The UN-Arab League special ambassador Kofi Annan had a high level meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Sunday about Syria. Annan is currently on an official tour to Russia and China to ramp up support for restoration of peace in Syria. While extending his full support, the Russian President acknowledged that Kofi Annan could be President Bashar-Al-Assad’s last chance to avoid a violent civil war and restore peace in the country. Kofi Annan would round off the tour with China.
To end the relentless fighting since the beginning of Syria uprising last year, Annan is trying to build consensus for immediate cease fire and unfettered entry for humanitarian aid in Syria. While President Barak Obama of the United States and Turkish PM are chewing over sending medical and communications equipments, termed as non-lethal aid, to anti-government activists in Syria, it is not yet determined the nature of Moscow’s participation in Annan’s peace mission.
Despite the latest diplomatic efforts, cities of Homs and Idlib are continued to be bombarded by Syrian forces, as claimed by Syrian opposition. Unconfirmed sources have claimed 30 deaths from all across Syria on Sunday, particularly from Homs and Idlib. While some towns like Hirak and Daraa are facing acute food shortage, others are believed to be pounded by military aircraft.
Showing posts with label Homs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Homs. Show all posts
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Renewed bloodshed in Homs as Syrian military launch attack
After being declared ‘secured’ by the Syrian military, violence erupted in Homs on Wednesday as it became the target of renewed bombardment and shelling. As many as 79 Syrians are believed to be dead throughout Syria out of which 42 are from Homs. It is not yet clear what caused the sudden flare up of clash between the Syrian forces and the rebels on Wednesday.
Rumor is that, military have used tanks and helicopters to kick out the rebels from their once strong hold, Homs. More and more Sunni families are abandoning their homes for fear of pro-government groups called ‘Shabiha’. It is being claimed that the Syrian armed forces have killed at least 25 people in the Khaldiya district where refugees from war-torn neighborhoods have taken shelter. It is said that families trying to flee Baba Amr are also becoming the target of attack.
For over one year Homs has been the heartland of anti-government revolution in Syria. The year-long Syrian uprising has taken the death toll to more than 8000, though unofficially it is believed to be above 10,000. The UN-Arab League special ambassador, Mr. Kofi Anna, has been trying to broker a peace plan with the Bashar-Al-Asaad government and the opposition. He is also trying to convince the present government for unfettered human-aid access.
Rumor is that, military have used tanks and helicopters to kick out the rebels from their once strong hold, Homs. More and more Sunni families are abandoning their homes for fear of pro-government groups called ‘Shabiha’. It is being claimed that the Syrian armed forces have killed at least 25 people in the Khaldiya district where refugees from war-torn neighborhoods have taken shelter. It is said that families trying to flee Baba Amr are also becoming the target of attack.
For over one year Homs has been the heartland of anti-government revolution in Syria. The year-long Syrian uprising has taken the death toll to more than 8000, though unofficially it is believed to be above 10,000. The UN-Arab League special ambassador, Mr. Kofi Anna, has been trying to broker a peace plan with the Bashar-Al-Asaad government and the opposition. He is also trying to convince the present government for unfettered human-aid access.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Baba Amr surrendered to Syrian military as rebels retreat
Baba Amr district of Homes, the center of rebel uprising against the President Bashar-Al-Asaad regime, finally fell in the hands of nations’s military on Thursday. After taking in heavy artilleries and sniper fires from powerful Syrian troops for almost a month, the day saw heavily outnumbered and exhausted rebel forces declaring “tactical retreat” from their stronghold.
For the Syrian regime, Thursday’s rebel retreat and the overwhelming victory for its troops in Baba Amr would open up possibilities of similar lethal attacks in other rebel-dominated areas, particularly Hamas or, perhaps, Idlib Province. This may not crush all the rebel hotspots in Syria. But, it is believed, such attacks would halt rebel forces and buy time for the regime to push for superficial changes in its political power.
On the other hand, pressure is intensifying on Bashar-Al-Asaad regime to declare cease-fire. China and Russia, who were earlier against intervention, have aligned with the United States, France and other nations demanding humanitarian access in Syria. The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva have also requested the regime to allow access in the affected areas with food and other help.
It has been confirmed that The International Red Cross and Syrian Red Crescent would reach with food and medical help on Friday. Right now, nearly a month-long captivity has left the people of Baba Amr with acute shortage of water, food and medical supplies. Evacuation of women, children and the wounded is also going to be a top priority for the aid providers.
For the Syrian regime, Thursday’s rebel retreat and the overwhelming victory for its troops in Baba Amr would open up possibilities of similar lethal attacks in other rebel-dominated areas, particularly Hamas or, perhaps, Idlib Province. This may not crush all the rebel hotspots in Syria. But, it is believed, such attacks would halt rebel forces and buy time for the regime to push for superficial changes in its political power.
On the other hand, pressure is intensifying on Bashar-Al-Asaad regime to declare cease-fire. China and Russia, who were earlier against intervention, have aligned with the United States, France and other nations demanding humanitarian access in Syria. The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva have also requested the regime to allow access in the affected areas with food and other help.
It has been confirmed that The International Red Cross and Syrian Red Crescent would reach with food and medical help on Friday. Right now, nearly a month-long captivity has left the people of Baba Amr with acute shortage of water, food and medical supplies. Evacuation of women, children and the wounded is also going to be a top priority for the aid providers.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Nations warn Syrian government to declare truce or face trial
In a major development, governments across the globe, through their diplomats, are trying to press on President Bashar-Al-Assad of Syria to immediately stop violent crackdown on civilians. Till now, indiscriminate bombarding and firing by Syrian forces have taken the death toll to well above 7500. The Human Rights Commissioner of the United Nations’, Navi Pillay, has cautioned that if situation does not improve, the government of Syria would face International Criminal Court proceedings in the near term.
The United States state secretary Hillary Clinton has also condemned the action of Syrian government on Tuesday. She suggested that President Assad to be declared a war criminal or at least be forced to step down from power.
It is reported that months of government blockades have made life miserable, particularly in the cities of Homs and Hama. Essentials such as food, medical supplies and water have become scarce. With Syria crisis showing no sign of improving, there is little choice for people in both the cities between overflowing hospitals and makeshift clinics.
The United States state secretary Hillary Clinton has also condemned the action of Syrian government on Tuesday. She suggested that President Assad to be declared a war criminal or at least be forced to step down from power.
It is reported that months of government blockades have made life miserable, particularly in the cities of Homs and Hama. Essentials such as food, medical supplies and water have become scarce. With Syria crisis showing no sign of improving, there is little choice for people in both the cities between overflowing hospitals and makeshift clinics.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
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.
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.
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