By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – The Human Rights Watch has issued a report that alleges Syrian rebels killed 190 civilians and took 200 hostages during a single offensive in August. The particular offensive occurred on  August 4th in the Latakia province, which is home to many Alawites, a minority sect that supports President Bashar al-Assad.

The attack began in the dawn hours and targeted more than a dozen villages. The report cites evidence, which includes video footage, that demonstrates the rebels attacked with a strategy focused on killing civilian men and keeping their women and children as hostages.

“Eight survivors and witnesses described how opposition forces executed residents and opened fire on civilians, sometimes killing or attempting to kill entire families who were either in their homes unarmed or fleeing from the attack, and at other times killing adult male family members, and holding the female relatives and children hostage,” the report says.

Joe Stork, acting Middle East director at HRW, said the abuses were “not the actions of rogue fighters.”

“This operation was a co-ordinated, planned attack on the civilian population in these Alawite villages,” he said.

The report states that out of the 190 dead civilians at least 67 were executed or unlawfully killed. For example, a video posted online by the rebels shows a fighter leading a peaceful woman in good health out of her house, yet she was found buried days later.

Additionally, two rebel groups are still holding over 200 hostages from the attack according to opposition sources. While negotiations for their release are ongoing, Human Rights Watch has called for their release and demanded that they be treated humanely.

In conducting the report, Human Rights Watch interviewed more than 35 people, including survivors, emergency responders, and fighters on both sides. Further, the group completed an on-site investigation, documenting the destruction caused by the attack. The group also received medical reports for several victims that were consistent with execution.

The report “strongly suggests that the killings, hostage taking, and other abuses committed by opposition forces on and after August 4 rise to the level of crimes against humanity.”

For further information, please see:

BBC – Syrian rebels executed civilians, says Human Rights Watch – 11 October 2013

Human Rights Watch – Syria: Executions, Hostage Taking by Rebels – 11 October 2013

Guardian – Syrian rebels accused of killing hundreds of civilians – 11 October 2013

New York Times – Syrian Civilians Bore Brunt of Rebels’ Fury, Report Says –  11 October 2013

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt – Speaking shortly after arriving in Malaysia, United States Secretary of State John Kerry addressed the United States’ cut in military aid to Egypt. According to Secretary Kerry, the Obama Administrations decision to suspend shipments of large-scale military systems, as well as suspend $260 million dollars in military aid to Egypt Wednesday, was made in response to the behaviour of Egypt’s rulers.

Secretary Kerry said the United States will consider restoring its aid, which amounts to approximately $1.5 billion to Egypt “on the basis of performance” that encourages democracy through elections.

Kerry said the suspension of a portion of the country’s military aid to Egypt does not signal a severing of ties between Washington D.C. and the military-backed government in Cairo over the ousting of democratically elected President Mohamed Morsy on July 3. Kerry said, “The interim government understands very well our commitment to the success of this government… and by no means is this a withdrawal from our relationship or a severing of our serious commitment to helping the government.”

Since Wednesday, the Egyptian government has slammed the Obama administration’s move to cut aid. Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdel Atty, said Thursday, “It raises serious questions about U.S. readiness to provide stable, strategic support to Egyptian security programs amid threats and terrorism challenges it has been facing.”

The State Department announced its decision to freeze $260 million of the United States’ $1.5 billion annual aid package to Egypt is an attempt to pressure the Egypt’s military regime to restore democratic rule as soon as possible.

The United States will maintain aid to support for health and education and counterterrorism, spare military parts, military training and education, border security and security assistance in the Sinai Peninsula.

Israel Finance Minister Yair Lapid said that the Administration’s suspension of aid to Egypt should be adjusted to maintain Egypt’s commitment to maintain peace with Israel and counties to combat terrorism in the region.

Eric Trager of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy said the administration’s cut to military aid was poorly timed. He argued it sends the wrong message to the Egyptian people. He said, “Cutting aid to Egypt at this moment sends the signal that America doesn’t have Egypt’s back when it’s facing significant challenges.” Trager argued that many Egyptians say the Muslim Brotherhood and the Morsy regime as an emerging fascist dictatorship. However, the administrations cut to aid comes as a direct response to the continued violence that has plagued the nation since the military government began cracking down on Muslim Brotherhood supporters.

For more information please see:

USA Today – Egypt Slams U.S. Aid Cut; Allies Concerned – 11 October 2013

ABC News – Kerry: Cut in Egypt Aid Is Not US Withdrawal – 10 October 2013

Al Jazeera – Kerry Links Egypt Aid to Rulers’ Performance – 10 October 2013

Reuters – U.S. Will Reconsider Egypt Aid Based on Performance: Kerry – 10 October 2013

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt–According to the White House, the United States is planning to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Egypt. The move appears to be a direct response to the Egyptian military’s violent crackdown on supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood. However, despite the uptick in violence the United States will maintain some military aid to the Egyptian state.

The Obama administration has already made some cuts to Egyptian military aid. In August the Administration cut aid in response to the violent clashes between activists in protest camps and military security forces that followed the overthrow of President Morsy in July.

Despite the violence the Obama Administration has so far mainlined its relationship with Egypt sense President Morsy was removed from power on 3 July. The Administration yet to label the removal of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy from office a military Coup which would regime the administration to cut all aid to the country except humanitarian aid. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement that “as a result of the review directed by President Obama, we have decided to maintain our relationship with the Egyptian government, while recalibrating our assistance to Egypt to best advance our interests.”

The administration’s decision to halt a $260 million cash transfer to Egypt and suspend the sale of military systems, including the F-16 aircraft, M1A1 tank parts, Harpoon anti-ship missiles and Apache helicopters may single a changing tide in US relations with Egypt.

Despite criticism of the Egyptian Military’s violent tactics to suppress the views of the Muslim Brotherhoods and other Islamist groups in the state The US will maintain some Military aid to Egypt. According to a senior US official that will be earmarked to allow the state to uphold its obligations under its peace treaty with the State of Israel. Egypt has been involved counterterrorism and security efforts in the Sinai Peninsula where attacks have escalated during the months since Morsy was removed from power. The United States will also maintain non-military funding that earmarked for the promotion of democratization in Egypt.

The Obama Administration’s announcement comes as the death toll in Egypt counties to rise as the military violently cracks down on supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsy and anti-government protesters. At least 51 people were killed across the country Sunday during a day of protests led by supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Interim government has essentially returned the Muslim Brotherhood to the illegal status it held during the regime of Hosni Mubarak, an Egyptian court banned the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood and froze the organization’s financial assets.

For more information please see:

Al Jazeera – Egypt Sets November Trial Date for Morsi – 9 October 2013

CNN – U.S. to Cut Some Military Aid to Egypt After Coup, Turmoil – 9 October 2013

CNN – U.S. Suspends Significant Military Aid to Egypt – 9 October 2013

The New York Times – Obama Expected To Reduce Military Aid to Egypt – 9 October 2013