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05 Jul 2011 17:38

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World: Syrian security crackdown brings violent repression to Hama

  • 10 Syrian citizens killed by security forces in the city of Hama source
  • » “Implacable armed repression”: Those were the words France used to describe the onslaught on the Syrian citizenry by security forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad, as they lobbied the U.N. to adopt a firmer stance on the issue. The realities within Syria are dire right now — as we’ve mentioned before, human rights groups estimate over a thousand people have been killed, and over ten-thousand detained, so in an extremely depressing way, this number isn’t surprising. French MP Gerard Bapt doesn’t see much will for international involvement, either: “With the Arab League not moving and with a nation like Saudi Arabia saying nothing publicly to condemn the killings by the Syrian regime it is difficult to see international pressure rising beyond the economic.”
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

02 Jul 2011 12:50

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World: Another governor sacked in Syria after massive protests

  • Yesterday, large protests like this one took place in Hama province in Syria. Today, Bashar al-Assad’s reaction appears to involve sacking the region’s governor in an effort to retain a handle on the situation. No details were given on Ahmad Khaled Abdulaziz’s sacking, though you can probably guess that this large protest, at the same site where Assad’s father led a bloody crackdown 30 years ago, probably had something to do with it. (And it isn’t even the first sacking of its kind, either; two other governors have already lost their gigs.) This is just one sign of the grinding gears of change in Syria — things could get interesting this month. Assad plans meetings with opposition leaders on the 10th; and the opposition plans a large conference of their own on the 16th. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Jun 2011 19:11

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World: Syrian government runs dorm raids on students at Damascus University

  • Crackdown at a Syrian college: The Syrian government’s security forces launched a series of violent raids into dormitories at Damascus University, where strongman Bashar al-Assad gave a speech earlier this week. Opposition members and witnesses claim that the violence, which reportedly injured 21 and killed 3, was in response to the students at Damascus failing to participate in pro-regime rallies. Also not to be forgotten — 130 students arrested by security forces, now under the harrowing care of Bashar al-Assad’s government. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Jun 2011 17:19

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World: Human rights groups claim terrible deathtoll in Syria

  • 1,400 Syrians killed since March, say activists source
  • » Quashing dissent, Bashar style: The above number, shocking as it is, isn’t even the full story — in addition to the 1,400 civilians believed dead, human rights groups (according to the good people at Voice of America) estimate as many as 10,000 are in detention. The Syrian government has no compunction about torture, either, leaving the grim task of wondering how many of those 10,000 are going through brutality above and beyond being locked in a cell. Bashar al-Assad’s speech on Monday, full of vague talk of reform and accusations against foreign saboteurs (this is a common tactic for him) has already been broadly dismissed by the Syrian public.
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Jun 2011 10:25

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World: Syria’s Assad makes baby steps towards reform in major speech

  • We meet today in a defining moment in the history of our country, a moment we wish to be a turning point from a yesterday when innocent blood was shed to a tomorrow when we restore the picture of serenity, freedom, integrity and solidarity. We have seen many grave hours; we have paid a grave price.
  • Syrian President Bashar Assad • During a somewhat rambling 70-minute speech — his first in two months —where he promised to allow for political parties in the country, but offered none of the concrete reforms that many hoped for. The speech was occasionally conspiratorial in nature, but less so than many of the president’s previous speeches. Large protests reportedly followed the speech in cities throughout the country. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Jun 2011 17:37

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World: More than 8,500 Syrian refugees in Turkey

  • “I, Colonel Hussein Harmoush, am leaving the Syrian army…” This is a rather captivating and moving video, showing a former Syrian Colonel discussing the refugees who have fled to Turkey, seeking to escape the oppression and violent brutality the Assad government has unleashed. Harmoush details seeing soldiers refuse to fire on civilians when given the terrible order, while others complied. This is in keeping with reports of internal fracturing in Syria, including military soldiers reportedly shot dead by government security forces for refusing to slay civilians. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

13 Jun 2011 10:49

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World: That “A Gay Girl in Damascus” hoax enrages Syrian activists

  • I say shame on you!!! There are bloggers in Syria who are trying as hard as they can to report news and stories from the country. We have to deal with more difficulties than you can imagine. What you have done has harmed many, put us all in danger, and made us fearful about (pursuing) our…activism. Your apology is not accepted, since I have myself started to investigate Amina’s arrest. I could have put myself in a grave danger inquiring about a fictitious figure.
  • GayMiddleEast Damascus blogger Sami Hamwi (who works under a pseudonym) • Expressing rage over the finding that the blogger behind “A Gay Girl in Damascus” was actually a middle-aged dude from the States. Tom MacMaster says that he used the pseudonym to focus the attention not on the person writing the blog, but on the information itself. Good to see that one worked out for you. Now you’ve instilled doubt into every true story that’s out there. Nobody would’ve been upset had you admitted you were just a middle-aged white guy who felt the political situation in Syria was worth keeping an eye on. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

13 Jun 2011 10:47

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World: Syria retakes Jisr al-Shoughour, leading to huge influx of refugees

More than 5,000 Syrians are reportedly in this tent camp in Boynuyogun, Turkey after fleeing the northern town. Tens of thousands more apparently are trying to flee the country. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

08 Jun 2011 16:44

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World: Are Syrian soldiers defecting instead of combating protests?

  • The Syrian army vs. security: It’s being reported that defections among soldiers in the Syrian military are on the rise, thanks in part to the grisly nature of the deeds they’re being asked to carry out. So says Human Rights Watch researcher Nadim Houry: “…in Daraa, for example, we know there have been some defections and in some cases some soldiers have come under fire from the security forces for defecting.” This allegation isn’t new; security forces have reportedly turned their guns on soldiers unwilling to shoot at civilians for some time now. (Warning: the source article features a graphically unpleasant image of a Syrian policeman who’s been shot dead.) source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

05 Jun 2011 12:34

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World: Golan Heights: 44 years after Six-Day War, violence erupts anew

  • “Anyone who tries to cross the border will be killed.” That was the message Israeli soldiers had today, the anniversary of the day when Golan Heights fell from Syrian hands to Israeli ones. Today, dozens of protesters, mostly Palestinian, went up to the border of the strategically-important piece of land — and were fired upon by Israeli soldiers. At least 14 died, and hundreds were injured during the protests. Prior to the violence, Benjamin Netanyahu told Israeli soldiers to act with restraint but determination while protecting the border. “To my regret, today there are extremists around us trying to breach our borders, and threaten our towns and citizens,” he said to his cabinet. “We will not allow this.” source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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