Syria: first Hama, now Deir al-Zour: 50 dead

One week after the attack on the city of Hama, the Syrian government unleashed its troops against the city of Deir al-Zour. For days, there was a build-up of forces on the city’s outskirts. Papers reported that a recent traveler had estimated that 150 tanks, 200 armoured vehicles and 200 pickup trucks mounted with machine guns were deployed around the city.

With Hama, the government started a propaganda campaign to justify their moves by saying they were combating Islamic terrorists. On Saturday, the government announced that clan elders in the region had called upon the army to protect citizens and public and private property. Deir al-Zour has been one of many cities like Hama where mass protests have been held, with hundreds of thousands in the streets.

Early Sunday morning before dawn, Syrian forces attacked Deir al-Zour. After a day of fighting, activists are saying that 50 people have been killed apparently including a family of six – a mother, father and four children – who were trying to escape the violence.

The latest reports as of Sunday evening say that 80 people have been killed across Syria on Sunday.

The United States sends ambassador

Ambassador Robert Ford arrived back in Syria this past Thursday, August 4 vowing to travel the country to observe what’s going on firsthand. Apparently Ford infuriated the Assad government when he made what was called an unauthorised visit to the city of Hama last month in July.

He appeared on ABC’s This Week with Christiane Amampour calling the violence there “grotesque” and “abhorrent.” He claims that people he had met with during his previous visit had been rounded up by the government and that there is no due process, it is just violence gotten out of hand. His fear is that this crackdown could end up being just as brutal and just as extensive as the crackdown of 1982 when it is estimated ten thousand people were killed.

Turkey sends foreign minister

Turkey is not happy. On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu flies to Syria to issue a stark warning that Turkey is going to sit on the sidelines if this crisis continues. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was quoted as saying, “We have been very patient until now, waiting to see whether we can fix this; whether they will listen to what we have been saying. But our patience is running out now.” This past Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç went so far as to describe the Hama assault as “nothing short of an atrocity” and said Turkey “cannot remain friend with whoever committed this crime.”

Turkey is a close friend of Syria and has been saying all along that the protests are an internal affair and not their business. However there is growing criticism of Syria in the Turkish government and Erdoğan’s remarks may suggest Turkey could take action. “We are not allowed to remain a bystander to what happens in Syria. We are hearing voices coming from Syria and we definitely must respond by doing whatever we are required to do,” he said, reportedly without elaborating.

Saudi Arabia recalls ambassador

Al Arabiya News in a report dated Monday, August 8, 2011 says that King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia is recalling its ambassador from Damascus for consultations.

“The Kingdom today stands up to its historical responsibilities towards its brothers,” King Abdullah said in a speech statement obtained by Al Arabiya TV. “The repercussions of the events in Syria are not part of the religion, nor values, nor ethics,” King Abdullah added.

The King’s speech comes a day after the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – issued a statement urging Syrian leaders to “resort to wisdom and introducing serious and necessary reforms that would protect the rights and dignity of the people, and meet their aspirations.” while expressing concerns over the “mounting violence and the excessive use of force which resulted in killing and wounding large numbers”.

Uploaded by AlJazeeraEnglish on Aug 7, 2011

Syrian government expands deadly crackdown

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah has demanded an end to the bloodshed in Syria. He has also recalled the country’s ambassador for consultations. King Abdullah’s comments came in a statement which urged Damascus to stop the killing machine – before it is too late. Syrian security forces killed at least 60 people on Sunday.

Published on Aug 7, 2011 by Euronews

Death toll rises in Syria as Assad ignores pleas

President Bashar al-Assad is continuing to ignore pleas from the international community to stop the violent crackdown which its claimed has cost at least 60 lives over the weekend. Activists say at least 13 people died in Homs province while over 40 were killed in the northern town of Deir al-Zour on Sunday. Neighbouring Turkey is traditionally an ally of Syria but thing are changing. On Sunday Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan spoke of his concerns.

Uploaded by Souria2011archives on Aug 7, 2011

Syria Slaughter continues as UN, Turkey, Gulf Council condemn Assad

Syria’s crackdown on anti-government protesters appears to be getting harder and wider. Witnesses say tanks have entered the eastern city of Deir ez-Zor, killing dozens of people. Meanwhile, international condemnation of the violence is mounting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbzjP4PsAno

Uploaded by malconito2003 on Aug 7, 2011

Gangs of the terrorist Bashar Al-Assad kill protesters in cold blood in Idlib in Syria

There is protester lying on the asphalt, he was killed by these terror herds of the sadistic dictator bashar Al-Assad

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