Kl:19,53 17|09|2012 Dengê kurd
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The political structure of the local Syrian opposition evolves: Rebel groups in the city of Aleppo and its suburbs merged into the “Revolutionary Military Council”, while rebel battalions and brigades from other provinces in Damascus, Idlib, Hama, Homs and Deir Azzour formed the “Syria’s Liberation Front”. Both new groups serve as umbrella organizations that coordinate the work of most armed groups, battalions and brigades and ensure that armed resistance groups operate in accordance with international laws and conventions. Additionally, a group of judges who defected from the regime formed the “Syrian Judicial Council” with the responsibility of protecting and operating courthouses in liberated areas while preparing a draft constitution for post-Assad era. These efforts aim at building the political, judicial and military structure of the Syrian opposition and will increase its ability to lead the country once Assad’s regime falls.
Mass protests against the regime revived: Mass demonstrations renewed across the country last Friday exceeding more than 390 protest hot spots chanting slogans against Assad’s regime and demanding its downfall. Protesters also hailed the rebels of Idlib who shot down scores of fighter jets and helicopter gunships during clashes in the past few weeks. Despite the fact that the Syrian revolution now includes armed groups aiming at toppling the Assad regime, protesters continue to believe that peaceful protests are important and an integral part of their revolution which will continue until it achieves its gaols.
Uprising Developments
Violence keeps escalating as the southern parts of Damascus declared as “disaster areas”: Regime forces continued their military offensive throughout the country, killing at least 912 civilians, including 333 killed “execution style” mostly in Damascus where daily summary executions were reported in its southern neighbourhoods. This led to the declaration by the Syrian Revolution Coordinators Union as “disaster areas” and in need of immediate assistance. The union voiced its fears that the regime intends to commit more massacres as its military offensive continues relentlessly.
Numbers of Syrian refugees continue to steeply rise: Thousands of Syrians flee the escalating violence in the country every day. The latest figures from UNHCR indicate that the total number of Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries exceeded 274,295, distributed as follows: 89,299 in Jordan, 80,410 in Turkey, 68,164 in Lebanon and 36,422 in Iraq. The number of refugees is expected to continue to rise as violence continues to escalate.
Economy
The economic performance of Syria exacerbates: Syria posted a net trade deficit of USD 5.7 billion in 2011, according to the first data released on the country’s foreign trade performance last year. Meanwhile, inflation has slashed the purchasing power of the Syrian pound by a third due in part to economic sanctions imposed on Syria that reduced the quantity of products and services offered in the market against the high demand of consumers. The worsening economic performance in the country has become one of the reasons why Syrians flee their country searching for a safer place and better economic conditions.
International Reactions
UN and Arab League continue their efforts in brokering a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis: UN-Arab League special peace convoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi met with Bashar Assad and a number of Syrian officials during his three-day visit to Damascus. Brahimi left the country without commenting on the outcome of his visit. Nevertheless, Brahimi told reporters that great efforts will be made to end the conflict, but the crisis now poses a threat to the entire region and the world. Members of the Syrian opposition in exile and an official of the Free Syrian Army confirmed the failure of Brahimi’s mission and described his and all other diplomatic efforts as means by the international community to buy more time for Assad in order to quell the 18-month revolt against his rule.
Shiite radical organizations continue their support to Assad: The commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in Tehran on Sunday that members of Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) are in Syria providing non-military assistance and Iran may get involved militarily if Syria comes under attack. Syrian activists in the Hasaka suburb of Shadadi along the Iraqi border confirmed that more than 200 personnel from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard entered the town from Iraq. Meanwhile, The United States accused the Lebanese group Hezbollah and its Secretary General Hasan Nasrallah of supporting Bashar Assad in his fight against opposition forces by providing training and logistical support. The Shiite radical powers of the region seem to be committed to provide unlimited support to Assad’s regime as the collapse of the Syrian regime means the breakdown of the axis of the Shiite power in the region.
Syrian Press Focus
Syrians protest over a film about Prophet Muhammad: The Syrian media covered a demonstration outside the US embassy in Damascus protesting an American-made anti-Islam film. Ironically, the Assad regime has targeted places of worship and committed crimes against humanity while claiming to oppose a film that was condemned by the US president.
Lakhdar Brahimi’s visit to Damascus: The Syrian media covered the meeting of Assad and a number of his officials with the UN-Arab League peace convoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi, confirming their commitment in collaborating with Lakhdar Brhaimi mission’s despite the fact that his predecessor quit his mission after realizing that the Assad regime doesn’t take promises seriously.