Veteran Norwegian reaches Syria as head of UN observer

As the UN-brokered peace deal not able to contain violence in Syria, and the relation between Syria and UN touching almost an all-time low, the arrival of Major General Robert Mood as the Chief UN observer in Damascus on Sunday couldn’t have been at a more difficult time. As the Chief UN observer, Major General Robert Mood understands the complexity of the task he has on hand. He is confident that his 300-unarmed observers would carry out their role and “make a difference” in Syria. He would be helped immediately by 30 ground observers. The number is expected to double in the coming week and the rest would join in a phased manner.

The city of Homs, which has borne the worst of the violence since the beginning of uprising, reported less violence on Sunday. Rebel forces have attributed this to the arrival of UN observers in Syria.  However, there were reports of gunfire and explosions in Damascus. The Central Bank building in the capital was hit by a grenade attack on Sunday and shown some damage.

Authorities in Damascus have claimed death of 2600 security personnel at the hands of rebel forces since the beginning of Syria uprising. A day before, Damascus has criticized the United Nations Chief Ban Ki-Moon for not telling the true picture and for turning a blind eye to Syria’s problems. On the other hand, the Bashaar-Al-Asaad government have been accused of killing 9000 people by the United Nations.

Syria bound arms ship held in Lebanon

A Syria-bound ship, Lutfallah II, carrying a huge consignment of weapons has been intercepted by the Lebanese army in north Lebanon on Friday. The weapons, that range from heavy, medium to light arms and ammunitions, were found to be loaded in three separate containers on the ship. It is hinted that the consignment of goods was meant for Syrian rebels who are fighting a bloody battle against the militia in order to uproot the Bashar-Al-Asaad regime.

Lutfallah II reportedly started its voyage from Libya, then via the Egyptian port of Alexandria it reached the Tripoli port in north Lebanon, where it was supposed to unload, but instead detained. At the moment, both the ship and its crew members are reported to be in Selaata port of Lebanon for detailed investigation.

In the recent years, Tripoli in Lebanon has turned into a strong support base for the Syrian rebels. Damascus authorities have reportedly complained about their land (Tripoli) being used by the Syrian rebels for smuggling weapons into Syria.

The owner of the ship, who is a Syrian citizen, denied any knowledge of weapons being transported this way other than it was for general cargo. He claimed to be under the impression that his ship was carrying engine oil. On further probe, it was found out that the original order was for 12 containers of consignments, but after a delay of three days it came down to only three containers.

The first family of Syria faces fresh EU sanctions

In a bid to end the relentless violence in Syria, The European Union (EU) has slapped a fresh sanction on the close family members of President Bashar-Al-Assad on Friday. The ban list which already includes the President and senior officials has now his British wife, Asma Assad, and 11 other family members on it. The latest EU sanction not only forbids them to travel to any EU nations, but has also frozen their assets throughout the 27 nation block. However, this does not restrict the London-born Asma Assad, an ex-banker and a style icon, from visiting her native country, i.e. Britain.

To break the unending crackdown on people in Syria and tighten fund availability before the regime, EU has slapped Syrian currency ban last year November. Right now, as many as 150 Syrian companies and individuals are facing EU-imposed asset freeze and visa ban. Besides European Union, countries like the United States, the Arab League, Japan and such others have already sanctioned against Syria.

In spite of ongoing efforts globally to address the Syria unrest, violence is going on uninterrupted in Syria. Not less than 54 Syrians are believed to be dead on Friday. It is being claimed that heavy security forces deployed in Damascus are firing live ammunition and tear gas on people.

As many as 9000 refugees have received blankets, mattresses and food from the International Red Cross. The UN-Arab League special ambassador, Kofi Annan, is scheduled for an official visit to Beijing and Moscow this weekend to discuss on Syria crisis.

Violence spreads in Syria as car bomb hits Aleppo

Just a day after two back-to-back car bombs ripped through Damascus, the largest Syrian city Aleppo got hit by a deadly car bomb on Sunday which killed at least two and injured 30 others. The blast was reported to be in a residential area close to a state security office in Aleppo. Speculation is that, the cities which have largely remained insulated from Syrian unrest and back President Bashar-Al-Asaad regime are now getting caught in the violence. This is the fifth attack on the regime in Syria in the recent months. Like Damascus, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

While the government blames the recent spate of car bomb blasts in Syria on terrorists, anti-government activists not only deny such claims, they have alleged these attacks are government sponsored. They criticize the regime for trying to marginalize them by portraying them as ‘foreign-inspired terrorists’. However, the United States officials have indicated that there could be possible involvement of Al Queda backed Islamic militants.

It is being claimed that Aleppo police have managed to minimize casualties by acting on tip off about the car bomb blast. The explosion happened while moving the booby-trapped car to an isolated location killing a police and a civilian.

Syrian capital Damascus jolted by double bomb blasts

Two back-to back blasts ripped through parts of Damascus, the bustling capital of Syria, on Saturday leaving at least 27 dead and 140 wounded. Early report suggests that the explosion was caused by two car bombs parked in the busy commercial hub of the city that also house several intelligence and security buildings; one near the Criminal Investigation Department and the other close to Aviation Intelligence headquarters in Tahir Square. This is the latest in the series of attacks that have been carried out against President Bashar-Al-Asaad regime and security forces since December. The previous three attacks were similarly deadly.

Initially government sources have blamed the bombings on Al Qaeda, but later changed it to “armed terrorist group” – a term given to anti-government activists. Opponents, on the other hand, have denied the government’s claim and have blamed the regime for trying to cash in on the situation. Islamists militants based in Iraq is also coming out as the third possibility behind the attack, particularly by Western officials.

The Syrian government has stated that it is trying to work out a political solution with the UN. That it is trying to protect its citizens who are being slaughtered by groups of armed terrorists.

Incidentally, the latest double bomb explosions in Damascus happened two days following the first anniversary of Syrian revolution. A UN estimate has put the death count since the uprising to be more than 8000, though oppositions have claimed the death to be around 9000.

Kofi Annan calls for unfettered peace efforts in Syria

On Friday, Kofi Annan has called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to broker a deal between President Bashar-Al-Assad and the opposition to address the ongoing Syria crisis. After a supposedly close-door teleconference with the 15-nation UN council, the special UN-Arab league ambassador has stated that he is working with all stakeholders including the Syrian government and the opposition for restoration of peace in Syria. News is that the United Nations humanitarian agencies would reach Damascus this weekend to start humanitarian aid with the government of Syria.

Kofi Annan and his team are engaged to break the deadlock between the government and the opposition and end the Syria crisis. In fact, his visit to Syria last week has been to push for international monitoring, opening of political dialogue and restoration of peace.

The ex-United Nations secretary general has admitted that unlike Libya or anywhere in the Middle East, the situation in Syria is quite complex and it calls for very careful handling. He feels that any misjudgment or miscalculation could have cascading effect on the entire region. Kofi Annan has also acknowledged that till now the six-point peace proposal has not found much favor in Syria, but his team is working with the Syrian government for their approval.

Western Journalists become casualties in Syria shelling

Heavy shelling which has become a way of life in Syria under the Bashar-Al-Assad regime and particularly in the city of Homs is now on its 19th day. And on the day alone, there has been about 60 civilian deaths reported all across Syria along with death of two foreign journalists. The journalist duo has been covering mass atrocities caused by the Syrian troops. They are 56-year-old Marie Colvin, a veteran American correspondent, with the Sunday Times of London and a 28-year-old French photographer in the name of Remi Ochlik.

The day saw rockets and bombs continuously being hurled on rebel-held areas of Homs. The temporary media center which the two reporters were using as their base has also been destroyed in the bombing. It is being suspected that satellite signals might have been used to trace the location of the media center.

From the beginning, the Al-Assad government has been trying to suppress the Syrian uprising by coercion and prevent national and International media from covering it. It has also been trying to give it the name of ‘armed insurgency’. In spite of threat to their lives both Syrian and foreign journalists are working incognito in Syria to report the happenings to the world.

The death of journalists duo and thousands of civilian casualties in Syria has sparked world outrage towards the government of Damascus. The International Red Cross is hoping that the journalists’ killing would now turn the attention of the whole world towards the sufferings of innocent Syrians. Earlier the International Red Cross has also requested the Syrian government for permission to bring medical help to the worst affected areas in the country and save civilian lives.