them as they were carrying those refugees illegally.
The group said that one of the boats capsized near the Egyptian coast and its passengers were rescued and taken to an Egyptian hospital in Alexandria.
It added that the other boat, which carried six families including 12 children, sank outside Egyptian regional waters and its passengers were stranded at an island in the international waters and were asking for help.
It said that both boats overturned when their owners fled after Egyptian coastguards arrived near them as they were carrying those refugees illegally.
The group said that one of the boats capsized near the Egyptian coast and its passengers were rescued and taken to an Egyptian hospital in Alexandria.
It added that the other boat, which carried six families including 12 children, sank outside Egyptian regional waters and its passengers were stranded at an island in the international waters and were asking for help.
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by PressTV
Many Palestinian refugees have joined the Syrian Army in its fight against the foreign-sponsored militants at the Yarmouk refugee camp near the capital Damascus, Press TV reports. Yarmouk camp is home to the largest Palestinian refugee community in Syria. The camp turned into a flashpoint area in Damascus when unrest broke out in the Arab country in 2011. But now, in a bid to secure their home community, Palestinian volunteer fighters along with the Syrian Army fight the militants and have made significant gains. "We are trying to regain control of the camp and regain their houses and pushed them (militants) outside the camp," a Palestinian refugee told a Press TV correspondent at the camp. "I cannot show my face because there are terrorists inside the camp and I have family members," he added. "You can see the destruction caused by the terrorists," he said pointing towards the bullet holes in the walls. "No one would such cause destruction to their own house; so, these people are not from the camp." |
According to the Press TV correspondent at Yarmouk Camp, the battle in the camp is a very complicated task and there are many reasons for that. It is the closest point the militants have to Damascus, and they will not relinquish it easily.
In addition, refugees are still going back to check on their houses in the once-densely populated area, and not to forget narrow streets of the camp with high buildings next to each other.
Fighting in Yarmouk camp is taking place from one building to the other and from one room to the other, making it a very difficult.
Palestinian volunteer fighters have been advancing into the camp slowly, facing the militants who have turned every building and every street into a bunker.
The frontlines are so close that either side can only whisper not to be heard while traveling in a maze of apartments that allow them to travel for hundreds of meters and maybe kilometers without setting a foot on a street.
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. According to the UN, more than 90,000 people have been killed and millions of others displaced in the violence.
Damascus says the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants are foreign nationals.
The Syrian government says the West and its regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting the militants.
In addition, refugees are still going back to check on their houses in the once-densely populated area, and not to forget narrow streets of the camp with high buildings next to each other.
Fighting in Yarmouk camp is taking place from one building to the other and from one room to the other, making it a very difficult.
Palestinian volunteer fighters have been advancing into the camp slowly, facing the militants who have turned every building and every street into a bunker.
The frontlines are so close that either side can only whisper not to be heard while traveling in a maze of apartments that allow them to travel for hundreds of meters and maybe kilometers without setting a foot on a street.
Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. According to the UN, more than 90,000 people have been killed and millions of others displaced in the violence.
Damascus says the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants are foreign nationals.
The Syrian government says the West and its regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting the militants.
20 july 2013
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A Palestinian refugee was killed on Friday in clashes between Syrian regime forces and fighters from the Free Syrian Army, a Palestinian group said.
Ahmad Rifay was shot dead during clashes in the city of Daraa, the Taskforce for Palestinians in Syria said in a statement. He lived in Daraa refugee camp.
Several shells also landed in Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus, causing material damages. No injuries have been reported.
In Khan al-Sheik refugee camp southwest of Damascus, residents say Syrian forces have imposed a blockade on the camp, creating a severe humanitarian crisis due to a shortage in fuel and bread.
Meanwhile, Syrian intelligence forces released two Palestinian refugees who had been detained for several months, the group added.
Khalid Qawasmah from Handarat refugee camp and Amin Shawish from Raml refugee camp in Latakia were released on Friday by the Syrian regime.
Husam Arisha, 26, from Yarmouk refugee camp has been in Syrian custody for almost eight months, while female activist Suad al-Tayyib was arrested for the second time on Friday, the group said.
Ahmad Rifay was shot dead during clashes in the city of Daraa, the Taskforce for Palestinians in Syria said in a statement. He lived in Daraa refugee camp.
Several shells also landed in Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus, causing material damages. No injuries have been reported.
In Khan al-Sheik refugee camp southwest of Damascus, residents say Syrian forces have imposed a blockade on the camp, creating a severe humanitarian crisis due to a shortage in fuel and bread.
Meanwhile, Syrian intelligence forces released two Palestinian refugees who had been detained for several months, the group added.
Khalid Qawasmah from Handarat refugee camp and Amin Shawish from Raml refugee camp in Latakia were released on Friday by the Syrian regime.
Husam Arisha, 26, from Yarmouk refugee camp has been in Syrian custody for almost eight months, while female activist Suad al-Tayyib was arrested for the second time on Friday, the group said.
19 july 2013
The ongoing conflict in Syria has resulted in the martyrdom of 1400 Palestinian refugees and thousands of injuries in addition to the displacement of 80% of Palestinian refugees living in the country, the Working Group for Palestinians in Syria said. In its annual report July 2012-June 2013, the Working Group confirmed that 9 Palestinian refugee camps out of 12 camps in Syria have become a violent battlefields subjected to daily bombardment and shelling.
The report stated that more than two-thirds of Palestinian refugees living in the country, approximately 530,000 Palestinian refugees according to UNRWA, have been displaced.
Between 12 and 15 percent of the Palestinian refugee population has fled the country altogether, UNRWA said.
Number of Palestinian martyrs and wounded in Syria have noticeably increased due to the continued siege imposed on the Palestinian camps by the regime forces.
The siege severely weakened medical services available to the refugee camps' embattled residents, where individuals or groups who have attempted to smuggle medical supplies into the camps have been targeted as well.
The report documents serious violations committed by Elements of the two parties of the conflict in Syria against doctors, nurses and medical crews resulted in a complete ban on any medicine or medical supplies entering the Palestinian camps.
The Working Group for Palestinians in Syria expressed deep concern over the fate of thousands of Palestinian refugees who are stuck in the camps including women, children and patients with chronic diseases in light the acute shortage in medical supplies.
The report stated that more than two-thirds of Palestinian refugees living in the country, approximately 530,000 Palestinian refugees according to UNRWA, have been displaced.
Between 12 and 15 percent of the Palestinian refugee population has fled the country altogether, UNRWA said.
Number of Palestinian martyrs and wounded in Syria have noticeably increased due to the continued siege imposed on the Palestinian camps by the regime forces.
The siege severely weakened medical services available to the refugee camps' embattled residents, where individuals or groups who have attempted to smuggle medical supplies into the camps have been targeted as well.
The report documents serious violations committed by Elements of the two parties of the conflict in Syria against doctors, nurses and medical crews resulted in a complete ban on any medicine or medical supplies entering the Palestinian camps.
The Working Group for Palestinians in Syria expressed deep concern over the fate of thousands of Palestinian refugees who are stuck in the camps including women, children and patients with chronic diseases in light the acute shortage in medical supplies.
17 july 2013
UNRWA expressed great sorrow at the death of another member of staff in Syria, who lost his life as a result of the ongoing conflict. Muhannad Ashmawi, born 18 July, 1974, joined UNRWA in 2007 as a school attendant.
UNRWA revealed in a press release that Ashmawi served in two UNRWA schools in Yarmouk, where he had lived alone after sending his wife, son and daughter, aged 12 and 9, to safety in Lattakia, western Syria. On 9 July, Mr. Ashmawi sustained serious head injuries when a shell exploded at the southern end of Palestine Street in Yarmouk. Ongoing conflict prevents the functioning of hospitals or clinics in Yarmouk, so Mr Ashmawi was rushed by neighbours to Al Moshtahed hospital in central Damascus. He died of his injuries on 14 July. UNRWA sends its deep and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Muhannad Ashmawi.
UNRWA has informed the Syrian authorities of the death of its staff member and is reiterating its calls to afford protection from the effects of armed conflict for refugees and other civilians across Syria.
Muhannad Ashmawi is the seventh UNRWA staff member to be killed as a result of the Syria conflict. His tragic death occurs against the backdrop of intensifying armed conflict in Yarmouk and other Palestine refugee camps and neighbourhoods across Syria. This is aggravating an already dire humanitarian situation, causing new waves of significant, recurrent displacement and raising the toll of deaths and serious injuries among Palestinians and Syrians.
In Damascus Governorate, armed hostilities are frequently occurring in Yarmouk, Qabr Essit, Sbeineh and Husseiniyah camps with the loss of several Palestine refugee lives in recent weeks. In Dera'a, intense clashes and shelling continue in the vicinity of Dera'a refugee camp, while fierce hostilities in Homs have resulted in a number of shells and stray bullets impacting the Palestine refugee camp.
UNRWA condemns the persistent failure of all sides to protect civilians and safeguard human life in Syria. Violations of international humanitarian law are causing civilian deaths, injuries and displacement, including among the Palestine refugee community in Syria. Armed opposition groups and other parties to the conflict must desist from taking up positions or conducting the conflict in Palestine refugee camps and other civilian areas.
UNRWA deplores the immeasurable, needless human suffering that continues to affect communities across Syria. This is due to insistence on attempting to resolve the Syria conflict militarily. In the strongest terms, UNRWA reiterates its appeal to all concerned parties to end the suffering, comply with their obligations under international law and resolve the conflict in Syria through mediated dialogue and negotiations.
UNRWA revealed in a press release that Ashmawi served in two UNRWA schools in Yarmouk, where he had lived alone after sending his wife, son and daughter, aged 12 and 9, to safety in Lattakia, western Syria. On 9 July, Mr. Ashmawi sustained serious head injuries when a shell exploded at the southern end of Palestine Street in Yarmouk. Ongoing conflict prevents the functioning of hospitals or clinics in Yarmouk, so Mr Ashmawi was rushed by neighbours to Al Moshtahed hospital in central Damascus. He died of his injuries on 14 July. UNRWA sends its deep and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Muhannad Ashmawi.
UNRWA has informed the Syrian authorities of the death of its staff member and is reiterating its calls to afford protection from the effects of armed conflict for refugees and other civilians across Syria.
Muhannad Ashmawi is the seventh UNRWA staff member to be killed as a result of the Syria conflict. His tragic death occurs against the backdrop of intensifying armed conflict in Yarmouk and other Palestine refugee camps and neighbourhoods across Syria. This is aggravating an already dire humanitarian situation, causing new waves of significant, recurrent displacement and raising the toll of deaths and serious injuries among Palestinians and Syrians.
In Damascus Governorate, armed hostilities are frequently occurring in Yarmouk, Qabr Essit, Sbeineh and Husseiniyah camps with the loss of several Palestine refugee lives in recent weeks. In Dera'a, intense clashes and shelling continue in the vicinity of Dera'a refugee camp, while fierce hostilities in Homs have resulted in a number of shells and stray bullets impacting the Palestine refugee camp.
UNRWA condemns the persistent failure of all sides to protect civilians and safeguard human life in Syria. Violations of international humanitarian law are causing civilian deaths, injuries and displacement, including among the Palestine refugee community in Syria. Armed opposition groups and other parties to the conflict must desist from taking up positions or conducting the conflict in Palestine refugee camps and other civilian areas.
UNRWA deplores the immeasurable, needless human suffering that continues to affect communities across Syria. This is due to insistence on attempting to resolve the Syria conflict militarily. In the strongest terms, UNRWA reiterates its appeal to all concerned parties to end the suffering, comply with their obligations under international law and resolve the conflict in Syria through mediated dialogue and negotiations.
The number of people fleeing the conflict in Syria has escalated to an average of 6,000 a day during 2013 - a rate not seen since the genocide in Rwanda nearly two decades ago, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday.
Guterres said two-thirds of the nearly 1.8 million refugees registered with the United Nations in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt and elsewhere had left Syria since the beginning of the year.
"We have not seen a refugee outflow escalate at such a frightening rate since the Rwandan genocide almost 20 years ago," Guterres told a rare public briefing to the UN Security Council on Syria, where a government crackdown on pro-democracy protests more than two years ago has spiraled into civil war.
Thousands of people fled Rwanda after the 1994 genocide in which 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed.
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic told the Security Council that between March 2011 and the end of April 2013 at least 92,901 people were killed in Syria of which more than 6,500 were children.
The Security Council has been deadlocked on Syria. Russia, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and China have three times blocked action against Assad that was backed by the remaining veto powers - the United States, Britain and France.
Syria's UN Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari said the Syrian government was doing "everything possible to shoulder its responsibility and its duty to its people, to meet the humanitarian needs and the basic needs of its citizens."
UN aid chief Valerie Amos said the world was "not only watching the destruction of a country but also of its people."
"The security, economic, political, social, development and humanitarian consequences of this crisis are extremely grave and its human impact immeasurable in terms of the long term trauma and emotional impact on this and future generations of Syrians," Amos told the council.
She said 6.8 million Syrians need urgent humanitarian assistance, including more than 4.2 million internally displaced, and that almost half of those needing help were children. The latest assessment by the World Food Programme was that 4 million people can no longer meet their basic food needs.
Amos said another $3.1 billion was needed to help people in Syria and neighboring countries for the rest of the year.
There are more than 600,000 refugees registered in Lebanon, 160,000 in Iraq, 90,000 in Egypt and 1 million in Turkey and Jordan, said Guterres, who described the impact as "crushing."
Lebanon's UN Ambassador Nawaf Salam said his country's borders would remain open to Syrian refugees, even though the conflict was threatening Lebanese security and stability. He said the Lebanese General Security Directorate puts the number of Syrians in Lebanon at 1.2 million.
"It is as if your country, the United States of America, were going to have an influx of over 75 million refugees, or over twice the population of Canada," Salam said to U.S. Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo, the council president for July.
"Could you imagine the impacts of an influx of such magnitude on your own country?" he asked.
Guterres said two-thirds of the nearly 1.8 million refugees registered with the United Nations in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt and elsewhere had left Syria since the beginning of the year.
"We have not seen a refugee outflow escalate at such a frightening rate since the Rwandan genocide almost 20 years ago," Guterres told a rare public briefing to the UN Security Council on Syria, where a government crackdown on pro-democracy protests more than two years ago has spiraled into civil war.
Thousands of people fled Rwanda after the 1994 genocide in which 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed.
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic told the Security Council that between March 2011 and the end of April 2013 at least 92,901 people were killed in Syria of which more than 6,500 were children.
The Security Council has been deadlocked on Syria. Russia, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and China have three times blocked action against Assad that was backed by the remaining veto powers - the United States, Britain and France.
Syria's UN Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari said the Syrian government was doing "everything possible to shoulder its responsibility and its duty to its people, to meet the humanitarian needs and the basic needs of its citizens."
UN aid chief Valerie Amos said the world was "not only watching the destruction of a country but also of its people."
"The security, economic, political, social, development and humanitarian consequences of this crisis are extremely grave and its human impact immeasurable in terms of the long term trauma and emotional impact on this and future generations of Syrians," Amos told the council.
She said 6.8 million Syrians need urgent humanitarian assistance, including more than 4.2 million internally displaced, and that almost half of those needing help were children. The latest assessment by the World Food Programme was that 4 million people can no longer meet their basic food needs.
Amos said another $3.1 billion was needed to help people in Syria and neighboring countries for the rest of the year.
There are more than 600,000 refugees registered in Lebanon, 160,000 in Iraq, 90,000 in Egypt and 1 million in Turkey and Jordan, said Guterres, who described the impact as "crushing."
Lebanon's UN Ambassador Nawaf Salam said his country's borders would remain open to Syrian refugees, even though the conflict was threatening Lebanese security and stability. He said the Lebanese General Security Directorate puts the number of Syrians in Lebanon at 1.2 million.
"It is as if your country, the United States of America, were going to have an influx of over 75 million refugees, or over twice the population of Canada," Salam said to U.S. Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo, the council president for July.
"Could you imagine the impacts of an influx of such magnitude on your own country?" he asked.
16 july 2013
Yakhont missile
Lebanese station says Israel attacked stockpile of Russian Yakhont missiles only after ensuring no Russian experts were on-site. Another report: Senior rebel commander passed on information regarding missile stockpile to US
Even after US sources affirmed that Israel was the one behind the bombing of the Yakhont missile stockpile in Latkia, Syria, the whole story behind the attack on the anti-ship cruise missiles remains murky. Monday evening, Lebanese channel MTV reported that Israel had bombed the advanced land-to-sea missiles, which had been transferred from Russia to President Bashar Assad, only after it made sure that no Russian experts were on-site.
At the same time, Syrian news site Al Hakika quoted Turkish officials who said that a senior rebel source, Malik al-Kurdi, sent a message to the US that Yakhont missiles had arrived in Syria and Assad intended to give them to Hezbollah.
The sources, close to the Free Syrian Army command in Istanbul, said that al-Kurdi, who defected from the Syrian Army in 2011, recently sent a message to the US military attaché in Ankara via a Turkish officer, asking to meet in order to pass on “important information of interest to the US and Israel regarding Hezbollah and the Syrian regime.”
According to the same Turkish sources, al-Kurdi said in his communiqué that "he had important military secrets related to the arrival of Yakhont missiles in Syria and that the regime intends to give some of them to Hezbollah." He noted that his former colleagues in the Syrian naval command had provided him with the information and the location of stockpiles. The report claimed that the senior rebel gave the US naval attaché additional, accurate information regarding the stockpiles, and met with him again at the end of June. According to the Turkish sources, this information was what made it possible for Israel – after consultation and coordination with the US government – to determine at least three locations where the missiles were stored.
The same report said that the missiles were destroyed with three sea-to-land Harpoon missiles.
On Monday, the Russian news site RT reported that Israel used military bases in Turkey for one of the sea-to-land strikes against Syria. Apparently, this referred to the attack on arsenals in Latakia, which was generally attributed to the Israeli Air Force. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu quickly denied the report of Turkey's involvement, calling it a complete lie.
Another article, this one appearing earlier in the week in Britian's Sunday Times, stated that the missiles which destroyed the Yakhont stockpile were launched from a Dolphin submarine. It is still unclear how the attack was carried out.
Related stories:
Lebanese station says Israel attacked stockpile of Russian Yakhont missiles only after ensuring no Russian experts were on-site. Another report: Senior rebel commander passed on information regarding missile stockpile to US
Even after US sources affirmed that Israel was the one behind the bombing of the Yakhont missile stockpile in Latkia, Syria, the whole story behind the attack on the anti-ship cruise missiles remains murky. Monday evening, Lebanese channel MTV reported that Israel had bombed the advanced land-to-sea missiles, which had been transferred from Russia to President Bashar Assad, only after it made sure that no Russian experts were on-site.
At the same time, Syrian news site Al Hakika quoted Turkish officials who said that a senior rebel source, Malik al-Kurdi, sent a message to the US that Yakhont missiles had arrived in Syria and Assad intended to give them to Hezbollah.
The sources, close to the Free Syrian Army command in Istanbul, said that al-Kurdi, who defected from the Syrian Army in 2011, recently sent a message to the US military attaché in Ankara via a Turkish officer, asking to meet in order to pass on “important information of interest to the US and Israel regarding Hezbollah and the Syrian regime.”
According to the same Turkish sources, al-Kurdi said in his communiqué that "he had important military secrets related to the arrival of Yakhont missiles in Syria and that the regime intends to give some of them to Hezbollah." He noted that his former colleagues in the Syrian naval command had provided him with the information and the location of stockpiles. The report claimed that the senior rebel gave the US naval attaché additional, accurate information regarding the stockpiles, and met with him again at the end of June. According to the Turkish sources, this information was what made it possible for Israel – after consultation and coordination with the US government – to determine at least three locations where the missiles were stored.
The same report said that the missiles were destroyed with three sea-to-land Harpoon missiles.
On Monday, the Russian news site RT reported that Israel used military bases in Turkey for one of the sea-to-land strikes against Syria. Apparently, this referred to the attack on arsenals in Latakia, which was generally attributed to the Israeli Air Force. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu quickly denied the report of Turkey's involvement, calling it a complete lie.
Another article, this one appearing earlier in the week in Britian's Sunday Times, stated that the missiles which destroyed the Yakhont stockpile were launched from a Dolphin submarine. It is still unclear how the attack was carried out.
Related stories:
Mortar fire from inside war-torn Syria hit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Tuesday, an army spokeswoman said.
"Several mortar rounds fired from Syria exploded in northern Golan without causing any damage or casualties," the spokeswoman told AFP.
It was apparently stray fire from fighting between Syrian government forces and rebels and was not deliberately fired towards Israeli-occupied territory, she added.
The Golan has been tense since the beginning of the conflict in Syria more than two years ago, but so far there have been only minor flare-ups as Syrian small arms fire or mortar rounds hit the Israeli side, prompting an occasional Israeli response.
Israel, which remains technically at war with Syria, seized 1,200 square kilometers of the strategic plateau during the 1967 Six-Day War, which it later annexed in a move never recognized by the international community.
"Several mortar rounds fired from Syria exploded in northern Golan without causing any damage or casualties," the spokeswoman told AFP.
It was apparently stray fire from fighting between Syrian government forces and rebels and was not deliberately fired towards Israeli-occupied territory, she added.
The Golan has been tense since the beginning of the conflict in Syria more than two years ago, but so far there have been only minor flare-ups as Syrian small arms fire or mortar rounds hit the Israeli side, prompting an occasional Israeli response.
Israel, which remains technically at war with Syria, seized 1,200 square kilometers of the strategic plateau during the 1967 Six-Day War, which it later annexed in a move never recognized by the international community.
15 july 2013
Russian report: Israel carried out Syria strike from Turkish base
Russian news website RT reported that according to a reliable source, the Israeli Air Force used a military base in Turkey to attack the weapons base in the Syrian port city of Latakia last week. According to the source, the Israeli jets took off from a Turkish base and reached Latakia from sea in order to not penetrate Syria's airspace.
Russian news website RT reported that according to a reliable source, the Israeli Air Force used a military base in Turkey to attack the weapons base in the Syrian port city of Latakia last week. According to the source, the Israeli jets took off from a Turkish base and reached Latakia from sea in order to not penetrate Syria's airspace.
14 july 2013
The Al-Alam Iranian news agency have reported that Syria denied that the explosions in Lathiqiyya (Latakia)Port were a result of an Israeli Air Strike, and that the explosions most likely took place during clashes between the Syrian Army and the “Free Syrian Army”.
The Al-Alam said that the explosions, that took place on Saturday at dawn, are likely a result of the clashes, and not due to an alleged Israeli attack targeting “Russian missiles being transported to the Lebanon-based Hezbollah party, that sides with Syrian President, Bashar Assad.
It is worth mentioning that three American officials claimed that the explosions are most likely a result of an Israeli Air Strike.
The unnamed officials told the CNN – America that the Israeli Air Strike targeted Russian “anti-ships missiles”.
Israeli Defense Minister, Moshe Yaalon, previously stated that Tel Aviv is not behind the attack, and that, although it bombarded various Syrian targets in the past, it has been refraining from attacking Syria.
Yaalon added that “whenever there are explosions in the Middle East, some groups rush to accuse Israel of involvement in these attacks”.
The Al-Alam said that the explosions, that took place on Saturday at dawn, are likely a result of the clashes, and not due to an alleged Israeli attack targeting “Russian missiles being transported to the Lebanon-based Hezbollah party, that sides with Syrian President, Bashar Assad.
It is worth mentioning that three American officials claimed that the explosions are most likely a result of an Israeli Air Strike.
The unnamed officials told the CNN – America that the Israeli Air Strike targeted Russian “anti-ships missiles”.
Israeli Defense Minister, Moshe Yaalon, previously stated that Tel Aviv is not behind the attack, and that, although it bombarded various Syrian targets in the past, it has been refraining from attacking Syria.
Yaalon added that “whenever there are explosions in the Middle East, some groups rush to accuse Israel of involvement in these attacks”.
13 july 2013
Israeli media say the Tel Aviv regime was behind the recent explosions in the Syrian port city of Latakia.
US officials have reportedly confirmed that Israeli fighter jets on July 5 bombarded a Syrian arsenal containing advanced Russian-made Yakhont anti-ship missiles, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported, citing the CNN.
“Israel launched the July 5 strike in order to hit the Russian-made missiles, which Israel believed pose a threat to its forces,” a report from another Israeli media outlet read.
Last week, Syrian opposition sources had reported the presence of fighter jets in the skies of the city of Al-Haffah, east of Latakia.
The Syrian government has not yet provided information on who has been behind the Latakia blasts. The Israeli regime has not commented on the media reports, either.
Israel is already believed to have been involved in at least three airstrikes against Syria since January.
Following the last of the previous Israeli attacks, the Syrian government warned that it would give an immediate response to any possible future aggression by the Israeli regime.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said in an interview with Lebanese TV station al-Mayadeen on May 29 that any response from Damascus will be given without a warning.
“Syria will not let any Israeli aggression go unanswered without retaliation. The retaliation will be the same size as the aggression, and the same type of weapons will be used,” the Syrian foreign minister stated.
Also in May, Syria’s Foreign Ministry sent letters to the United Nations stating that Israel’s aggressions show the link between Tel Aviv and the terrorist groups operating in Syria, including the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front.
The foreign-sponsored militancy in Syria has taken its toll on the lives of many people, including large numbers of Syrian soldiers and security personnel, since March 2011.
Western powers and their regional allies including the Israeli regime, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are supporting the anti-Syria militant groups, including al-Qaeda-linked terrorists, to overthrow the Syrian government.
Israel 'launched strikes near key Syria port'
A series of explosions on July 5 near the key Syrian port city of Latakia were the result of Israeli air strikes, CNN reported, citing three US officials.
In the report late Friday, the network said the strikes were aimed at Russian-made Yakhont missiles that Israel viewed as a threat to its naval forces in the eastern Mediterranean.
The Israeli military declined to comment on the report.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based rights group opposed to President Bashar Assad's regime, originally reported the blasts, saying they struck ammunition depots.
The center said there were reports of deaths and injuries but could not provide further details.
Israel has launched a number of air strikes inside Syria since the start of the two-year uprising against Assad, saying they are aimed at preventing sophisticated weapons from being transferred to militant groups.
Israel is especially concerned about Syrian weapons falling into the hands of the Lebanese group Hezbollah, a close Assad ally that battled Israel to a bloody stalemate in the summer of 2006.
US officials have reportedly confirmed that Israeli fighter jets on July 5 bombarded a Syrian arsenal containing advanced Russian-made Yakhont anti-ship missiles, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported, citing the CNN.
“Israel launched the July 5 strike in order to hit the Russian-made missiles, which Israel believed pose a threat to its forces,” a report from another Israeli media outlet read.
Last week, Syrian opposition sources had reported the presence of fighter jets in the skies of the city of Al-Haffah, east of Latakia.
The Syrian government has not yet provided information on who has been behind the Latakia blasts. The Israeli regime has not commented on the media reports, either.
Israel is already believed to have been involved in at least three airstrikes against Syria since January.
Following the last of the previous Israeli attacks, the Syrian government warned that it would give an immediate response to any possible future aggression by the Israeli regime.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said in an interview with Lebanese TV station al-Mayadeen on May 29 that any response from Damascus will be given without a warning.
“Syria will not let any Israeli aggression go unanswered without retaliation. The retaliation will be the same size as the aggression, and the same type of weapons will be used,” the Syrian foreign minister stated.
Also in May, Syria’s Foreign Ministry sent letters to the United Nations stating that Israel’s aggressions show the link between Tel Aviv and the terrorist groups operating in Syria, including the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front.
The foreign-sponsored militancy in Syria has taken its toll on the lives of many people, including large numbers of Syrian soldiers and security personnel, since March 2011.
Western powers and their regional allies including the Israeli regime, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are supporting the anti-Syria militant groups, including al-Qaeda-linked terrorists, to overthrow the Syrian government.
Israel 'launched strikes near key Syria port'
A series of explosions on July 5 near the key Syrian port city of Latakia were the result of Israeli air strikes, CNN reported, citing three US officials.
In the report late Friday, the network said the strikes were aimed at Russian-made Yakhont missiles that Israel viewed as a threat to its naval forces in the eastern Mediterranean.
The Israeli military declined to comment on the report.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based rights group opposed to President Bashar Assad's regime, originally reported the blasts, saying they struck ammunition depots.
The center said there were reports of deaths and injuries but could not provide further details.
Israel has launched a number of air strikes inside Syria since the start of the two-year uprising against Assad, saying they are aimed at preventing sophisticated weapons from being transferred to militant groups.
Israel is especially concerned about Syrian weapons falling into the hands of the Lebanese group Hezbollah, a close Assad ally that battled Israel to a bloody stalemate in the summer of 2006.
12 july 2013
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov says hundreds of militants fighting against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad come from the United States and European countries including Russia.
“Syrian and Russian special services are exchanging information in connection with reports that about 600 foreign militants, including from Russia, the USA and Europe, are fighting in the territory of Syria,” Bogdanov said on Thursday.
On June 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin said some 600 Russians and Europeans are fighting as militants in Syria to bring down the government of President al-Assad.
In May, the Syrian president said militants from 29 different countries are fighting against the government in different parts of the country.
Foreign-sponsored militancy in Syria has taken its toll on the lives of many people, including large numbers of Syrian soldiers and security personnel, since March 2011.
Western powers and their regional allies including the Israeli regime, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are partners in supporting anti-Syria militant groups, including al-Qaeda-linked terrorists, to destabilize Syria and overthrow the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
In an interview with Syrian daily Al-Thawra published on July 4, President Assad said the opposition and their foreign supporters have “exhausted all their tools” in a conspiracy against Syria.
Meanwhile, police in Spain said last month that they had arrested eight people in the country’s Ceuta enclave for allegedly trying to recruit extremists and fund and facilitate their travel to Syria to fight alongside the militants.
Spain accused the arrested people of being linked to the al-Qaeda.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov says hundreds of militants fighting against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad come from the United States and European countries including Russia.
“Syrian and Russian special services are exchanging information in connection with reports that about 600 foreign militants, including from Russia, the USA and Europe, are fighting in the territory of Syria,” Bogdanov said on Thursday.
On June 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin said some 600 Russians and Europeans are fighting as militants in Syria to bring down the government of President al-Assad.
In May, the Syrian president said militants from 29 different countries are fighting against the government in different parts of the country.
Foreign-sponsored militancy in Syria has taken its toll on the lives of many people, including large numbers of Syrian soldiers and security personnel, since March 2011.
Western powers and their regional allies including the Israeli regime, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are partners in supporting anti-Syria militant groups, including al-Qaeda-linked terrorists, to destabilize Syria and overthrow the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
In an interview with Syrian daily Al-Thawra published on July 4, President Assad said the opposition and their foreign supporters have “exhausted all their tools” in a conspiracy against Syria.
Meanwhile, police in Spain said last month that they had arrested eight people in the country’s Ceuta enclave for allegedly trying to recruit extremists and fund and facilitate their travel to Syria to fight alongside the militants.
Spain accused the arrested people of being linked to the al-Qaeda.
11 july 2013
The Working Group for Palestinian Refugees in Syria confirmed that Yarmouk refugee camp has been subjected to heavy shelling during clashes between the Free Syrian Army (FSR) and the regime forces. NO injuries were reported. Social Networking sites stated that the Syrian regime and the Popular Front forces have imposed control over the area after the withdrawal of the FSA.
The working group pointed out to the difficult living conditions in Neirab refugee camp, where the Palestinian refugees suffer from serious shortages in basic food products, fuel and medicine. They also faced power cuts since 8 months continuously.
Since December, Al-Sabina refugee camp has been witnessing a continuous siege imposed by the regime forces, led to severe shortage in food products and medicines, the group said.
Thousands of refugees have fled the camp due to the deteriorating security situation and the power and communication outages.
Husseiniyeh refugee camp is also witnessing an acute humanitarian crisis in light the continued siege imposed by the regime forces. Residents complained about the mass arrests launched by Syrian security forces and the FSA misbehavior against men, women and elderly people every day as they cross the checkpoint.
The group added that Khan Dannoun refugee camp has witnessed a state of stability in comparison with the other Palestinian camps while its residents suffer from shortage in fuel food products and medical supplies in addition to power and communication cut.
The working group pointed out to the difficult living conditions in Neirab refugee camp, where the Palestinian refugees suffer from serious shortages in basic food products, fuel and medicine. They also faced power cuts since 8 months continuously.
Since December, Al-Sabina refugee camp has been witnessing a continuous siege imposed by the regime forces, led to severe shortage in food products and medicines, the group said.
Thousands of refugees have fled the camp due to the deteriorating security situation and the power and communication outages.
Husseiniyeh refugee camp is also witnessing an acute humanitarian crisis in light the continued siege imposed by the regime forces. Residents complained about the mass arrests launched by Syrian security forces and the FSA misbehavior against men, women and elderly people every day as they cross the checkpoint.
The group added that Khan Dannoun refugee camp has witnessed a state of stability in comparison with the other Palestinian camps while its residents suffer from shortage in fuel food products and medical supplies in addition to power and communication cut.
10 july 2013
The Israeli military is set to deploy a new regional unit along the Syrian border in the occupied Golan Heights, a military source says.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the Israeli military source told Xinhua on Wednesday that the new unit would be the Israeli regime’s fifth regional division to operate in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The Israeli daily Haaretz also reported that the decision had been finalized by Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen Benny Gantz earlier this week.
The regime in Tel Aviv has recently increased its military activities in the occupied Syrian territory of Golan Heights.
On June 26, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that military maneuvers may be carried out in the occupied Golan Heights in the near future, the Times of Israel reported.
The Israeli military has also been behind a number of aerial assaults on the Syrian soil over the past months.
On May 5, the Israeli military launched an airstrike on the Jamraya Research Center in a suburb of the Syrian capital Damascus.
The regime in Tel Aviv, along with the West and its other regional allies, are supporting over two years of deadly crisis plaguing Syria.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the Israeli military source told Xinhua on Wednesday that the new unit would be the Israeli regime’s fifth regional division to operate in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The Israeli daily Haaretz also reported that the decision had been finalized by Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen Benny Gantz earlier this week.
The regime in Tel Aviv has recently increased its military activities in the occupied Syrian territory of Golan Heights.
On June 26, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that military maneuvers may be carried out in the occupied Golan Heights in the near future, the Times of Israel reported.
The Israeli military has also been behind a number of aerial assaults on the Syrian soil over the past months.
On May 5, the Israeli military launched an airstrike on the Jamraya Research Center in a suburb of the Syrian capital Damascus.
The regime in Tel Aviv, along with the West and its other regional allies, are supporting over two years of deadly crisis plaguing Syria.
A Palestinian was killed Tuesday in the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus as clashes between Syrian regime forces and rebels continued, a Palestinian group said.
Mahmoud Shibabi was killed by shrapnel from a shell that hit the camp, the Taskforce for Palestinians in Syria said in a statement.
Troops loyal to President Bashar Assad engaged in fierce clashes with rebel groups in several areas of the camp. Both sides used heavy weapons, the taskforce said.
The Free Syrian Army has threatened to start a major battle in Yarmouk, calling it the "Storm in the south", the taskforce said.
According to the taskforce, FSA rebels threatened to target all regime checkpoints in the camp including those on Palestine Street, Nisreem Street, the Tadamun neighborhood, Thirties Street and Yarmouk Street.
"Rebels will clean the southern area of all checkpoints which have been humiliating citizens every day," the rebel statement said, according to the taskforce.
In a statement Tuesday, the taskforce said Syrian regime troops were harassing Palestinian refugees at army checkpoints, verbally abusing men, women and the elderly on a daily basis.
According to the group, the troops force the residents to stand in a queue then ask a veiled collaborator to look at them and say if they participate in political activities or cooperate with the rebels. The checkpoint is open and closed depending on the soldiers' mood, the group added.
Meanwhile, residents complained about looting by rebels of the Free Syrian Army who, according to the Taskforce, rob houses and stores at gunpoint.
Mahmoud Shibabi was killed by shrapnel from a shell that hit the camp, the Taskforce for Palestinians in Syria said in a statement.
Troops loyal to President Bashar Assad engaged in fierce clashes with rebel groups in several areas of the camp. Both sides used heavy weapons, the taskforce said.
The Free Syrian Army has threatened to start a major battle in Yarmouk, calling it the "Storm in the south", the taskforce said.
According to the taskforce, FSA rebels threatened to target all regime checkpoints in the camp including those on Palestine Street, Nisreem Street, the Tadamun neighborhood, Thirties Street and Yarmouk Street.
"Rebels will clean the southern area of all checkpoints which have been humiliating citizens every day," the rebel statement said, according to the taskforce.
In a statement Tuesday, the taskforce said Syrian regime troops were harassing Palestinian refugees at army checkpoints, verbally abusing men, women and the elderly on a daily basis.
According to the group, the troops force the residents to stand in a queue then ask a veiled collaborator to look at them and say if they participate in political activities or cooperate with the rebels. The checkpoint is open and closed depending on the soldiers' mood, the group added.
Meanwhile, residents complained about looting by rebels of the Free Syrian Army who, according to the Taskforce, rob houses and stores at gunpoint.
9 july 2013
Three Palestinian refugees and a Syrian resident of the Yarmouk refugee camp were killed as clashes between the Syrian regime and rebels of the Free Syrian Army continued Monday, says a Palestinian group based in Syria.
The Taskforce for Palestinian in Syria said Tuesday that three of the victims were killed by fresh tank shells which hit the camp, while a fourth, Yousif Muhammad Bargheis,succumbed to wounds he sustained two weeks ago.
A Syrian man identified as Basil Muhammad Ajlani was confirmed dead Monday in the camp.
A statement from the group highlighted that Syrian troops stationed at a checkpoint near the camp continued to harass Palestinian refugees and verbally insult men, women and elderly people every day as they cross the checkpoint. According to the report, the troops force the residents to stand in a queue then ask a veiled collaborator to look at them and tell if some of them participate in political activities or cooperate with the rebels. The checkpoint is open and closed depending on the soldiers’ mood, added the report.
On the other hand, residents complained about misbehavior by rebels of the Free Syrian Army who, according to the Taskforce, rob houses and stores at gunpoint.
The statement added that refugees in Daraa camp near the Jordanian border suffer from serious shortages in basic food products, fuel and medicines. They also face power cuts repeatedly.
As for Syrians who flee to Egypt, authorities at Cairo airport started to apply very complicated procedures stipulating that anyone coming from Syria must obtain an Egyptian visa, according to the statement. The statement highlighted that before the current round of troubles in Egypt it was very easy for Syrians and Palestinian refugees from Syria to enter Egypt.
A Syrian airliner was denied landing at Cairo airport Monday, and the pilot was told to return to Latakia airport.
The Taskforce for Palestinian in Syria said Tuesday that three of the victims were killed by fresh tank shells which hit the camp, while a fourth, Yousif Muhammad Bargheis,succumbed to wounds he sustained two weeks ago.
A Syrian man identified as Basil Muhammad Ajlani was confirmed dead Monday in the camp.
A statement from the group highlighted that Syrian troops stationed at a checkpoint near the camp continued to harass Palestinian refugees and verbally insult men, women and elderly people every day as they cross the checkpoint. According to the report, the troops force the residents to stand in a queue then ask a veiled collaborator to look at them and tell if some of them participate in political activities or cooperate with the rebels. The checkpoint is open and closed depending on the soldiers’ mood, added the report.
On the other hand, residents complained about misbehavior by rebels of the Free Syrian Army who, according to the Taskforce, rob houses and stores at gunpoint.
The statement added that refugees in Daraa camp near the Jordanian border suffer from serious shortages in basic food products, fuel and medicines. They also face power cuts repeatedly.
As for Syrians who flee to Egypt, authorities at Cairo airport started to apply very complicated procedures stipulating that anyone coming from Syria must obtain an Egyptian visa, according to the statement. The statement highlighted that before the current round of troubles in Egypt it was very easy for Syrians and Palestinian refugees from Syria to enter Egypt.
A Syrian airliner was denied landing at Cairo airport Monday, and the pilot was told to return to Latakia airport.
6 july 2013
Two Palestinian refugees were killed Friday in ongoing clashes between military forces of the Syrian regime and rebels in the outskirts of Damascus, according to a Palestinian group.
The Taskforce for Palestinians in Syria said in a statement Saturday that Amani Jamal Naora was shot dead in the southern Syria town of Babbila in Rif Dimashq district. Separately, a young man identified as Jihad Muhammad Kheir Shihabi was killed by an artillery shell in Al-Hujira, a village near Babbila. The statement highlighted that Shihabi was active in documenting news about Palestinian refugee camps in Syria.
Khan al-Sheikh refugee camp was also bombarded and refugees in the camp are suffering a serious humanitarian crisis, according to the group. The regime forces have imposed a blockade on the camp and as a result, residents are unable to obtain basic needs including food and fuel.
The statement added that Daraa refugee camp near the border with Jordan was hit by several shells causing material damages. No injuries have been reported. The statement added that clashes erupted in Daraa between forces of the regime and rebels. Residents there are also suffering from a serious shortage of food and other basic requirements.
In Yarmouk refugee camp, the group highlighted that residents had some moments of calm Friday, yet they still suffer as the regime forces continue to a siege on the camp which began in December. Most of the hospitals and bakeries in the camp have been shut down and the residents have been deprived of food products, medicine and fuel. The army has been preventing all residents from moving in and out for three consecutive days.
Activists wrote on Facebook that the Yarmouk camp will remain closed until Monday, and that will create a real humanitarian disaster.
A Palestinian man identified as Tariq Tamim from Yarmouk camp was released after three months in detention by the regime forces, added the statement.
The Taskforce for Palestinians in Syria said in a statement Saturday that Amani Jamal Naora was shot dead in the southern Syria town of Babbila in Rif Dimashq district. Separately, a young man identified as Jihad Muhammad Kheir Shihabi was killed by an artillery shell in Al-Hujira, a village near Babbila. The statement highlighted that Shihabi was active in documenting news about Palestinian refugee camps in Syria.
Khan al-Sheikh refugee camp was also bombarded and refugees in the camp are suffering a serious humanitarian crisis, according to the group. The regime forces have imposed a blockade on the camp and as a result, residents are unable to obtain basic needs including food and fuel.
The statement added that Daraa refugee camp near the border with Jordan was hit by several shells causing material damages. No injuries have been reported. The statement added that clashes erupted in Daraa between forces of the regime and rebels. Residents there are also suffering from a serious shortage of food and other basic requirements.
In Yarmouk refugee camp, the group highlighted that residents had some moments of calm Friday, yet they still suffer as the regime forces continue to a siege on the camp which began in December. Most of the hospitals and bakeries in the camp have been shut down and the residents have been deprived of food products, medicine and fuel. The army has been preventing all residents from moving in and out for three consecutive days.
Activists wrote on Facebook that the Yarmouk camp will remain closed until Monday, and that will create a real humanitarian disaster.
A Palestinian man identified as Tariq Tamim from Yarmouk camp was released after three months in detention by the regime forces, added the statement.
4 july 2013
The action group for the Palestinians in Syria said that 1,389 Palestinian refugees have been killed in Syria since the outbreak of the revolution. In a press release on Thursday, the action group stated that two Palestinians were killed on Wednesday in Al-Yarmouk refugee camp.
The group added that several projectiles fell in different areas of Al-Husseiniyeh refugee camp, noting that an elderly woman was wounded by sniper fire in the old project area.
It also said that the Palestinians in Dara'a refugee camp suffer from the intensive presence of snipers on rooftops inside the camps.
The group added that several projectiles fell in different areas of Al-Husseiniyeh refugee camp, noting that an elderly woman was wounded by sniper fire in the old project area.
It also said that the Palestinians in Dara'a refugee camp suffer from the intensive presence of snipers on rooftops inside the camps.
