Syria News on 15th Feb, 2012
Thirteen Army and Law-Enforcement Martyrs Laid to Rest
PROVINCES, (SANA) – The bodies of thirteen army and law-enforcement martyrs on Tuesday were escorted from Tishreen Military Hospital in Damascus, Zahi Azraq Military Hospital in Lattakia and the Military Hospital in Homs to their final resting places.
The martyrs were killed in the line of duty by armed terrorists groups in Damascus Countryside, Homs and Idleb.
Official funeral ceremonies were held for the martyrs, as they were carried up on shoulders while the music of “The Martyr” and “The Farewell” was played.
The martyrs are:
-Sergeant Mohammad Shahoud al-Nabhan from Idleb.
-Sergeant Firas Abdul-Hamid Sheikh-Mous from al-Hasaka.
-Sergeant Saleh Suleiman Sakr from Tartous.
-Sergeant Hassan Hani al-Sheikh from Lattakia.
-Corporal Ahmad Khalaf al-Ali from al-Hasaka.
-Conscript Mohammad Ali Zarour from Aleppo.
-Conscript Fayez Taha al-Dairi from Idleb.
-Conscript Samo Hussein al-Shikh Taha from Aleppo.
-Conscript Majid Adel Jneid from Aleppo.
-Conscript Majd Hussein Hammoudi from Hama.
-Conscript Mohammad Ibrahim al-Hawamda from Daraa.
-Conscript Mohammad Fayez Katb from Damascus Countryside.
-Policeman Rafat Yahya Hassan from Homs.
The martyrs’ families stressed their confidence in their homeland and its capability to overcome the crisis through adherence to national unity.
They expressed their pride in the martyrdom of their sons, hoping that security and stability will prevail again in the country.
Foreign and Expatriates Ministry: Human Rights High Commissioner Turned into a Tool for Targeting Syria
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The Foreign and Expatriates Ministry stressed in a letter to the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights Syria’s absolute rejection of the allegations made by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay regarding Syria which add up to the history of the Commissioner in dealing with Syria from the beginning of events.
The Ministry pointed out that the Commissioner has been turned into a tool in the hands of some countries targeting Syria and ignoring the terrorist crimes committed by the armed groups, while Syria provided all available information to clarify the situation, yet Pillay turned a blind eye to facts.
The letter said that Pillay chose this path despite having clear evidence of the non-credible nature of the information she receives from sources known to be working against Syria, trying to cover up the fake numbers and information she published.
The Ministry affirmed that the Commissioner’s duty entails denouncing the terrorism afflicting Syria, calling for dialogue and supporting reforms, demanding that Pillay deal with the events in Syria objectively and denounce strongly the two terrorist attacks which took place in Aleppo on February 10th, adding that this seems unlikely since she declined to denounce any of the terrorist attacks that took place and Damascus or the crimes committed by terrorists against civilians and law-enforcement personnel and the destruction of infrastructures.
The letters was concluded by stressing that Syria is the only one responsible for protecting the Syrian people, and that no-one has the right or the authority to demand foreign interference which would kill innocents and destroy public and private property, adding that terrorism will not dissuade the authorities from fulfilling their duties of keeping order and uprooting terrorism.
Masses Gather in Lattakia to Voice Support for Reform and Denounce Arab Role in Conspiracy against Syria
LATTAKIA, (SANA) – Large masses from Lattakia governorate gathered in an event organized by youth and popular group at the Governorate Square on Tuesday, voicing support for the reform process, rejecting foreign interference, denouncing of the Aleppo terrorist bombings and the Arab role in the conspiracy against Syria, and thanking Russia and China for their support of the Syrian people.
Participants carried Syrian, Russian and Chinese flags and banners denouncing the conspiracy targeting Syria and those who are part of this conspiracy, affirming that what took place in the Arab League Council recently is a continuation of the plot which reflects its failure in the face of the Syrians’ resilience.
They affirmed that Syria has always been and always will be immune to conspiracies thanks to the awareness of its people and their rallying around their leadership.
Participants decired the stances of the Arab Gulf countries and expressed sympathy for the people of Aleppo, saluting the martyrs of the terrorist bombings which reveal the truth of the democracy which the neo-colonialists are promoting.
They thanked Russia and China for their honorable stances, calling on the Syrian people to rise up to their responsibilities and support the army, adding that conspirators must realize that Syrians are prepared to protect their country no matter the cost.
The participants also called for striking firmly against those who dare to tamper with Syria’s security, stressing that the language of bloodshed and terrorist bombings will not faze the Syrians.
A blood donation campaign was announced during the gathering in appreciation of the sacrifices of the Syrian army.
Arms Smuggling Tunnels Discovered, Houses Detonated by Terrorists in Homs… Colonel, Lieutenant and 3 Army members martyred in Aleppo
PROVINCES, (SANA) – Armed terrorist groups on Tuesday detonated some citizens’ houses in different neighborhoods of Homs City to spread panic, film the explosions and send the footage to some satellite channels to accuse the Syrian army and law-enforcement members of committing such crimes.
Authorities continue pursuing these groups’ members with firm determination to restore security and stability in Syria.
At Baba Amr neighborhood, the law-enforcement forces discovered tunnels used by the armed terrorist groups to smuggle arms and move from one place to another.
Another armed terrorist group attacked with shells and machineguns the University Housing in Homs City causing great damage to the building, spreading fear among students and forcing the students to leave their units.
Colonel, Lieutenant and 3 Army members martyred in Aleppo
Colonel Issam Ibrahim and First Lieutenant Luai Issa, three other army members were martyred today in Aleppo countryside.
SANA reporter quoted an official source in Aleppo as saying that an armed terrorist group attacked law-enforcement members at al-Atareb town in Aleppo Countryside.
Nine terrorists were killed and many others wounded during the clashes.The majority of terrorists came from Idleb city.
Authorities Storm a Den of Armed Terrorist Groups in Damascus Countryside, Confiscate Amounts of Explosive Devices
Authorities stormed a den of armed terrorist groups in Harasta district in Damascus countryside and confiscated large amounts of explosive devices set to be remotely detonated.
SANA reporter said that the authorities also confiscated tools for making explosive devices and materials to make explosives as well as 3 Kalashnikovs and a number of military suits.
Four Employees Wounded by Terrorists Gunfire, Terrorists Burglarize Truck Loaded with Flour in Hama
Four employees, working for Hama Lead Company, were wounded on Monday by an armed terrorist groups’ gunfire in Hama countryside.
An informed source told SANA reporter that an armed terrorist group attacked a bus coming from Kawkab village to the company, northern the city of Hama, as four employees were wounded some of them are in a grave situation.
The source added that an armed terrorist group burglarized a Pickup carrying mill workers and attacked them and stole the car.
In the same context, the informed source told SANA reporter that four terrorists robbed a double-cabin car belonging to Hama Electricity Station.
Another armed terrorist group burglarized a truck carrying 26 tons of flour in Hama countryside, the source added.
Authorities found yesterday the body of citizen Mulham Hassan al-Ahmad after an armed terrorist group abducted him three days ago.
Authorities Confiscate Weapons in Terrorist Hideout in al-Baroudiyeh Neighborhood in Hama
After receiving tips from the locals, the authorities in Hama city raided a terrorist hideout in al-Baroudiyeh neighborhood in the city, arresting a number of terrorists.
An official source told SANA’s correspondent that the hideout contained various types of assault rifles, an RPG launcher and rounds, dynamite sticks, a walkie-talkie, military uniforms, ammo, fake license plates, and a field hospital.
The authorities also seized a stolen governmental Cham car which was fitted with fake license plates, arresting three wanted men who were in it.
The car contained 20 assault rifles, a PKC machinegun, an RPG launcher with rounds, 15 military pouches, two grenades, machinegun ammo, three ammo belts, 48 magazines and ammo, in addition to a military uniform, masks and a walkie-talkie.
Lavrov: Establishing the So-called ‘Friends of Syria’ Group Is Call for Siding with One of the Parties
AMSTERDAM, (SANA)- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday said that the idea of establishing the so-called ‘Friends of Syria’ group is considered a call for the international community to side with one of the parties in Syria.
“The international community has made quite a few efforts to incite the Syrian opposition not to enter into any dialogue with the government,” Lavrov was quoted by the site of Russia Today TV as saying to the press upon his arrival in the Netherlands.
He warned of an underway process to prepare files of libel about Syria that can be used to justify something like what happened in Libya.
Lavrov noted that the Arab League’s decision to halt the Arab monitoring mission, that worked with the Syrian government’s approval, and its proposition of an alternative initiative on forming a joint mission of the League and the United Nations raise questions for Russia and aim at provoking the Syrian government into rejecting this mission as it did announce its rejection.
Salehi: Support for Syria’s People and Government Priority for Iran
TEHRAN, (SANA) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Tuesday said “supporting Syria’s government and people is among Iran’s top Priorities,” stressing that Iran opposes any foreign interference in Syria’s affairs.
Salehi’s remarks came during a meeting with Lebanese Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil who is visiting Tehran.
“Iran supports legitimate demands of the people and the Syrian government’s efforts to carry out reforms,” said Iranian Foreign Minister, underscoring the need for standing by the Syrian government and people in the face of the international pressure.
Salehi stressed that Iran’s comprehensive and main policy is based on supporting the Resistance in the region.
The Iranian foreign Minister indicated that the enemies cannot impose their plots and demands on the people who are able to shape their future in accordance with their aspirations.
Mehmanparast: Russian-Chinese Veto on Syria Prevented the West from Meddling in the Middle East
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast affirmed that the use of veto by Russia and China against the western-Arab resolution on Syria at the Security Council prevented the west from meddling in the Middle East.
During a meeting with a Chinese delegation, Mehmanparast said that the world expects China to play a vital role in the UN to prevent the United States from taking control of international decisions, underlining China’s important role in international economy and policy, and adding that Beijing is one of Iran’s primary economic and political partners.
Venezuela Strongly Condemns Terrorist Acts Committed by Armed Groups in Syria
NEW YORK, (SANA)- Venezuela strongly condemned the terrorist acts perpetrated by the armed terrorist groups against the Syrian people, stressing its support to dialogue in order to get out of the crisis Syria is going through.
The Venezuelan Ambassador to the United Nations Jorge Valero said in a speech before the UN General Assembly that the imperialist powers and their allies have been arming and funding the terrorist groups in Syria to destabilize it, adding these powers do not want peace to prevail in Syria, nor do they care for human rights as they claim.
Valero rejected the media campaign against the Russia-China veto that is aimed at distorting the two countries’ stance which came in the interest of the Syrian people and the interest of stability in the Middle East, calling on all powers to stop these campaigns that lead to more violence in Syria.
World Peace Council: Arab League Resolutions Constitute Interference into Syria’s Internal Affairs, Violate Rules of Regional Entity and Discredit It
ATHENS, (SANA)_ The World Peace Council (WPC) voiced publicly its concern with the serious threats of imperialism to peace in the Middle East, which becomes once more theatre of its ambitions as well as its internal competitions.
In a statement issued in Athens, WPC added ”the United States of America and European Union, accompanied by Israel and the Gulf monarchies, plan moves, create pretexts, generate internal interference, set on de¬stabilizing the countries in the region that do not fit into their plans and interests. Their current targets are Syria and Iran. The general plan is NATO’s “Great Middle East” aiming at the control of energy resources and pipelines as well as markets for the multinational corporations and spheres of influence.”
”In Syria they repeat the methods used against Libya: sabotaging infrastructure, backing terrorist acts, infiltrating mercenaries and smuggling weapons into the country. The objective is to create instability and chaos, in order to justify foreign intervention,” said WPC in its statement.
The WPC underscored that the USA and EU use front men in the region, the Gulf monarchies, to impose sanctions through the Arab League along with the government of Turkey who harbors the so-called opposition in order to bring the matter of Syria to the Security Council, an antechamber for military action.
The WPC asserted that the Arab League resolutions constitute ‘interference into Syria’s internal affairs’ and ‘violate the rules of this regional entity and further discredit it,’ voicing concern over ”the deployment of large number of US troops’ into the Gulf region, and Israel’s provocation against Iran. The unilateral measures of embargoes and economical sanctions, put forth by the US and the EU violate repeatedly the UN Charter.
”We take note of the imperialist powers complicit silence towards the selective murder of Iranian scientists by Israel’s secret service, with evident US approval. Crimes against science are crimes against humanity. We express our support to the complex struggle of the Iranian people for peace, democracy and social justice and reject any interference in the internal affairs of Iran under any pretext. We state once more the inalienable right of every nation to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” added the WPC in its statement.
”We defend the elimination of all existing nuclear weapons, starting with those of the big powers; the creation of a nuclear free zone in the Middle East, fulfilling the resolutions of the last Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review. However, it is upon the sovereign rights of the individual nations to develop nuclear energy for civilian purposes, more so the signatories of the NPT,” said the WPC in its statement.
”We call on the attention of the world, of the forces that defend peace, sovereignty and self determination to these serious events. In doing so we express our solidarity with the Syrian and Iranian peoples, victims of sordid actions of destabilization, and at the same time condemn this criminal aggressions,” the WPC pointed out.
Popular Gathering before China’s Embassy in Appreciation of Beijing Stances
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Mass popular crowds gathered on Tuesday in front of the Chinese Embassy in Damascus in appreciation of the Chinese stances in rejection of the foreign interference attempts in Syria’s internal affairs.
Members of Damascus Youths Voluntary Team handed over a 50-meter long and 2-meters width Chinese flag in appreciation of Beijing’s stances in support of the Syrian people in the face of the plot targeting Syria’s security and stability.
Head of the team, Mirzat Abboud, told SANA that the flag carried the signature of thousands of Syrian citizens, adding that the activity embodies the appreciation of the Syrians to the Russian and Chinese stances, particularly their last veto at the UN Security Council.
For his part, Ratib Barniah, said that Syria is immune to enemies because of the awareness of the Syrians and their support to the comprehensive reform program.
Mansour: AL Resolutions about Syria Included Dangerous Items Incompatible with Lebanon’s Stance
BEIRUT, (SANA)- Lebanese Foreign and Expatriates Minister Adnan Mansour reiterated that Lebanon reserved on the Arab League (AL) latest resolutions about Syria because they included dangerous items that are incompatible with Lebanon’s stance towards Syria as it has been for many years seeking to have diplomatic relations with Syria.
“Breaking ties with Syria and going along with the sanctions on it is something that can’t be pursued because it harms Lebanon before it harms Syria,” said Mansour in a press statement on Tuesday, wondering whether the Arab ministers “really” want reforms in Syria.
The Lebanese Foreign Minister pointed out that his country warned of the issue of internationalizing the crisis in Syria since months and questioned this openly at the latest meeting of the Arab Foreign Ministers in Cairo but it did not receive any positive or negative respond.
He continued that ten minutes after inquiring about the issue of internationalizing Syria’s crisis, a statement was circulated related to recognizing the so-called ‘Syrian National Council’, noting that this is planned to be announced in Tunisia on February 24.
“This is very dangerous because it will take things away from the political solution and will affect Lebanon’s security and stability,” said Mansour, highlighting the necessity of taking Lebanon’s interest into account as it has signed bilateral agreements with Syria that should be adhered to.
He made clear that when Lebanon dissociated itself from the Arab League’s resolutions on Syria it wanted to keep away from interfering in the Syrian affair or in any Arab affair, considering that any danger or any fire flame that might devour Syria would reach Lebanon, “therefore this should be averted.”
People of Occupied Syrian Golan Stress Adherence to Syrian Identity
QUNEITERA, (SANA) – People of the occupied Syrian Golan reiterated on Tuesday their adherence to their Syrian Arab identity and their belonging to the homeland, considering their affiliation to the homeland as “an order of pride and dignity” against the practices of the Israeli occupation aiming at Judaizing the occupied Golan.
During a rally staged on the occasion of the 30th anniversary for the Open Strike announced by the Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan, the people stressed that the Israeli occupation will inevitably end, expressing their rejection of the attempts of the occupation to impose the Israeli identity on them.
The Golan people hailed the sacrifices of the Syrian Arab army to protect the security of the homeland, underlining the stances of Russia, China and Iran and other countries which supported Syria against the US and western dictations.
The Golan people staged the Open Strike on Feb 14, 1982 in rejection of the Israeli Knesset decision issued on Dec 14, 1981 stipulating for applying the Israeli laws on the occupied Syrian Golan.
The Open Strike lasted for more than 5 months and it was called later “the Grand Strike”. Israel was forced to abandon its decision on imposing the Israeli identity on the Syrian people in the Golan.
Cuba Condemns Misleading Campaigns and Media War against Syria
HAVANA, (SANA)_ Cuba has condemned the misleading campaigns and media war launched against Syria which aim at justifying the foreign interference in its internal affairs.
Cuba’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Pedro Nunez Mosquera on Monday denounced the role played by the US, the West and some Arab countries through interfering in Syria’s internal affairs instead of contributing to finding a peaceful solution through holding dialogue and negotiations among all the Syrian sides.
Mosquera said ” Cuba rejects all kinds of foreign interference in Syria’s affairs whether the direct interference or through supporting the armed terrorist groups or any attempt to undermine Syria’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
He expressed Cuba’ support to the peaceful solution through dialogue.
Mosquera also criticized the UN Security Council double standards in dealing with the international issues and its silence regarding issuing any resolution towards the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people.
The Cuban Representative called on the international community to help maintaining peace and stability in Syria instead of the sanctions and pressures policy which help in fomenting violence.