The Syrian regime forces have besieged cities and neighborhoods and cut off supplies like medicine, flour, and bread.  They have also targeted bakeries some of which continue to operate amidst harsh conditions including no electricity, no water, and no means of communication.  In addition, the Syrian regime forces have begun to routinely target the people lining up in queues in front of bakeries by using indiscriminate shelling attacks.  Going even one step further, Assad’s forces are also targeting anyone trying to transport aid to the besieged neighborhoods.

Asheera Bakery massacre: 16 June 2012
Al-Liwaa bakery at the neighbourhood of Asheera was targeted by security forces and pro-regime shabeeha militias who opened gunfire at citizens lining up in queues to buy bread.  As a result, 3 citizens were killed and many others were wounded including a number of children.
**WARNING: VIDEO BELOW CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQJm2dHO6uI&w=500&h=400

Many citizens were wounded in the attack and are receiving treatment at make shift hospitals.

Farhanya village massacre: 16 June 2012
When village residents lined up in front of the village bakery to receive bread for their families, the Syrian regime army troops deliberately targeted them with mortars.  They killed 5 citizens whose bodies were torn apart and injured more than twenty others.

**PLEASE NOTE: THE VIDEOS PROVIDED DOCUMENTING THIS TRAGEDY WERE TOO GRAPHIC TO BE SHOWN**

Al-Hamedya Bakery Massacre
It is the only bakery that is still working in the neighborhood to provide bread for survivor residents.  This bakery was shelled with rockets that destroyed the building, killed more than 3 citizens, and wounded many others.

Poisoning Bread at Qalaat Al-Hisn
Regime forces cut off supplies of flour to Tal Kalakh bakeries for two months, as well as expropriating and hindering any shipments or attempts made to bring flour to the town.  The fuel tanks carrying oil to the bakeries were also targeted via shelling attacks.  Citizens, having no other choice, returned to buying bread provided by the regime.  The Assad regime bought bread caused more than 45 poisoning cases and caused the death of two citizens.

In their report, local doctors stated the poisoning symptoms exhibited were: nausea, stomach-ache, corestenoma and slowed heartrates.  In the light of the deteriorating medical situation and pro-regime shabeeha militias’ occupation of hospitals, the wounded have been treated with simple medical necessities in makeshift hospitals.

Children at a makeshift hospital are treated with basic charcoal and milk of magnesia remedies.

 

All information and media contained in this report provided by:

Syrian Network for Human Rights

Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies