3 Law-enforcement Members Martyred, Scores of Terrorists Killed, Caught in Daraa Countryside…19 Martyrs Laid to Rest
PROVINCES, (SANA) – 3 law-enforcement members, among them First Lieutenant officer, were martyred and five others injured in a clash with an armed terrorist group in al-Jiza town in Daraa countryside.
SANA correspondent quoted an official source in the governorate as saying that many terrorists were killed and many others injured during the clash, adding that a number of convicted terrorists were caught.
The competent authorities also seized amounts of weapons and ammunition and stolen cars.
2 Officers, Law-enforcement Member Injured by Explosive Device in Idleb
2 officers and a law-enforcement member were injured by an explosive device planted by an armed terrorist group in Idleb on Thursday.
SANA correspondent quoted an informed source as saying that an explosive device planted by a terrorist group on a road near the industrial area was remotely detonated as a car carrying law-enforcement members was passing by, injuring First Lieutenant Ziad Zuhdi and First Lieutenant Abdullah Abdulhadi.
Terrorist Group Burglarizes General Establishment of Seed Multiplication Branch in Idleb
An armed terrorist group burglarized on Thursday the General Establishment of Seed Multiplication branch in Idleb.
SANA correspondent quoted the branch’s director as saying the terrorist group broke into the branch’s storehouses and robbed 9 tons of sugar beet seeds and 350 kg of maize seeds.
The terrorist group also stole two cars, computers, cameras and office furniture.
Nineteen Army, Law-Enforcement Forces Martyrs Escorted to Final Resting Place
The bodies of 19 army and law-enforcement forces martyrs on Monday were laid to rest from Tishreen and Homs military hospitals the Police Hospital in Harasta and Lattakia National Hospital.
The martyrs were killed at the hands of the armed terrorist groups while on duty in Damascus Countryside, Idleb, Homs, Hama and Daraa.
Solemn funeral ceremonies were held for the martyrs, as they were carried on shoulders while the music of the “Martyr” and “Farewell” was playing.
The martyrs are:
– Brigadier General Rajeh Mustafa Mahmoud from Homs.
– Retired Major Mohsen Ja’afar Ja’afar, from Homs.
– First Lieutenant Alaa Yousef Ibrahim, from Homs.
– Chief Warrant Officer Hamzeh Aziz Saleh, from Hama.
– Chief Warrant Officer Madian Ahmad Shawish, from Homs.
– Warrant Officer Mohammad Khaled al-Hussein, from Hama.
– Sergeant Muhanad Mohsen Ibrahim, from Lattakia.
– Sergeant Marin Saleh Ahmad, from Lattakia.
– Sergeant Alaa Eddin Marwan Sahloul, from Homs.
– Sergeant Osama Ahmad Ismael, from Idleb.
– Conscript Feras Hisham Troudi, from Hama.
– Conscript Ammar Mahmoud Darbo, from Homs.
– Conscript Mahmoud Said Rajab, from Damascus Countryside.
– Conscript Aras Sabri Yousef, from Hasaka.
– Conscript Raafat Mahmoud al-Hussein, from Hasaka.
– Conscript Abdel Aziz Ahmad al-Oweis, from Aleppo.
– Conscript Mahmoud Fahed Khundeh, from Damascus Countryside.
– Policeman Muhanad Abdel Kareem al-Khateeb, from Idleb.
– Policeman Conscript Abdallah al-Sheikh Bakkar, from Raqqa.
Families of the martyrs expressed confidence that Syria will overcome the crisis through the Syrian people’s adherence to their national unity, adding that the blood of the martyrs will fortify Syria against all challenges.
They stressed that the Syrian people’s unity and their rallying around their leadership will foil the conspiracy and other schemes aiming at undermining their homeland.
The families condemned the crimes committed by the armed terrorist groups, adding that they will not weaken the Syrians’ determination to confront the conspiracy hatched against it.
Salehi: Syria is Targeted due to its Support to Resistance
TEHRAN, (SANA)_Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said that the campaign against Syria is due to its being the resistance ”strongest link” in the region.
In an interview with the Lebanese al-Akhbar daily published on Thursday, Salehi said that the Syrian government backs resistance, and that’s the reason behind this campaign against it, affirming Iran’s full support to Syria.
Salehi said it is strange that the Arab League officials turned to the Security Council for imposing sanctions in Syria, especially that this move comes following the balanced report of the AL monitoring mission.
He added that there is ambiguity in dealing with Syria, wondering why Syria is not given chance for implementing the reforms announced by the Syrian leadership.
The Iranian foreign minister underlined the importance of preserving security and stability in Syria, adding that some international powers, including Russia and China, have deep understanding of events on the world arena in general and in the region in particular.
Al-Dabi: We are Committed to AL Observers’ Report
KHARTOUM, (SANA)– Head of Arab League monitoring mission in Syria Lt. Gen. Mohammad Mustafa al-Dabi reiterated on Thursday his commitment to the Arab League monitoring mission’s report and the statements he made about it, stressing that some sides are interpreting the report in a way different from its content.
In a press conference held in the capital city of Sudan, Khartoum, al-Dabi pointed out that suspending the AL mission has worsened the situation on the ground.
Al-Dabi denounced the media campaign launched by some sides against the mission even before it started work , stressing that foreign media, not the Syrian media, fabricated a lot of news about the work of the mission.
Al-Dabi said that while the mission teams were touring in some provinces, some people threw stones at security members who were guarding the teams, but the security members did not react.
He added that at first the mission was welcomed by both the government and the opposition which resulted in positive developments, including the decrease of violence.
Al-Dabi affirmed that he verified the release of 5000 detainees, who were involved in the current events in Syria, due to the latest general amnesty.
The reality on the ground is that gunmen and the so-called “the Free Army” exist, adding that he saw a very large number of gunmen but he could not verify the identities of some of them.
He stressed that Anwar Malik did not participate in any tour in Syria but once, describing what Malik did as “immoral and impolite”, adding that officials in Algeria said that Malik escaped from Algeria to France 15 years ago.
Al-Dabi concluded by saying that all Syrians inside Syria want to find a solution and live in peace, stressing that he has things to say after he accomplishes his mission as head of the AL observer mission.
2 Workers from State Textile Company Injured by Terrorists’ Gunfire in Homs
HOMS, (SANA)- Two workers from the General Textile Company in Homs province on Thursday were wounded by the gunfire of an armed terrorist group.
A source in the province told SANA reporter that an armed terrorist gang opened fire at a bus belonging to the General Textile Company near the National Hospital injuring two workers, who were taken to al-Ahli Hospital.
Antonov: Russia Will Continue Exporting Arms to Syria since No International Rules Violated
MOSCOW, (SANA) – Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said “Russia is committed to international rules on exporting arms and it doesn’t violate any international obligations.”
In a press conference in Moscow on Thursday, Antonov stressed that Russia will continue exporting arms to Syria within the framework of the international rules and norms.
He added that exporting arms to Syria is carried out in accordance with the Russian legislations on arms exports, stressing that Russia doesn’t export arms that contribute to undermining stability.
The Russian Deputy Defense Minister added that the Syrian side is comfortable about the military and technical cooperation with Russia, adding that there are no restrictions on sending arms to Syria and that Russia has to implement its obligations in this regard and that what it really does.
He added that Russia is monitoring the arms sent to the Syrian territories and no facts indicated that these arms have been used against the opposition.
Antonov pointed out that the Syrian-Russian agreement allows the Russian side to monitor the exported arms.
A Lebanese Confesses to Involvement in Smuggling Weapons from Wadi Khaled to Tal Kalakh
DAMASCUS, SANA_ Fadi Faisal Moussa, a Lebanese national, has confessed to his participation, along with a group, in smuggling weapons from Wadi Khaled area in Lebanon to Tal Kalakh in Syria in coordination with another Lebanese man in Wadi Khalid.
In confessions broadcast by the Syrian TV on Thursday, Mousa said the smuggled weapons included machine guns, RPG launchers and ammunition in addition to drugs.
Moussa said that he, together with Muhammad al-Ridani, used to work as smugglers of TV sets across the Syrian-Lebanese borders.
”We were caught afterwards and put under arrest at the Central Prison until 2005 when we were sent to Lebanon…Next day I returned illegally to Syria and resumed my work in smuggling as a resident in Talkalakh…We used to smuggle heating fuel, tobacco, cement and hardware until March 2011 when smuggling was hit by events.”
He added that he was involved in smuggling weapons from Wadi Khaled, adding ”we smuggled automatic rifles, RPG launchers, ammunition, bullets and drugs, and I was responsible for enwrapping the smuggled stuff while the rest of the group carried them across the borders.”
Moussa added that someone called Mahmoud Khalaf was responsible for distributing the weapons inside Syria through a group coming from Talkalakh.
”I was arrested in the month of December, during which I managed to smuggle two shipments,” says Moussa.
Head of ICRC Regional Delegation: Sanctions against Syria Negatively Affect Citizens’ Life
MOSCOW, (SANA) – Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Regional Delegation, Juan Luis Coderque Galligo, expressed concern over the impact of the sanctions taken against Syria on the economic situation of the Syrian people and the citizens’ daily life.
In a statement on Thursday, he added that the concern over the consequences of the sanctions doesn’t fall within the political framework, but rather it embodies the reality.
He added that the ICRC cooperates closely with the Syrian Arad Red Crescent which does good work throughout Syria.
In Appreciation of China’s Support, Syrian-Chinese Friendship Forest Inaugurated
ALEPPO, (SANA) – In appreciation of China’s stances in support for Syria and the just Arab issues, the Syrian-Chinese Friendship Forest was inaugurated in Khan al-Asal region in Aleppo.
The forest covers an area of 12dunams planted with 1200 cypress and pine saplings.
Minister of State for Environment Affairs Kawkab Sabah al-Daya underlined the importance of this initiative to express gratitude to the friendly people of China, indicating to the deep Syrian-Chinese relations over the years.
Minister al-Daya added that Syrian-Russian Friendship Forest was inaugurated in Qudsaya area in Damascus last week as a a gesture of appreciation of Russia’s stances in support of Syria.
China’s Ambassador in Damascus Zhang Xun stressed that this gesture indicates the strong relations between Syria and China and reflects the Syrian people’s love and appreciation of the Chinese people.
He said that the Chinese stance towards the situation in Syria is firm, adding that his country rejects to solve problems in Syria through sanctions or pressures.
He added that China believes that the Syrian people are able to solve their problems by themselves through dialogue and the comprehensive political process.
The event was organized by the State Ministry for Environment Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform.
Western Colonial Powers Thank Arab Conspiring Tools for Their Efforts against Syria
DAMASCUS, (SANA)-“Thank you.. you fulfilled the mission, and now it is our turn”, this is what any observer could interpret from the speeches of the old-new colonial states’ foreign ministers at the UN Security Council on Tuesday when they offered thanks to their Arab conspiring tools.
The colonial states thanked the Arab tools for internationalizing the Syrian crisis and referring it to the UNSC. As of today, and in light of the vision of those countries, the Syrian file became reach in the UNSC where they have long exploited it to pass what would fit them against nations.
Observers see that the West, that won’t consider any evaluation to what the Arabs demand, rushed to attend this festival represented by foreign Ministers of superpowers that support Israel.
Although the role played by the two sponsors (Hamad and al-Arabi) of the Arab League was unveiled since the outbreak of events in Syria, but what was presented by the two yesterday- paving the way for countries that have killed millions of people to take revenge of Syria’s resistant role in the region- made the majority of Arabs and Syrians feel sorrow and pain of some Arabs who were involved in targeting Syria.
The speeches of Hamad and al-Arabi concentrated on demanding the foreign intervention in the Syrian domestic affairs, imposing economic sanctions, ignoring the acts of armed terrorist groups in Syria.