Al-Qaeda-linked Terrorists Eliminated, Hideouts Destroyed, Weapons Seized
Nov 27, 2012
PROVINCES, (SANA)- A unit of the Armed Forces on Tuesday killed members of an armed terrorist group who were looting oil and smuggling it to Turkey by tanks in Abu Khashab area in Deir Ezzor Countryside.
An official source in the province told SANA reporter that a number of terrorists were killed and others injured including leader of the group, terrorist Saddam Awwad al-Saho, nicknamed “al-Tair”.
Another unit of the Armed Forces targeted an armed terrorist group in al-Jbeileh neighborhood in Deir Ezzor city, killing a number of its members and injuring others.
The source added that terrorists Mohammad Jassem al-Ibrahim and Saaed Samir al-Ghadban were identified among the dead.
The source pointed out that leader of one of the armed terrorist groups, Ali Amin Khuder al-Hussein, who was injured in the clash, died later in Turkey.
Army Destroys Terrorists’ Cars, Continues Clearing al-Lairamoun in Aleppo
A unit of the Armed Forces destroyed two cars equipped with machineguns and another carrying terrorists, weapons and ammunition in Karm al-Jabal area in Aleppo.
In a relevant context, other army units killed and injured scores of al-Qaeda-linked mercenary terrorists near the fifth Industrial School and al-Salehin police station in the city.
The Armed Forces continued their operations to clear al-Maamel area in al-Lairamoun of terrorists, destroying their vehicles and equipment.
On the other hand, Police members in al-Zerbeh area in Aleppo clashed with terrorists who launched an attack with machienguns and sniper rifles, killing and injuring many of them.
Al-Qaeda-linked Terrorists Eliminated in Damascus Countryside
A unit of the Armed Forces clashed with al-Qaeda-linked terrorists at al-Bassel roundabout in Daraya city in Damascus Countryside and killed and injured a number of them.
SANA reporter pointed out that some terrorists managed to flee and hide in the neighboring residential buildings and shops.
Earlier, an army unit killed a number of terrorists near al-Radwan Hospital in the city, while many terrorists were also killed near al-Ibaa private school, according to a source in the province.
The locals in the city said that an armed terrorist group attacked Othman Bin Affan Mosque and set fire to it.
A unit of the Armed Forces killed a number of al-Qaeda terrorists and destroyed their weapons and ammunition in al-Dhiyabiyeh town.
An official source told SANA reporter that an army unit destroyed a DShK machinegun which the terrorists set uo on the roof of a building in the area.
The source added that other units of the Armed Forces continued pursuing armed terrorist groups in al-Husainiyeh and Hejjeira towns, killing scores of terrorists and injuring many others.
In the same framework, an official source told SANA reporter that an army unit targeted a gathering for terrorists at the crossroads of the towns of al-Buwaideh, al-Hejjeira and al-Ziyabiyeh.
The source said that the operations resulted in killing a number of terrorists and destroying two 4WD cars, one of which equipped with a DShK machinegun, while the other was carrying terrorists, ammunition and weapons.
In Zamalka town, a unit of the Armed Forces carried out a qualitative operation against al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group.
An official source at the province told SANA reporter that the operation resulted in the killing of a number of terrorists, including Ahmad Khalil Idris, Bashir Kharban and Mohammad Nour Abboud, nicknamed Abu Khaddouj.
Members at the Police station of Jubar town confronted an attack by a terrorist group, killing and injuring many terrorists while the rest fled away.
Training Camp Destroyed, Terrorists Killed, Explosive Devices Dismantled in Idelb
In a qualitative operation, a military unit destroyed a training camp where armed terrorist groups were centered in Kafar Takharim town in Idleb countyside.
An official source in the province told SANA reporter that several terrorists were killed in the operation, as many others were injured.
The source added that another military unit killed several terrorists and injured others who were horrifying people and perpetrating acts of robbery and theft in Jidar Bkafaloun.
In another context, military engineering units dismantled four explosive devices, planted by terrorists on Ariha-Muhambel road near Bsanqoul village, each weighs 100 kg, prepared to be detonated remotely.
Al-Qaeda-Linked terrorists Killed in al-Hassaka
Units of the armed forces today carried out qualitative operations against gatherings of terrorists at Aliya and Mabrouka in al-Hassaka countryside, destroying 10 cars, some of them equipped with DSHK machineguns.
A source in the province told SANA that the Army operations led to the killing and injuring of a number of terrorists from al-Qaeda.
Three children martyred by Explosive of terrorists in Home Countryside
An explosive device was detonated today while terrorists were preparing it inside a house in al-Fayezeih village in Homs countryside, leading to the killing and injuring of all the terrorists in the hideout.
A source in the province told SANA that the explosion also caused the martyrdom of three children who were in the next door.
Hideout for Jabhat al-Nusra Terrorists Stormed in Jisr al-Shughour
A unit of the Armed Forces stormed al-Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists hideout in Mhambel Town in Jisr al-Shughour countryside and destroyed the ammunitions and weapons inside it.
A source in the province told SANA reporter that four snipers were killed in addition to leader of a terrorist group, terrorist Abdul Majeed Khuder.
The source added that units of the Armed Forces killed a number of terrorists and injured others who attempted to attack a law-enforcement checkpoint in Maaret al-Numan city.
The source pointed out that the army seized the terrorists’ ammunitions and weapons, including RBG and mortar launchers, a 14,5 mm machinegun and automatic rifles in addition to sophisticated communication devices.
In Atmah in Harem countryside, a unit of the Armed Forces on Monday destroyed a terrorists’ headquarters and a warehouse, killing all the terrorists inside them belonging to the so-called Shuhadaa al-Atareb (al-Atareb Martyrs) brigade.
Meanwhile, 15 terrorists were killed in the explosion of an explosive device they were planting on Darkoush-Zarzour road in Idleb countryside.
10 Cars for Terrorists, Some Equipped with DShK Machineguns, Destroyed in Hama
A unit of the Armed Forces destroyed a number of cars, some equipped with machineguns, were used by terrorists to attack the citizens and loot their properties in Hama countryside.
SANA reporter quoted a source in the province as saying that the Armed Forces carried out two qualitative operations against terrorists in Asseileh village south of Hama city, killing a number of terrorists and injuring others.
The source added that the two operations resulted in destroying 10 cars, 3 of which are equipped with DShK machineguns.
Terrorist Gathering Targeted in Homs
A unit of the Armed Forces targeted a gathering for mercenary terrorists, killing many of them and injuring others in al-Shomariyeh in the countryside of al-Qseir in Homs.
SANA reporter quoted a source in the province as saying that terrorist Abdullah al-Waw was identified among the dead.
Policemen Clash with Terrorists in Raqqa
In al-Thawra area in Raqqa, policemen clashed with terrorists, killing and injuring many of them.
Cabinet Stresses Protection of Vital Facilities, Approves New Bills on Combating Corruption
Nov 27, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Prime Minister, Dr. Wael al-Halqi, on Tuesday reviewed the difficulties facing the health, services and electricity sectors, indicating to the role of the civil society in protecting the vital and industrial facilities and highways side by side with public authorities to ensure delivering its services to the citizens.
During the Cabinet’s weekly session, al-Halqi stressed the need for making use of public and civil capabilities and for citizens to shoulder their responsibilities in protecting the vital facilities, including cereal silos, oil and electricity facilities and dams, against the terrorist attacks.
He called upon all ministries to cooperate and coordinate with the Ministries of Oil and Electricity to help them perform their duties and guarantee the delivery of fuel to feed electricity generation plants.
The Cabinet approved drafts laws on establishing an independent committee for combating corruption and a control and inspection department, in addition to endorsing a bill on illicit gains.
The National Media Council’s decision on granting licenses to newspapers and magazines was also approved.
Talks during the meeting discussed the issue of providing job opportunities to families of the martyrs from the Armed Forces, Internal Security Forces and the civilian workers who were martyred while carrying out their national duties.
Deputy Prime Minister for Services Affairs, Minister of Local Administration, Omar Ghalawanji, briefed the ministers on the situation of services sector and the transgressions against its facilities which reflected negatively on the citizens’ livelihood.
He indicated that subcommittees were formed in the provinces to enhance protection procedures for vital economic and industrial facilities.
In turn, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Minister of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection, Qadri Jamil, reviewed the government’s procedures to provide food materials and oil derivatives, stressing that the reserves and storage of local needs are sufficiently available for the next stages.
Minister of Electricity, Imad Khamis, said the terrorist attacks against power generation and distribution plants caused the continuation of the electricity rationing programs, adding that the Ministry is doing its best to repair damage and maintain the electrical systems to reduce rationing hours.
Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Said Hneidi, reviewed the challenges facing oil and gas sector due to the repeated terrorist attacks and the Ministry’s efforts to provide oil derivatives and resume oil and gas pumping operations.
In turn, Minister of State for National Reconciliation Affairs, Ali Haidar, briefed the cabinet on the Ministry’s efforts to solve citizens’ problems.
Transport Minister, Mahmoud Said, reviewed the Ministry’s procedures to support air and marine transport systems, in addition to maintaining railway networks.
The Cabinet also listened to a review from the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Jasem Zakarya, on the progress achieved in the Youth Employment Program.
Al-Lahham Stresses Necessity of Unifying Efforts to Overcome Negative Impacts of Crisis on Development
Nov 27, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Speaker of People’s Assembly, Mohammad Jihad al-Lahham, stressed the importance of cooperation between civil and official institutions and encouraging individuals’ capabilities to overcome the obstacles hindering development process in Syria through restoring stability, rebuilding damaged areas and returning displaced people to their houses which is the government’s main priority in current stage.
Al-Lahham was speaking at the opening of a workshop titled “population and development under current circumstances” at al-Sham Hotel which was organized in cooperation between the People’s Assembly and the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA) .
He said that the Syrian people are required to shoulder their responsibility in conveying the message of peace against the ferocious war targeting their unity, history, present and future.
The Speaker expressed confidence in the Syrians’ ability to overcome the current crisis and to cooperate with their state to pass the negative impacts of this war.
Al-Lahham said that reports on population and development indicated that Syria was making progress towards achieving the third millennium and the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) goals before the events.
He added that the current crisis overshadowed all economic and social aspects of the Syrians’ life and caused huge damage to the infrastructure, human resources and development.
Al-Lahham said that the international community did not commit to the recommendations adopted at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) on supporting Syria and reducing the repercussions of current events on citizens.
“Some regional and western countries imposed economic sanctions against the Syrian people’s livelihood and supplied the terrorist gangs with weapons and facilitated smuggling mercenaries and takfiris into the Syrian territories to kill the Syrian people and undermine the state components,” Speaker of People’s Assembly said.
He called for finding appropriate means to overcome the economic and social consequences of the crisis.
He said that the national reconciliation committee will continue its work throughout the Syrian provinces, in cooperation with civil associations and the Ministry of State for the National Reconciliation Affairs to restore communication among all spectrums of the Syrian society.
In turn, Assistant Representative of the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA) in Syria Omar Ballan, said that the Fund is coordinating with all governmental and non-governmental parties and the UN organizations to carry out the annual plans, including meeting the people’s needs, particularly those affected by current circumstances.
He added that the People’s Assembly can have a prominent role in specifying the needs and facilitating access to affected areas, in addition to following up and evaluating relevant programs.
Ballan indicated that the aid response plan, set up in coordination with the Syrian government in accordance with the UN General Assembly, aims at supporting the government’s efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the affected people.
The participants in the workshop stressed the need that humanitarian aid reach the affected families in all areas and basic requirements be provided in all shelter centers.
Director of Planning and International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, Ali Belan, highlighted that the Higher Relief Committee was formed since months to mobilize and organize efforts targeting the affected families.
He explained that sub-committees were formed to follow up on the situation of the affected families basically through establishing a database for the affected persons inside and outside the shelter centers.
He also indicated the establishment of centers for registering the affected families outside the temporary shelters, underscoring the great support provided by the Ministry in terms of facilitations and financial aid, which amounted up to scores of SYP millions, to the NOGs that offer direct services to the affected people.
For her part, Huda Sheikh al-Shabab, Director of Planning Department at the Education Ministry, said that most of the displaced families due to the terrorist groups’ practices were provided shelter in schools, referring to the establishment of entertainment school clubs and prefabricated class rooms for affected students.
A number of the People’s Assembly members in addition to representatives of the Planning and International Cooperation Commission and the ministries of Local Administration, Social Affairs and Labor, Health, Education and NGOs and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent took part in the workshop.
Venezuela fully Supports Syria in its War against Terrorism
Nov 27, 2012
CARACAS, (SANA)-Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Fayssal Mikdad on Tuesday discussed with Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister Temir Parras the political developments in the Middle East and Latin America.
During the meeting, the two sides described as deep the strategic relations between the two countries and peoples, founded by Leaders of the two countries, Presidents Bashar al-Assad and Hugo Chavez, expressing satisfaction over the implementation of agreements and programs which were signed in Damascus and Caracas.
The Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister expressed his country’s full support to Syria as leadership and people in the face of foreign conspiracy which seeks to deviate Syria’s attention from the main conflict in the region, the Arab-Israeli conflict.
He condemned the terrorist acts carried out by armed groups supported by external countries which pose a threat to the security, safety and stability of Syria, calling for stopping the support of terrorism, funding it or hosting those who perpetrate criminal acts.
For his part, Mikdad expressed Syria’s appreciation for the true support of Venezuela to Syria in all fields, indicating to the targets and dimensions of the attack of the western countries, particularly the US, France and Britain in cooperation with Turkey, some Gulf states and Libya and their support to the terrorists, proving them with fatal equipment to weaken Syria and divide its national unity and foil its stances against the Israeli occupation.
The Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister affirmed inevitability of Syria’s victory in its war against the terrorism and the foreign intervention in its affairs, this victory which will be considered as a victory for all powers which defend their countries’ independence and sovereignty.
Armenian President Calls for Halting Violence and Finding Political Solution to Crisis in Syria
Nov 27, 2012
BEIRUT, (SANA)- The Armenian President, Serzh Sargsyan, expressed his country’s concern over the events taking place in the Middle East region, calling for finding a political solution to the crisis in Syria.
Sargsyan was speaking during a lunch banquet held in his honor by Speaker of the to Lebanon Beirut, Ali Abdul-Karim.
He called for halting the violence in Syria, noting that the terrorist operations are totally unacceptable.
“I’m certain that the arising situation is the result of some countries trying to solve some issues of their own at the expense of the Syrian people’s blood,” said the Armenian President, adding that Armenia has always called for halting the violence and working to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria.
He called upon the Armenians in Syria to struggle for the sake of restoring peace as soon as possible to Syria which has welcomed them and become their second home.
For his part, the Lebanese Parliament Speaker reiterated that the only way to solve the crisis in Syria is through dialogue, warning that the entire region is threatened to be fragmented in light of the daily funding and smuggling of weapons and incitement to sedition and discord.
Medvedev: Crisis in Syria Should Be Settled by Syrians Themselves
Nov 27, 2012
MOSOCW, (SANA) – Russia’s Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev, reiterated his country’s stance which calls for solving the crisis in Syrian by the Syrians themselves.
Russia Today website quoted Medvedev as saying in a press conference with his French counterpart, Jean-Marc Ayrault, in Paris that Russia, unlike its foreign partners including France, believes that settling the conflict in Syria should be done by the Syrians themselves.
“We don’t consider that interference in the internal affairs of sovereign countries is a correct step even if we had questions about the observance of human rights,” added Medvedev, indicating that these questions should be directed to both the Syrian government and opposition.
He said that both sides are responsible for violence, noting that “Our mission is to persuade them to sit down around the dialogue table and reach agreement on the future of the Syrian people and not only the future of President Bashar al-Assad.”
Bogdanov: Necessity of Political settlement through National dialogue
The Special Envoy to the Russian President, Deputy Foreign Minister Michael Bogdanov discussed with the Syrian Ambassador in Moscow Riyad Haddad the latest developments and situation in Syria.
A statement for the Russian Foreign Ministry, quoted by Russia Today TV on Tuesday said that the two sides underlined the mutual understanding of the necessity for an immediate halt to the bloodshed in Syria and move the situation into the political settlement stream through peaceful negotiations and an internal comprehensive Syrian dialogue.
Bogdanov announced on Monday that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to meet representatives of the Syrian opposition at the National Coordination Committee next Thursday.
Mehmanparast: Dialogue Best Way for Crisis in Syria
Nov 27, 2012
TEHRAN, (SANA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Ramin Mehmanparast, stressed that the best way for solving the crisis in Syria is through ending violence and adopting dialogue and elections.
In a televised interview broadcast by Iranian media on Tuesday Mehmanpawast said that the Western countries that reject dialogue, support gunmen and want foreign intervention in Syria are trying to fulfill hidden agendas and goals.
On the other hand, the Iranian official pointed out that the Palestinian resistance confused the Zionists in eight –day period, forcing them to look for truce and submit to the condition of the resistance, adding that many Zionist ministers including the Israeli war minister resigned in the wake of the resistance’s response to the Israeli aggression on Gaza.
Larijani condemns sending arms to terrorists in Syria
Speaker of the Iranian Shura Council Ali Larijani strongly condemned sending shipments of arms by a number of states to the terrorist groups in Syria, considering that as ” a difficult problem for the Syrians.”
Larijani, following a meeting with Iraqi scholar Mohammad Bahr al-Ulom in al-Najaf, said “some countries’ intervention and sending arms to Syria represent a big problem for the Syrians.. Iran believes that implementing reforms in Syria should be done within an atmosphere of calm.”
Larijani’s visit to Iraq comes within a regional tour where he visited Syria, Lebanon and Turkey, concentrating on the crisis in Syria and means of resolving it.
Education Ministry Intensifies Response Plan Measures for Displaced Students
Nov 27, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA)- Director of Planning Department at the Education Ministry, Huda Sheikh al-Shabab, stressed that most of the families who were displaced due to the armed terrorist groups’ practices were provided shelter in schools in the various provinces.
Speaking at a workshop organized on Tuesday in cooperation between the People’s Assembly and the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA) under the title ‘population and development under current circumstances’, Sheikh al-Shabab referred to the intensified measures taken in the context of a response plan set up by the Ministry to meet the needs of the affected students.
She explained that students of various grades, who were left with no official documents, have been tested and enrolled in suitable grade classes, indicating the distribution of thousands of school bags to students within the framework of the plan.
The Director stressed that the Ministry has established around 103 entertainment school clubs which targeted students in the provinces of Daraa, Damascus Countryside, Lattakia and Tartous, and is working on applying this activity in the rest of the provinces to reach 300 clubs.
Scores of prefabricated class rooms, Sheikh al-Shabab added, were set up in schools, mostly in Damascus, Tartous and Quneitra, which are crowded with students coming from affected areas to contribute to compensating missing lessons.
She also pointed out to the rehabilitation of 117 schools which were put back into service in the provinces of Damascus, Damascus Countryside, Homs, Daraa and Hasaka.
She highlighted the Ministry’s efforts in terms of organizing workshops for administrative and teaching cadres to train them on psychological support and first aid.
Ukrainian Marathon Swimmer Oleg Sofyanik Visits Syria Thursday
Nov 26, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Ukrainian marathon swimmer Oleg Sofyanik arrives in Syria on Thursday to swim in its regional waters along with a team of Ukrainian swimmers in solidarity with Syria, its people and leadership in the face of the conspiracy to which it is exposed.
Head of the Ukrainian Swimming Union and a number of media staff will accompany Swimmer Sofyanik in his visit which was delayed due to personal circumstances.
Sofyanik program in Syria is to swim from Tartous to Arwad Island and vice versa, hold a press conference and meet a number of political, sport and popular activities.
On October 22nd, Sofyanik held a press conference in Kiev in which he stressed the need for the civilized world to support the Syrian people in their struggle against terrorism and the crimes of extremist groups supported by countries that claim to fight terrorism and extremism.