8:20 PM - 23 Dec 12 · Details
FLOUR IN SYRIA NOW SUCH A PRECIOUS COMMODITY THAT CONVOYS FROM TURKEY NEED ARMED PROTECTION:
With the Assad regime deliberately destroying bakeries in Opposition held areas and stretched supply lines, even basic staple foods such as bread are in short supply. Armed convoys of flour trucks now make a perilous journey from Turkey, always in danger of being hijacked for their precious cargo.
Activists are reporting this afternoon, Saturday, the targeting by the Assad regime of another bakery in Halifya in central Hama, a town captured by Opposition fighters last week. Casualties are unclear but initial reports speak of “dozens of dead and injured”.
Some of the Opposition fighters in Aleppo are really young, many are teenagers between 15 and 18 and should be out playing football. But their experience at the hands of the regime and family loyalties has drawn them into the fight for freedom and democracy, often without their family’s consent. Now many are battle-hardened and ready for more. You can read more, HERE:
One of the most successful Opposition brigades fighting in Aleppo is the Farouq. This video shows some of their most interesting exploits, HERE:
In Homs, this Government tank was seen shelling the city from the remains of the old citadel, HERE: while in Deraa, this brave women was the first to step forward and rescue this seriously injured man from sniper fire,HERE:
Opposition fighters are also reported to have successfully overcome Government military checkpoints in the suburbs of Hama (destroying at least 1 tank, HERE: ) and Raqqa and also to have attacked a military security branch in the Hasaka suburb of Tal Burak.
Despite all of that, Assad’s delusional Information Minister, Omran Ahed al-Zouabi, has appeared on Syrian state TV telling his misled audience that “victory over the terrorists is near”.
UN ENVOY, ON WAY TO MEET ASSAD, UNABLE TO LAND IN DAMASCUS BUT FORCED TO ENTER SYRIA BY ROAD:
Internationally, Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, returning to Moscow after a meeting with the EU, told reporters on the subject of chemical weapons that, “The Syrian authorities have concentrated these stockpiles in one or two centers. Previously they were scattered around the country” and that for the moment at least they are considered safe.
He also made it clear that is was not Russia’s job to negotiate Assad’s departure and that the Syrian President, if he did leave, would not be going to Russia to find a safe haven.
Meanwhile, Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN/Arab League special envoy on Syria has arrived in Beirut, Lebanon, on his way to a meeting with Assad. Notably, he was unable to land in Damascus because of “airport security issues” and is making his way to the Syrian capital by car.
Lastly, a FSA joke doing the rounds:”If a tall, giraffe-looking Santa with blue eyes comes knocking at your door and says “Merry Chrithmath” – hang him immediately”.
A Candle for Christmas
