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

Anas, born in 1993, was a first-year business administration student at Al-Qalamoun Univeristy.  He grew up in Homs and lived in the Al-Hamra neighborhood.

He was one of the most prominent film activists in the city of Homs; filming hours of footage and also making sure to take care of the live broadcasting device so that the independent footage could be released.

Anas was a participant and filmed the protests at Al-Qalamoun University which placed him on the wanted list of the Syrian regime.  He was arrested at his university dorm room by Air Force Intelligence in Damascus on 16 November 2012.  He was brutally beaten and tortured by them.  Upon his release, he became even more persistent and determined in his calls for freedom.

He loved videography and used it to document crimes perpetrated by the regime.  He took to filming protests in all the dangerous places.  In addition, he made sure to film many important crimes like mortar and artillery shellings that took place.  Anas also filmed special operations led by the Free Syrian Army who trusted Anas for his courage, patience and chivalry.

On 24 February 2012, Anas visited a friend with satellite internet in Juret Al-Shyah in Homs.  He went to upload on YouTube videos of a protest he filmed in Al-Mal’ab neighbourhood of Homs on the Friday before.  On his way home, he was hit by a mortar that ripped apart his body.  Anas lost his lower body parts due to this shell fired by the Syrian regime forces.

**WARNING: VIDEO BELOW CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES**

The body of Anas after the attacks.

He was then transported to Al-Amal Hospital where there was hope that his life could be saved.  However, just as they had stopped the bleeding from his legs, Syrian regime forces raided the hospital and abducted many injured victims.  In the chaos, Anas’ comrades, members of the Free Syrian Army, were able to transport him to a make-shift hospital.  On their way to the make-shift hospital, regime snipers targeted them.  Anas died upon arrival at a make-shift hospital.

The public gathers in mass for the funeral procession of Anas.

 

All information and media contained in this report provided by:

Syrian Network for Human Rights

Damascus Center for Huma Right Studies in Syria

THE COMMENTARY IN THIS PIECE DOES NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF IMPUNITY WATCH.  

*WARNING VIDEOS MAY CONTAIN GRAPHIC IMAGES*

No Refuge!

This is a detailed and verified account of the Al-Arbeen massacre committed by the Al-Assad regime’s forces on Thursday, 19 July 2012.  On that Thursday, regime forces launched an offensive on the town of Al-Arbeen at 6:00 a.m., starting with a heavy and indiscriminate shelling attack using both military planes and tanks to shell residential homes.

A video showing a helicopter launching a shell at the town.

Snipers were stationed on high buildings and targeted any civilians attemting to step outside their home, particularly the terrified residents who attempted to flee from their homes to escape the shelling.  Regime forces paused the shelling offensive for a short period of time, but then renewed attacks with tanks, rockets, and military planes and helicopters.

Although shelling attacks were reported all over the town, 90 percent of the rockets which fell targeted At-Tahoon Street, near the old Al-Quwaidar gas station.  It left the street in shambles and completely destroyed the electric grid in the area.

The destruction caused by the shelling attacks.

Activists and eyewitnesses to the attack and its aftermath verified that more than 200 mortar shells were used to attack the town.  This military offensive by regime forces resulted in 28 casualties and dozens of wounded residents, all in a matter of a few short hours.  The makeshift hospitals established were simply not enough to keep up with the sheer amount of wounded residents brought in.
**WARNING: VIDEO BELOW CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES**

Some of the victims of the massacre.

All information and videos in this report provided by:

Syrian Network for Human Rights

Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies in Syria

THE COMMENTARY IN THIS PIECE DOES NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF IMPUNITY WATCH.  

*WARNING VIDEOS MAY CONTAIN GRAPHIC IMAGES*

The Ramadan of Our Discontent!