Syria’s Naval, Land and Air Forces Conduct Military Exercises with Live Ammunitions
Jul 08, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The Syrian armed forces continued on Sunday their military exercises for the second consecutive day with high performance as the anti-submarine vessels in cooperation with the navy helicopters searched for proposed enemy submarines and destroyed them.
The coastal artillery also took part in the military exercises against vessels offshore, while the Syrian frogmen commandos and other forces performed marine landing and airdrop to storm and free any given site from enemies.
The Syrian armored units performed a tactical exercise with live ammunition involving various kinds of weapons, including aircrafts, helicopters and artillery.
The Syrian forces which took part in those military exercises proved high performance and coordination among various units.
Terrorists Confess to Committing Murder, Rape, Abduction, Robbery and Smuggling Weapons and Gunmen
Jul 09, 2012
HOMS, (SANA) – The Syrian TV broadcast on Sunday the confessions of four terrorists who admitted to committing murder, rape, abduction and robbery, in addition to smuggling weapons and gunmen, in Homs countryside.
Terrorist Abdelkafi Abdelhamid Bakkour, a farmer born in Homs in 1980, said that he started off by being part of group that attempted to incite people to protest, and his job was to transport protestors from mosques to squares in the town of al-Qseir.
Afterwards, he and his cohorts were offered money to bear arms, and they accepted and received a rifle, a backpack, four magazine and two grenades each. They started by attacking an intelligence detachment and setting up a roadblock in al-Qseir.
Bakkour and his cohorts would halt passing cars and rob the passengers of their money, gold and mobile phones, and once he abducted two women and took them to nearby fields where he raped them then let them go.
Afterwards, Bakkour and some members of his group accompanied an empty fuel tanker into Lebanon in order to smuggle weapons into Syria, and they filled the tanker with 30 rifles and ammo, then they delivered the weapons to a man called Abu Jaafar Bakkar in al-Bayouda area.
Bakkour and his group smuggled weapons from Lebanon to Syria several times using motorbikes, delivering shipments containing 30 rifles and ammo each, adding that he wanted to become a professional weapon smuggler, so he tried to approach their contact in Lebanon who provided the weapons, a Syrian called Mehiddin Jarban, and asked him about his sources, and after initially refusing to divulge them, Jarban said that the weapons came from the Future Movement in Lebanon, and that they’re the ones supporting him.
He also confessed to attacking the municipal building in al-Qseir with his group, opening heavy fire on it, only to learn later that they killed four people.
In turn, terrorist Ahmad Amin Fayyad, a farmer from al-Qseir area, said that he started off by joining protests then he was recruited by Ahmad Amon who was forming an armed group.
Amon gave each member of the group a rifle and instructed them to attack military checkpoints, and so they attacked two checkpoints, then Amon told them to smuggle weapons from Lebanon to Syria, and they did as they were told and delivered 60 rifles, 5 sniper rifles, grenades and ammo to Amon, who paid them SYP 25,000 for bringing the weapons, and at a later time they smuggled four journalists from Lebanon into Syria and escorted them to their headquarters where they stayed for a day then left with Amon.
Fayyad also confessed to setting up a roadblock on al-Aboudiye road and robbing cars that passed buys, stealing phones, money and sometimes various things they found in the cars.
Similarly, terrorist Haitham Mohammad al-Qassem, born in al-Houla in 1975, said that a man called Khalil asked him to form a detachment and contacted a man called Mohammad Saad Shamseddin to provide them with weapons. He met Shamseddin and agreed to begin taking weapons one a time, either an RPG launcher or an AK-47 rifle, and al-Qassem was paid SYP 10 to 15 thousand per shipment.
Al-Qassem went on to say that he joined the detachment formed by Khalil, which consisted of civilians only, and they took control of a cement warehouse to use as headquarters.
He said that they started off by abducting two women and raping them, and afterwards they abducted two other women and attempted to rape them but they resisted, so they murdered them and dumped their body.
Al-Qassem said that they then began attacking checkpoints and security points, beginning with Teldo police department and a security checkpoint, followed by two more, then he was instructed to go to Damascus countryside since he was a driver by profession and wouldn’t arouse suspicion.
He met his contact in Damascus Countryside who gave him medicine, SYP 50,000 and gold bracelets, but he was halted by a military security patrol in al-Houla area and arrested.
For his part, terrorist Salman Khaled al-Kurdi, born in Telkalakh in 1990, said that he had been smuggling cigarettes and weapons from 2010 and throughout the events.
Al-Kurdi was approached by two men, Mohannad al-Hasan and Hammoud al-Leili, who asked him to smuggle weapons to armed groups and he agreed, and began smuggling firearms from a village called Jenin to the village of al-Ameriya, receiving the weapons from a Lebanese man and two others then delivering them to two others who distributed them among armed groups in Telkalakh, al-Zara and al-Hosn areas.
He confessed to smuggling 11 weapon shipments, one of which included wireless communication devices. Each shipment consisted of 10 rifles equipped with scopes, 5 rocket launchers, and FAL and M16 rifles.
Al-Kurdi said that upon the instructions of al-Hasan and al-Leili, he began smuggling members of Islamist groups into Syria, smuggling 23 fully-armed men and receiving SYP 5000 for each gunmen he brought into Syria. He added that the gunmen were Lebanese and that they were distributed among various areas, with most of them ending up in al-Hosn Citadel (Krak des Chevaliers).
Authorities Clash with Terrorists in Homs and Deir Ezzor, Terrorists Kill Three Civilians and Attack TV Crew, Infiltration Attempt from Turkey Foiled
Jul 08, 2012
PROVINCES, (SANA)_ The authorities on Sunday clashed with armed terrorist groups which were attacking citizens and the law-enforcement forces in al-Qseir city in Homs countryside.
A source in Homs Province told SANA reporter that the clash resulted in the killing and injury of a number of terrorists in addition to destroying two cars equipped with machinegun.
The source added that two members of the law-enforcement forces were wounded.
The authorities also clashed with terrorists in al-Qseir countryside, killing a number of terrorists including their leader Khaled al-Shabab, and confiscating their weapons. The authorities sustained no casualties or injuries.
Authorities Clash with Terrorists in al-Hosn Town in Homs
The authorities clashed with an armed terrorist group that attacked citizens and law-enforcement members in al-Hosn town in Talkalakh countryside, inflicting heavy losses among them.
SANA correspondent quoted an informed source in the governorate as saying that among the terrorists killed in the clash were the terrorists Haitham Meri, Khaled Zyad Safar and Odai Jamal Safar.
Tunnel Used by Terrorist Groups Found in Homs
The authorities discovered a tunnel that was used by armed terrorist groups to move between the neighborhoods of al-Khalidiya and al-Baiyada through al-Qahira roundabout.
A source told SANA reporter that the tunnel was found to include explosive devices and an amount of ammunition, indicating that it was used by the gunmen to smuggle and store arms.
Authorities Clash with Armed Groups in Deir Ezzor, Killing and Wounding a Number of Terrorists
The authorities clashed with gunmen who were shooting and attacking the public and private properties in Mohasan town in Deir Ezzor, causing huge losses among them.
A source in Deir Ezzor Province told SANA reporter that the clash resulted in destroying two cars equipped with machineguns.
The source added that the authorities also clashed with another armed group in al-Mayadin city killing a number of its members.
Dentist Assassinated by Terrorists in His Clinic in Jouber, Damascus
An armed terrorist group on Saturday evening assassinated the dentist Ali Jamil Abbas in his clinic in Jouber area in Damascus.
A source at Damascus Police Department told SANA reporter that four veiled terrorists stormed Dr. Abbas’ clinic around 9 pm, shooting him several times in the head.
Citizen and Son Martyred in Jdaydet Artouz in Damascus Countryside
An armed terrorist group opened fire and killed a citizen and his son in Jdaydet Artouz in Damascus countryside.
SANA correspondent quoted a police source in the governorate as saying that the armed group broke into a shop owned by the citizen Haitham Jameel Muhammad in al-Baladieh Street and opened fire on him and his son Wi’am, 21 years-old, causing their immediate death.
Terrorists Attack Syrian TV Crew Near Hosn Village Roundabout in Homs Countryside
An armed terrorist group attacked a news crew from the Syrian TV near the Hosn village roundabout in Homs Countryside, injuring driver Salah Ayoub and shattering the glass of the crew’s car.
Infiltration Attempt by Terrorist Group Coming from Turkey Foiled
In Idleb province, the authorities foiled an attempt of infiltration by an armed terrorist group that was trying to enter the Syrian territories from the Turkish land at al-Fouz site in Jisr al-Shughour.
SANA reporter quoted a source in the province as saying that the authorities clashed with the group’s members and killed and injured a number of terrorists, while the rest managed to flee away back into Turkey.
This is the second time within two days the authorities foil infiltration attempts of terrorists coming from Turkey.
Last Friday, a similar attempt was foiled near Bab al-Hawa site on the borders with Turkey.
The source added that members of the military engineering units dismantled two explosive devices, weighing 40-50 kg, that were planted by an armed terrorist group on Jisr al-Shughour-Ariha road to target citizens and law enforcement personnel.
Plans to Boost Industrialists’ Work and Increase Production and Export Capacity
Jul 08, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA)- Prime Minister, Dr. Riyad Hijab, on Sunday stressed the government’s commitment to providing all forms of support to the Syrian industry to enable it increase its production and export capacity and competitiveness in foreign markets.
Hijab was speaking during a meeting with the head and members of the Board of Directors of Damascus and Damascus Countryside Chamber of Industry.
He called for boosting cooperation and integration between the government and the Syrian chambers of industry to develop the industrial sector and overcoming the difficulties and obstacles it is suffering from at the current stage.
It was initially agreed during the meeting on allotting the needed land for Damascus and Damascus Countryside Chamber of Industry to establish industrial parks for the small and tiny facilities, a plan aimed to boost industrial production, and taking the required measures and procedures to start setting up these parks.
Another meeting was held between the Minister of Finance with the members of the ministries of industry and economy, the Central Bank of Syria and Damascus and Damascus Countryside Chamber of Industry to study the financial issues of interest to the industrialists.
Talks discussed activating the role of the Exporters’ Union through opening new foreign offices in the friendly countries to promote the industrial products in the foreign markets.
Information Minister Stresses Support to Journalists, Increasing Their Union’s Allocations
Jul 08, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA)- Information Minister, Omran al-Zubei, stressed that the media in Syria is media of the state with all its components, on top being the Syrian people with its spectrums, and not that of partisan or political media.
During the General Conference of the Journalists’ Union, held at al-Wahda Institution, al-Zubei said media should be free and independent and not subject to anybody’s guardianship and governed only by the authority of the judiciary.
He referred to President Bashar al-Assad’s directives in terms of regulating the situation of all the workers in the media sector and meeting the journalists’ demands as much as possible, stressing the point of not cancelling anyone’s contract or firing anyone except for corruption-related cases.
The Minister stressed on offering every possible thing to continue supporting retired journalists, highlighting the necessity of embracing skills and talents.
He voiced the Ministry’s desire to increase the Journalists’ Union’s allocations from the state budget and provide all forms of support to the National Media Council to enable it to carry out its tasks properly.
The Syrian journalists hailed the sacrifices of the Syrian Arab Army to restore security and stability to the country, stressing that the journalists will remain the soldiers that defend the nation.
They discussed a number of issues related to their job conditions and the difficulties that may face their tasks.
Palestinian Figures in al-Jaleel Express Solidarity with Syria and Its Leadership
Jul 08, 2012
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (SANA)- The Popular Front for Defending the Syrian People and Its National Leadership on Sunday held an event to express solidarity with Syria in Shaab village in al-Jaleel.
A number of Muslim and Christian clergymen participated in the event, in addition to national figures and a huge crowd of the different spectrums of the Palestinian society, along with delegations from Jerusalem and the occupied Syrian Golan.
The participants expressed full solidarity with Syria, leadership and people, considering the conspiracy hatched against Syria as a targeting of the whole Arab nations.
They denounced the instigative media campaign against Syria asking for boycotting the tendentious ad biased media outlets and voicing strong condemnation of the terrorist attack which recently targeted the Syrian al-Akhbariya TV channel and all other terrorist attacks and bombings in the country.
They saluted the Syrian Arab Army, saying it is a symbol of the unity of Syria and its people, calling upon the Syrians to cooperate and stand together to stop the violence and foil the conspiracy against their homeland.
Haidar: Everyone in Syria Except a Few Agree that the Only Way Out is Through a National Project
Jul 08, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – State Minister for National Reconciliation Affairs Dr. Ali Haidar stressed the need to form an establishment responsible for national reconciliation in Syria, stressing that everyone in Syria except a few agree that the only way out of the crisis is through a national project that benefits everybody and doesn’t exclude anybody.
In an interview with the Syrian TV on Sunday, Haidar said that this is why national reconciliation is the headline of the current government’s program, noting that the government started working since its first meeting with the idea that reconciliation is the main issue, adding that the government has already prepared a main outline and structure for moving on with this project.
He pointed out that national reconciliation isn’t about reconciling two disputing sides; rather it’s about building a nationwide reconciliation based on the unanimous acknowledgment by all Syrians that there’s a crisis that must be overcome.
Haidar called on all Syrians to work for finding a way out of the crisis and erasing the effects of the past through compassion and justice.
He noted that his ministry quickly began working on the basis that an opinion cannot be formed before being well-informed, which is why it started tours of Syria to inspect the situation on the ground, visiting Hama, Homs and Damascus already to identify the current situation so that an executive work program can be devised to realize urgent and justified popular demands, which would reduce tension and prepare the atmosphere for a true national project on which all Syrians can agree.
Haidar concluded by stating that the National Reconciliation Ministry will have a spate headquarters and will rely chiefly on open interactions with all Syrians inside and abroad through phone lines that are standing by all day long, in additions to fax, email and an interactive website.
Two Terrorists Confess to Smuggling Weapons and Gunmen, Receiving Weapon Training from Turkish Security Forces
Jul 08, 2012
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Terrorists Mustafa Sharrouf and Sobhi Aswad confessed to smuggling gunmen and various types of weapons from Turkey to Syria, and that one of them received weapon training from Turkish security forces at the so-called refugee camps.
In confessions broadcast by the Syrian TV on Saturday, Sharrouf, a 22 year-old Idleb native, said that he and his cousin Alaa Sharrouf and Samer Bakkoure smuggle weapons from Turkey to Syria and smuggling people into Turkey from Syria.
Sharrouf said that a man called Mohammad al-Tabak asked his cousin to provide him with weapons, so they sold him 12 pump-action shotguns with 18 boxes or rounds, and 11 PKC machineguns with its ammo.
Later, while on a smuggling run to bring more weapons for al-Tabak, the terrorists were arrested by the Turkish police who sent them to a “refugee camp” in Yayladagi, and there they were distributed among groups, with Sharrouf’s group numbering around 50.
Sharrouf and his group were trained to use firearms by Turkish officers, then after 25 days he and his cohorts were released and returned to smuggling, bringing al-Tabak anti-air missiles, 6 sniper rifles, 5 machineguns, 10 automatic rifles, 30 grenades, and military uniforms. Their last weapon shipment before being arrested consisted of 11 automatic rifles and 18 pump-action shotguns.
For his part, terrorist Aswad, born in 1980, said he started off smuggling fuel and cows into Turkey with a man called Hussam al-Shahoud, and then they moved on to smuggling weapons after striking a deal with a man in Turkey called Suheil Karadabasht who transported weapons to the Turkish side of the borders, while Aswad and al-Shahoud brought them into Syria through Orontes River and stored them in the latter’s basement.
Aswad said that the weapons then were distributed among terrorist groups by a man called Abdelkader Hajjar and his brothers.
He went on to say that he visited his cousin who lives in Izmir and works in Antioch, and the latter took him to a camp in Rihaniya, where he met people who warned him that visiting the camp was dangerous because he could be arrested by the Turkish security forces and transported to a shelter in Antioch, and they expressed regret over coming to the camp as the Turkish security forces abuse and mistreat them and prevent them from returning to Syria or leaving the camp.
Aswad said that he also visited the camp in Yayladagi, which had a hospital nearby along with a training camp where gunmen from Syria were trained.