Friday, 03 January 2014 03:52 Daily Newsletter - 02/01/2014 Syria National Coalition

http://www.etilaf.org/en/daily-newsletter/daily-newsletter-02-01-2014.html

Sarah: Russia and Iran do not want a political solution

Fayez Sarah, Political committee member, stated today that the congruent statements released by Russia, Iran and the Assad regime are "a political symphony aimed at affecting public opinion and dissuading the opposition from going to Geneva II.” These statements, Sarah adds, seek to “persuade the external and internal sides into departing from Geneva I Communique, which is the basis on which Geneva II must be built upon. Sarah’s remarks came in response to statements made by the regime’s Prime Minister...Read more

Assad Appoints a New Commander of Militias in AleppoThe Syrian Revolution’s General Commission said that Bashar al-Assad appointed Colonel Sohail Hasan as the military commander for his militias in Aleppo to ramp up for a large-scale offensive on the city. Hasan is notorious for applying a scorched earth policy, relying mainly on spies and agents. Hasan was responsible for the Al Mastomeh massacre, the first in an episode of massacres committee by the Assad regime after the outbreak of the Syrian revolution. Hasan commanded the regime’s military operations in the coastal region in August, after commanding Assad’s troops in Idlib province. (Source: Syrian Coalition + The Syrian Revolution General Commission) ACU Provides Winter Supplies for Needy HouseholdsAssistance Coordination Unit (ACU) delivered winter clothing and supplies to needy households to help them withstand the severe weather conditions that have been sweeping the region. The supplies included winter clothing, means of heating, blankets and mattresses. ACU earlier launched the Winter Campaign that included the delivery of more than 100,000 pieces of winter clothing, 50,000 covers, 20,000 mattresses, 3,000 tons of coal, tents and setting up field bathrooms. Moreover, the Winter Campaign included the signing of a number of MOUs with local partners besides allocating $627,000 USD to finance the Winter Basket project, which aims to privide winter clothing, blankets, etc. to the needy households. The local partners will work on securing and directly distributing the supplies to the needy households. The ACU also signed further MOUs with local partners worth $110,000 USD, which will finance securing food rations to the needy households. It is noteworthy that the campaign covered the provinces of Aleppo, Idlib, Deir Ezzor, Raqqa, Latakia, Quneitra and Rural Damascus, in addition to Ghouta and Afrin and some other areas and refugee camps. (Source: Syrian Coalition)

Death Toll: 16 people killed today, 112 yesterdayThe Local Coordination Committees documented 112 people killed in Syria yesterday, while 16 people were killed as of 6:00 pm of today, including a woman and one person killed under torture. Deaths were cited as: 8 in Dara’a, 3 in Damascus, 2 in Homs, and one in each of Aleppo, Idlib and Deir Ezzor. (Source: LCC) FSA Fighters Repel Regime Attacks In AleppoFSA fighters repelled attempts by regime forces to break into the district of Jub al Jalabi in Aleppo, killing 50 pro-Assad fighters and taking four others captives. Nine inmates at Aleppo Central prison died as result of severe cold and disease, raising the number of deaths inside the prison to 30 prisoners over the past month. In the meantime, Assad’s warplanes launched barrel bombs attacks on the neighborhoods of Sakhour, Miasser, Anakarin, Bab al Nasr, Sheikh Najjar and Hamidiya, killing a number of civilians and wounding dozens. Violent clashes broke out between the Free Syrian Army and regime forces in Anakarin and Tal Sheikh Yusuf in eastern Aleppo. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC) Violent Clashes In Yarmouk Refugee Camp As Barrel Bombs Strike Damascus SuburbsViolent clashes broke out between the Free Syrian Army and the regime forces in Yarmouk district in Damascus, alongside shelling by regime force on the district that has been subject to months-long siege. The Free Syrian Army destroyed a tank for regime forces while they were trying to advance on the district of Jobar. In the meantime, several random mortar shells landed at the neighborhoods of al-Maliki and the Kabbas, with no reports of casualties. Barrel bomb attacks were reported on Darya, Khan Sheikh and Zabadani, killing two people and injuring others. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC) Regime Forces Kill Six Civilians In Dara’aRegime forces opened random fire on civilians in al Kashef neighborhood of Dara’a, killing six people and injuring many others. Three people were killed by regime shelling on the town of Jassem, alongside violent clashes between the Free Syrian Army and regime forces at the National Hospital checkpoint in the town. In the meantime, regime forces shelled the towns of Naemeh, Inkhil, Hirak and Bosra Sham, alongside clashes between the Free Syrian Army and regime forces in their surroundings. Source (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC) Ongoing Clashes in Deir Ezzor Air BaseThe Free Syrian Army clashed with regime forces in the neighborhood of Rusafa in Deir Ezzor, alongside heavy shelling by regime forces. Clashes also broke out inside Deir Ezzor air base, with reports of regime losses. In the meantime, a number of civilians were killed by regime shelling on the neighborhood of Alhamidiah in Deir Ezzor. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)

Huge Blast Hits Southern Beirut, A Hezbollah Commander Killed in Syria