Syrians Continue Activities in Rejection of Foreign Interference and in Support of Independent National Decision
SWEIDA/DEIR EZZOR, (SANA) – In Sweida governorate, masses gathered in the southern entrance of Shahba city to denounce the crimes committed by armed terrorist groups, affirming that Syria will emerge stronger thanks to the awareness of its people and their rallying around the leadership.
Participants carried Syrian flags and banners and chanted slogans saluting the army and calling for striking against those who tamper with Syria’s security and shed Syrian blood.
The participants affirmed that all honest Syrians stand as one in the face of the conspiracy targeting Syria, stressing that they gathered to voice their rejection of all conspiracies and send a clear message of challenge to those who seek to undermine Syria’s steadfastness.
They also expressed support for the reform program and their commitment to national unity, saluting the Syrian military and civilian martyrs and saying that Syria is worth sacrificing everything for.
The participants called on the Arab League observer mission to relate facts objectively and professionally and relay the true pulse of the Syrian street.
In Deir Ezzor, the “Syria’s Braids” group held a campaign for collecting signatures of mothers and women from the governorate in cooperation with the Women Union branch.
The campaign, titled “The Will of Syria’s Mothers,” aims at collecting signatures to show support for independent national decision and the reform program led by President al-Assad, in addition to expressing rejection of foreign interference.
The campaign’s organizers said that the “will” invites Syrians to preserve amity, security and safety in Syria, and that the activity aims at spreading awareness of the need for mothers to raise their children to love their country and instill in them the culture of dialogue.
Officer, Five Army members martyred by Rocket missiles in Sahnaya, Damascus Countryside
GOVERNORATES, (SANA)-An officer, five soldiers were martyred by rocket missiles fired by an armed terrorist group on a checkpoint near Sahnaya in Damascus countryside.
SANA reporter on Monday learned that seven other army members were wounded as a result of the terrorist attack.
Armed terrorist group assassinates Brigadier General Mohammed Abdul-Hamid al-Awwad
An armed terrorist group on Monday assassinated Brigadier General Mohammed Abdul-Hamid al-Awwad by shooting him in Ghotta area while he was heading for work.
A source told SANA’s correspondent that a terrorist group opened fire on the car of Brigadier General al-Awwad while he was heading for his work at one of the military units in the Eastern Ghotta which led to his immediate death, while his driver was injured.
The assassinated brigadier general’s driver told the Syrian TV “As we were heading to the Brigadier General’s military unit, we saw a taxi on the right of the road…it overtook us and then blocked our way. Four gunmen started shooting at us. Brigadier al-Awwad was shot in the head and I was also injured.”
The martyr’s brother said that those who claim to be promoting freedom for Syria are behind the martyrdom of his brother, adding that they are not Muslims, but rather terrorists.
Railway Engineer Assassinated in Homs
In Homs city, an armed terrorist group assassinated railway engineer Haidar Abbas Ismail in front of his home in al-Shammas neighborhood.
SANA’s correspondent was informed that the body of Ismail, who worked for the Railways General Establishment, was transported to Homs National Hospital.
Arms-Loaded Car Seized in Deir Ezzor
The competent authorities in Deir Ezzor seized a Toyota Pickup car loaded with weapons after chasing it on al-Shoula road.
SANA correspondent reported that PKC gun, 33 automatic rifles, ammunition, fake passports and 335 drugs were seized inside the car, which carried a fake plate.
Armed Terrorist Groups Attack Paint Factory and a Municipality in Hama Countryside
Armed terrorist groups on Monday opened fire on a Paint Factory, attacked the Municipality of al-Naeimiyeh village in Hama Countryside and stole a car belonging to Health Directorate in the governorate.
An official source at the governorate told SANA correspondent that 10 terrorists in two cars opened fire on the Municipality of al-Naeimiyeh village in al-Salamiyeh area and no injuries were reported.
The source added that another armed terrorist group fired on Dhimesh Paint Factory on Hama a al-Salamiyeh highway, near the crossroads to al-Moubarakat village and also no injuries were reported.
The source said that an armed terrorist group stole a white double cabin pickup Toyota car which belongs to the Health Directorate in the governorate from in front of a Vaccination Center in al-Ba’ath neighborhood in Hama City.
Armed group abducts citizen in Hama
An armed terrorist group today abducted citizen Ahid Khalil, 44, while going to his work in Hama Tires’ Factory.
An official source in Hama told SANA reporter the armed men intercepted Mr. Khlil near his village Kfar al-Ton while going to his work. The terrorists took him to unknown place and stole his Sham-car.
The source added that the competent authorities in Homs found a body for an unknown citizen, killed by a bullet and beside him the citizen Maher Abdul-Ghani Othman, unconscious with bruises on his body.
Law-Enforcement Member martyred in Homs
A member of the Law-enforcement personnel was martyred today after an armed terrorist group shot fires at him near a checkpoint for the security forces at Dir Balaba neighborhood in Homs.
SANA reporter in Homs learned from an official source in the city that the terrorist group shot fires on the law-enforcement members in Dir Balba, leading to the martyrdom of Saad Younes Afifi.
Citizen Murad Salim, who was abducted by a terrorist group yesterday was martyred today of his wounds at the Labor Hospital in Homs.
AL Observer Teams Continue Tours of Syrian Provinces
GOVERNORATES, (SANA)_The teams of the AL observer mission in Syria continued Monday their tours of Syrian provinces and met the released prisoners according to Decree No. 10.
In Homs, a team of AL observers visited Homs governorate and another team visited Tadmur city in Homs countryside and met chairmen of water, electricity and irrigation units and chairman of Tadmur Municipality, and inspected the damage wrought by the armed terrorist groups.
In Raqqa, the AL observer mission visited the National Hospital and the Cultural Center in the city and some police departments, whereas another team visited Daraa governorate.
An observer team visited the Old Airport neighborhood and Deir Ezzor market , while another group visited Hasaka province and met clan leaders. One team also visited Tishreen and al-Mujtahed hospitals in Damascus and Damascus countryside governorate building.
Another team met a number of authors, intellectuals and religious figures in Tartus, whereas a third team toured parts of Hama.
A team also visited Shahba city in Sweida province and met the family of a martyr who was killed by an armed terrorist group, while another team visited the Central Prison and Aleppo governorate building.
In Lattakia, an observer team visited the Central Prison in the city while another team met a number of citizens who were affected by the acts of the armed terrorist groups at Rotana Hotel. They also visited al-Slaibeh neighborhood in the city.
Authorities Set Free a new Batch of Prisoners in the presence of Arab Observers
DAMASCUS, (SANA)- A new batch of prisoners, involved in the events since March 15, 2011 who were included in the general amnesty decree No. 10/2012 issued by President Bashar al-Assad were released on Monday in the presence of members of the Arab League monitors.
A number of released persons at Damascus central prison underlined that the pardon decree forms a new start for them to practice their normal life and contribute to building the society.
“The pardon spreads the spirit of amity and tolerance…this is our country and we have to unite hand in hand to build it and promote the position of Syria, Atef said to SANA.
Mohammad Ashaar added “I am very happy to go back to my home and practice my work… I discovered that I was wrong… the amnesty was an opportunity to correct my fault.”
For their part, several families and relatives of the released citizens were satisfied over the pardon which let them back to their houses and sons, adding that the pardon consolidated the values of tolerance and amity in Syria.
Health Minister: Syria Allocated financial resources to boost Health Sector
GENEVA, (SANA)-Health Minister Wael al-Halaki said that Syria has allocated a lot of its financial resources to spend them on the health sector, seeking social and medical stability for all citizens in spite of the pressures to which Syria is exposed.
“Syria wants to boost the health sector in spite of the acts of sabotage perpetrated by armed terrorist groups, particularly the attacks on hospitals, health centers, emergency system and the medical cadres,” Minister Halaki, Head of the Syrian delegation to the 130th session of World Health Organization (WHO) said.
The Minister pointed out to the pioneering role of WHO in the health sector on the international level and the progress achieved by it in a number of health domains to guarantee the future of nations.
Syria is a member in the Executive Council of WHO’s General Assembly that includes 34 members states.
Five Army, Law-Enforcement Martyrs Escorted to Final Resting Place
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The bodies of 5 army and law-enforcement forces martyrs on Monday were escorted from Police and Tishreen Military hospitals to their final resting place.
The martyrs were killed by the armed terrorist groups while performing their national duty in Damascus Countryside and Deir Ezzor.
Solemn funeral ceremonies were held for the martyrs as they were carried on shoulders and covered with the national flag while the Military Band was playing the music of the “Martyr” and the “Farewell”.
The martyrs are:
– Captain Maher Abdel Haqq Saleh, from Lattakia.
– Sergeant Major Moayad Asaad Jaddoue, from Aleppo.
– Corporal Aws Mohammad Nazha, from Lattakia.
– Conscript Sattam Khalil al-Aabo, from Aleppo.
– Policeman Mohammad Mouh al-Ali, from Deir Ezzor.
Families of the martyrs expressed confidence that the blood of the martyrs will help Syria overcome the crisis and head to a better future, stressing that the crimes of armed terrorist groups will not dull the Syrians’ determination to confront the conspiracy targeting their country.
They stressed that the Syrian people’s unity and their rallying around their leadership will foil the conspiracy and other schemes aimed at undermining their country.
President of Belarus Reiterates Support to Syria
MINSK, (SANA) – President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus on Monday reiterated his country’s firm and complete support to Syria in the face of what it is currently confronting.
The President stressed his conviction that Syria will come out from the crisis and that stability and security will be restored again soon.
The remarks came during the President’s reception of Syria’s Ambassador to Belarus Farouk Taha on the occasion of ending his mission, with President Lukashenko expressing his country’s desire to more enhance friendship relations with Syria.
Russia: General Amnesty Decree by President al-Assad Contributes to Settling Situation without Foreign Interference
MOSCOW, (SANA) – Russia welcomed the decree on general amnesty issued by President Bashar al-Assad, adding that it contributes to settling the situation in Syria without any foreign interference.
In a statement published by the Russian Foreign Ministry on its website, the Ministry indicated that it is not the first such procedure taken by the Syrian leadership.
The statement added that Moscow found in this amnesty a positive and very important progress regarding the Arab work plan and the protocol signed between Syria and the Arab League General Secretariat.
The Ministry expressed confidence that Syria will fulfill its commitments in accordance with the Arab Work Plan and the Protocol signed.
Russia : Necessity of Respecting Syria’s Sovereignty, settling crisis through Dialogue
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed Monday with the US First Deputy of Secretary of State William Burns the situation in Syria, Iran and the Russian-American relations.
Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Burns also met the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Michael Bugdanov, adding the two sides discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and North Africa including Syria.
“During the two meetings, Russia has stressed the necessity of respecting Syria’s sovereignty and settling the crisis by the Syrians themselves through the halt of violence, and conducing dialogue between the government and opposition without preconditions,” the statement said.