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NIGHT OF THE GENERALS : Paul Conroy describes "pure, systematic slaughter of civilians"
03-Mar-2012
The bombardment of Homs will be judged by history as a massacre comparable to Rwanda or Srebrenica, says a British photographer injured in the attacks. (Also read : 'The enforcer' who heads Syria’s dreaded army division (France 24))
Paul Conroy:describes 'slaughterhouse' in Homs will be the next Srebrenica or Rwanda:
Paul Conroy::Homs is comparable to Srebrenica or Rwanda:
Paul Conroy on CNN with Anderson Cooper:
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CORROBORATED EVIDENCE OF MAN SLAUGHTER
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Marie Colvin last report:
Journalist Marie Colvin in one of her last reports from Syria. She was a great journalist and an amazing person. Killed while covering the plight of the people of Homs Syria.
A Syrian activist says the fighting will not stop until either Assad is gone or the activists are all dead.
Paul Conroy: Homs comparable to Srebrenica and Rwanda (bbc)
The bombardment of Homs will be judged by history as a massacre comparable to Rwanda or Srebrenica, says a British photographer injured in the attacks.Paul Conroy, 47, told BBC's Newsnight he had witnessed "a systematic slaughter of the civilian population".
In all his experience of war zones, he had never seen anything on this level, he said, and in 10 years, the world would be "wringing its hands" in shame.
Journalist Marie Colvin, killed in the shelling, was "the best of the best".
"I don't know anyone who had her tenacity and bravery," he said of his Sunday Times colleague.
Mr Conroy, who was smuggled to Lebanon by Syrian rebels, paid tribute to the "heroes" who helped him escape, but he feared for their safety and for all the Syrian people.
"We left behind what I fear is going to be the next Rwanda, the next Srebrenica."
The bombing of Baba Amr - the rebel district of Homs which has received the brunt of the Syrian authorities' attacks - is indiscriminate, he said.
"There are no military targets, it's pure and systematic slaughter of a civilian population. The only reason those shells are going in are to eliminate the people and buildings of Baba Amr."
Conroy spent days stranded in Baba Amr with shrapnel wounds picked up in a rocket attack that killed Colvin and French journalist Remi Ochlik.
Speaking from his hospital bed in London, Conroy described conditions in Homs as catastrophic, with people living in "bombed-out wrecks" and "waiting to die".
The next phase in the conflict will not be televised but it will happen, he said.
Urging the international community to act, he said that when Baba Amr fell, the regime would turn to other areas.
"When Baba Amr is finished, and I think it's almost there now, we've watched it happen, they're going to move on, they're going to move into the countryside, the towns and there will be no witnesses," he said.
"Women, children, old men, young people will just cease to exist, they will cease to exist and in 10 years we will have an investigation and people will say 'how did this happen?'"
Conroy, originally from Liverpool but now living in Devon, said the moment his building was hit was "was traumatic, instant chaos".
"A few shells had hit the house and the final shell that killed Marie and Remi, my friend, everything went black, I felt a huge pressure in my leg... I realised it was bad, stuck a tourniquet on and essentially tried to crawl out the house where I found Marie."
He said they were taken to a field hospital which was "a living room and a kitchen table essentially," where doctors had limited supplies.
The building was taking direct hits in intense shelling which lasted 14 hours a day, he said.
"It was intense to start with but as the week went on we were living minute-by-minute in that room, literally you could hear the shells coming in.
"We also had the medics coming in saying 'We've just lost another 10 men, another five children,' so while we were in this situation we were getting daily, hourly, minute-by-minute reports of the slaughter outside, which was quite un-nerving."
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it had received the bodies of Colvin and Ochlik, and taken them to Damascus.
The Red Cross said on Saturday it will try again to be allowed access to the devastated Baba Amr district of the Syrian city of Homs, after being blocked on Friday.
It said it was "unacceptable" that its seven-lorry convoy had been stopped.
There have been reports of revenge killings and summary executions by Syrian forces since rebel fighters pulled out of Baba Amr on Thursday.How many have died?
- Uprising began a year ago with peaceful protests
- UN estimates more than 7,500 people killed
- Syria says at least 1,345 members of the security forces have been killed
- It puts the number of civilians killed at 2,493
More Here :
Syria toll passes 7,500, UN says (bbc)
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THE NIGHT OF THE SYRIAN GENERALS
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Recommended Reading:As head of the Syrian Army’s elite Fourth Division, Maher al-Assad (left) has a reputation for ruthlessness. He's also President Bashar al-Assad's (right) younger brother - and in Syria, presidential younger brothers often play the heavy.
'The enforcer' who heads Syria’s dreaded army division (France 24)The Night of the Generals:
Homs’ Long Night of the Generals Has Indeed Only Just Begun …
Related Blog:
WANTED: Did Nazi Criminal Alois Brunner train Syria’s Security Forces ?
Other Related Blogs on Syria :
Syrian Protestors Burn IRI Flag
NIAC Ambassador Majid Rafizadeh: Appeasement with Iran But Sanctions & intervention on Syria?
IN DENIAL: Barbara Walters' Interview with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad
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Syria's opposition seeks to unite
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Mar 25, 2012 11:41 PM PDTSyria's divided opposition groups are to meet in Turkey to draw up a "national pact" to back efforts to unseat President Assad's government.
Syria's opposition seeks to unite (bbc)
Annan is 'last chance' for Syria to avoid civil war
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Mar 25, 2012 11:47 AM PDTAnnan is 'last chance' for Syria (bbc)
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev has offered full support for envoy Kofi Annan's peace mission in Syria, saying it may be the last chance to avoid a "prolonged and bloody civil war".
The governent in Moscow urged Mr Annan to work with both the Syrian government and opposition to end the violence.
Mr Annan has been seeking to persuade Russia to take a firmer stance against President Bashar al-Assad's government.
He will later go to China which has also usually backed Syria at the UN.
Military defectors unite under Free Syrian Army
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Mar 24, 2012 09:54 AM PDTMilitary defectors unite under Free Syrian Army (cnn, VIDEO)
CNN) -- A top defector from the Syrian military said Saturday that armed rebel groups have aligned under the leadership of the Free Syrian Army.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Turkey's Syrian refugees try to keep revolution alive
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Mar 24, 2012 09:21 AM PDTLong struggle (bbc)
You can hear gunfire cracking over the hills of Syria just across the border these days and, through binoculars, you can see soldiers stationed on the tops of buildings.
The Syrian civil war has moved very close to Turkey. Pro-Assad forces control all the big towns, many of the villages, and most of the roads in Idlib province, which borders Turkey.
That is what has driven thousands more refugees into Turkish territory, bringing tales of extraordinary cruelty by the soldiers and Shabiha pro-government militias, and of arduous journeys through the hills and forests, carrying children, the elderly and wounded on their backs.'Tanks shell houses' in Hama, Syria
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Mar 24, 2012 01:58 AM PDT'Tanks shell houses' in Hama, Syria (bbc, VIDEO)
A Syrian activist has described how "at least 19" government tanks have rolled into the city of Hama and "shelled houses".
The anonymous speaker gave BBC World his view of what he called the worsening humanitarian situation in the city.
Syrian religious divisions reflected closely in Lebanon
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Mar 24, 2012 01:54 AM PDT"There is no god but God!" protesters chant as they march through Tripoli's old town.
The Islamist party Hizb ul-Tahrir assembles its supporters every Friday after prayers, and on Syria's "Day of Dignity" - the day following the Syrian uprising's one-year anniversary - black flags bearing the party's standard are being handed out to an eager crowd.
"No-one is doing anything to help our brothers in Syria. Europe, America - they have no answers," a young man shouts over the loudspeaker rallying the faithful.
"Syria will be free - and we will be there when that happens."
Sectarian divides in Lebanon's second largest city mirror those in neighbouring Syria, and loyalties are being severely tested.
Across the border (bbc)
Syria:10 civilians killed in bus trying to flee to Turkey
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 23, 2012 12:47 AM PDTAttack on Syrian bus 'kills 10' ( bbc)
Opposition groups in Syria say at least 10 civilians on a bus trying to flee to Turkey have been killed.
The group, which included women and children, was shot at in the northern town of Sermin, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
It is not possible to verify the reports as the Syrian government restricts access for journalists.
Opposition sources say that altogether about 60 people were killed in violence across the country on Thursday.
That tally includes government soldiers killed in clashes.
Syrian army tanks 'shell Hama'
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Mar 22, 2012 04:43 AM PDTOpposition groups in Syria say government forces are shelling a district of the city of Hama, causing heavy casualties.
Syrian army tanks 'shell Hama' (bbc)
Guide to Syrian opposition
by Darius Kadivar on Wed Mar 21, 2012 10:21 AM PDTGuide to the opposition (bbc)
Nearly a year after the uprising began in Syria, the opposition remains fractious and deeply divided.
The wide variety of political groups, exiled dissidents, grassroots activists and armed militants have been unable to agree on how to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad.
Several groups, however, have tried to form coalitions to unite opposition supporters in Syria and gain international help and recognition.
Here is a guide to some of the most prominent groups.
Tanks 'shelling Damascus suburbs'
by Darius Kadivar on Wed Mar 21, 2012 08:13 AM PDTTanks 'shelling Damascus suburbs' (bbc)
Government tanks have shelled two suburbs of Syria's capital Damascus, opposition activists say, as the UN Security Council backs a peace planOpposition: Syrian forces renew attacks
by Darius Kadivar on Wed Mar 21, 2012 05:21 AM PDTOpposition: Syrian forces renew attacks (CNN, VIDEO)
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Syria opposition groups accused of human rights abuse
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Mar 20, 2012 09:51 AM PDTSyria opposition accused of abuse (bbc)
US campaign group Human Rights Watch (HRW) says elements of Syria's armed opposition have carried out serious human rights abuses, including kidnapping, torture and execution.
The group says the "brutal tactics" of the government cannot justify abuses by armed opposition groups.
HRW calls on the opposition leadership to speak out and condemn those abuses.Fierce clashes reported in Syrian capital Damascus
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Mar 19, 2012 02:08 PM PDTFierce clashes reported in Syrian capital Damascus (France 24)
Heavy fighting between the rebel Free Syrian Army and forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad raged in the Syrian capital of Damascus Monday, one day after a car bomb ripped through a residential area of Syria's second city, Aleppo.Russia calls for Syria ceasefires
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Mar 19, 2012 12:36 PM PDTRussia calls for Syria ceasefires (bbc)
Russia has joined the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in calling for a daily two-hour humanitarian ceasefire in Syria.
In a statement, the foreign ministry called on the government "and all armed groups who oppose it" to agree to ceasefires "without delay".
Russia has twice vetoed Western-backed draft resolutions on Syria at the UN Security Council.
Its call came hours after clashes erupted in part of the Syrian capital.
Surgeon risking life to treat Syrian protesters
by Darius Kadivar on Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:27 AM PDTSecret surgery (bbc)
More than 8,000 people have been killed in Syria since the uprising began a year ago, and many more injured . Fearing ill-treatment at official hospitals, demonstrators have sought help at underground clinics. One Damascus surgeon tells his story.
Syrian rebel says regime staged attacks
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Mar 18, 2012 05:01 AM PDTSyrian rebel says regime staged attacks (cnn)
A Syrian rebel leader vehemently refutes the government's claim that "terrorists" -- not the regime itself -- launched a series of explosions in Damascus that killed dozens.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
'Deadly car bomb' in Syrian city
by Darius Kadivar on Sun Mar 18, 2012 04:51 AM PDT'Deadly car bomb' in Syrian city (bbc)
A car bomb has exploded in the Syrian city of Aleppo, reports say.
Opposition sources said there were deaths and injuries but gave no estimate of numbers.
The blast came a day after officials said two vehicles packed with explosives blew up near security buildings in Damascus, killing 27.
Dozens of people have been killed in bomb attacks in the two cities in recent months, which the government has blamed on terrorists.
The opposition has accused the authorities of staging some of those incidents.
Details of the reports cannot be independently verified - foreign journalists only have very restricted access to Syria.Syria's Kurds unsure whether to join the uprising against Assad
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Mar 17, 2012 02:32 AM PDTSyria's Kurds appear divided and unsure whether to join the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad as they marked the anniversary of bloody clashes between the Kurdish minority and security forces in 2004.
Kurds divided (bbc)
'Deadly blasts' in Syrian capital
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Mar 17, 2012 02:30 AM PDTSeveral police and civilians are killed in two explosions in the Syrian capital Damascus, state TV says, describing them as "terrorist attacks".
'Deadly blasts' in Syrian capital (bbc)
More Gulf Arab states reject Syria over crackdown
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 16, 2012 04:56 PM PDTIRI and many of their
by vildemose on Fri Mar 16, 2012 01:51 PM PDTIRI and many of their lackeys approve of these atrocities by the vampiric Bashar Al-Assad because they are killing people in the name of religion and in the name of Shia gods (hossein, ali, mohamad, abbas, khamnei, khomeine, et al). They think they are righteous in the muderous ways because they want to go to heaven and they want to be "pious" men and follow their spiritual leaders.
Khamenie and Bin Laaden are no different. Imagine, nuclear bomb in the hands of Al-Quda and Bin Laden. Containment is not an option for the free world. As Dr. RIce stated a few days ago, the long term goal of Obama Adminstration is for Khameni to give up nuclear power altogether.
//www.cnn.com/2012/01/16/world/meast/us-iran-letter/index.html
A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny.--Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.
Why have Syria and Libya's uprisings unfolded so differently?
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 16, 2012 01:39 PM PDTTale of two revolutions (bbc) by Rana Jawad
People in Libya and Syria both rose up to overthrow decades of tyrannical rule. A year on, why are they living two very different realities?
BBC Jonathan Head:"1,000 Syrians cross Turkish frontier per day"
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:01 PM PDTJonathan HeadBBC News, Turkey-Syria border
With refugees streaming across the border at a rate of up to 1,000 a day, Turkey is being forced to rethink its policy towards Syria.
Public anger over the reports of terrible atrocities by President Assad's forces, and over the detention and alleged torture of two Turkish journalists, are also putting pressure on the government.
That may be why Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ministers are for the first time talking openly about establishing a buffer zone, to protect civilians, inside Syria. It would involve Turkish troops crossing the border to protect the buffer zone, and inevitably bring them into conflict with the Syrian army.
That is a very big step for Turkey to take, and it is unlikely to happen unless the flow of refugees becomes a tide of many tens of thousands, and Turkey gets a green light, if not from the UN - at least from its Western allies and the Arab League.Assad father-in-law compares Homs to London riots
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 16, 2012 06:14 AM PDTAssad father-in-law defends Homs (bbc)
The father-in-law of the Syrian president has compared the Syrian army's crackdown in Homs, to the UK police's reponse to the London riots.
Speaking to the UK's Telegraph newspaper, Fawaz Akhras, who lives in London, said the government had a responsibility to ensure security.
His comments follow the publication of thousands of emails allegedly sent by Mr al-Assad, his wife and others.
In them Mr Akhras offers guidance on handling coverage of alleged torture.
The Guardian newspaper has published details of more than 3,000 documents that Syrian opposition activists claim are emails downloaded from private accounts belonging to Syria's first couple, although it admits it has not been possible to verify every one.Turkey urges citizens to leave Syria
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 16, 2012 06:04 AM PDTTurkey urges its citizens to leave Syria, saying they face serious security risks, a year after the start of the uprising there.
Turkey urges citizens to leave Syria (bbc)
Pro-Assad rally in Syrian capital
by Darius Kadivar on Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:35 AM PDTPro-Assad rally in Syrian capital (BBC, VIDEO)
Thousands of Syrians have gathered in the capital Damascus for a rally supporting leader President Bashar al-Assad.
It comes as a coalition of 200 aid and rights groups called on Russia and China to support the United Nations' attempts to end the violence in Syria.
The BBC's Jon Donnison reports
Assads shop on line
by Faramarz on Thu Mar 15, 2012 08:00 AM PDTThanks DK for keeping this tragedy in the front and center.
Here is what Assads are doing while people are dying.
//rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/15/ass...
Rights groups urge Syria unity
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Mar 15, 2012 06:22 AM PDT'End this horror'In a statement, the 200 aid groups from 27 countries - including Human Rights Watch, Christian Aid, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Civicus and International Federation of Human Rights - called on the Security Council to unite in passing a resolution condemning the Syrian government's use of violence, torture and arbitrary detention against civilians.
Rights groups urge Syria unity (bbc)
Thousands of Syrian refugees are arriving in Turkey
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Mar 15, 2012 06:19 AM PDTSyrian refugee exodus steps up (BBC, VIDEO)
In the past 12 months, the UN says 8,000 people have been killed in Syria and more than 200,000 have been forced to flee their homes.
Today Turkey has said that in the last 24 hours alone, some 1,000 Syrians have crossed over the border.
The BBC's Jonathan Head is in Hatay on the Turkish border with Syria.
Syria Timeline: How a year of horror unfolded
by Darius Kadivar on Thu Mar 15, 2012 03:28 AM PDTSyria Timeline: How a year of horror unfolded (cnn)