Foreign and Expatriates Ministry: Armed Terrorist Groups have once again Foiled Efforts to Evacuate Wounded People and Families from Homs
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – An official source at the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry stated on Thursday that the Ministry, the authorities concerned and the local authorities in Homs city have exerted efforts to enable the International Red Cross and the Syrian Red Crescent to enter the areas where the armed terrorist groups exist in order to evacuate the wounded, the elders, children, women, people with special needs and the other citizens and to enter medical and food aid; however, the armed terrorist groups once again foiled all efforts.
The source pointed out that the armed terrorist groups fired at the Red Crescent and the Red Cross delegation and announced their rejection of evacuating any wounded or ill citizen.
These terrorist practices which violate the international human law uncover once again the criminal nature of those armed groups and the nature of their regional and international supporters, the source added.
Syria calls on the UN Secretary-General, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) to shoulder their responsibilities and exert pressure on the armed terrorist groups to force them to abide by the human logic, the source noted.
The Foreign and Expatriates Ministry’s source reiterated Syria’s commitment to the safety and security of the citizens and cooperation with the international community to end the suffering of the citizens in the areas where the armed terrorist groups exist.
4 Citizens Injured in Terrorist Blast in Aleppo, Two Members of the Authorities Martyred in Clash with Terrorists in Idleb
GOVERNORATES, (SANA)- Four citizens got wounded in the explosion of a booby-trapped motorcycle near Salah Eddin Mosque in Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood on Thursday.
A source in Aleppo Governorate told SANA reporter that two terrorists driving a booby-trapped motorcycle blew themselves up causing their immediate death and the injury of four citizens.
Two Members of Authorities Martyred in Clash with Terrorists in Idleb
Two members of the authorities on Thursday were martyred and five others were injured in a clash with an armed terrorist group who have been attacking citizens and law enforcement personnel and vandalizing public and private properties in Arminaz town in the countryside of Idleb governorate.
SANA reporter cited a source in the governorate as saying that tens of terrorists were killed or injured in the clash, among them was the terrorist Adnan al-Sattouf who was wanted for various crimes.
Military Engineering Units Detonate 3 Explosive Devices in Idleb
In another context, members of military engineering units detonated three explosive devices, each weighed 40 kg, planted by an armed terrorist group on Nahlia crossroads in Jabal al-Arbaeen area.
A source of the engineering units said that the explosive devices were equipped with remote control devices and could not be dismantled.
A Number of Terrorists Killed in Clash with the Authorities
On Idleb-Harem road, the authorities clashed with members of an armed terrorist group who have been planting explosive devices and injured a number of them.
Three Citizens Injured by Terrorists’ Gunfire in Hama
In Hama, three citizens on Wednesday were injured by the fire of an armed terrorist group in Janoub al-Mala’b neighborhood in Hama.
SANA reporter quoted a source in Hama Governorate as saying that terrorists opened fire randomly at the aforementioned neighborhood causing the injury of Doctor Majd Dakak and citizens Zuhair Qartabani and Asil Mukleh.
The source added that the competent authorities found the body of pharmacist Mahmoud Yasin Hassani near al-Kabbarieh village in Souran area, after having been shot by terrorists.
260 Tons of Raw Cotton Bales Burned in Terrorist Attack on Factory in Hama
An armed terrorist group on Wednesday targeted the Cotton Yarn Factory in the city of Hama with RPGs causing fire to erupt at the factory which devoured 260 tons of raw cotton bales.
A source at Hama Police Command told SANA reporter that the fire broke out in storehouse 2 of the factory, which is located on Hama-Homs road, burning out 1300 raw cotton bales before firefighters were able to extinguish the fire.
The source added that each of the burned bales weighed 200 g, making a quarter of the warehouse’s contents of unrefined cotton.
Authorities Clash with Terrorists in Douma, Damascus Countryside
Authorities, in cooperation with locals, stormed a number of terrorists’ hideouts in Douma and its surroundings.
A source in the province told SANA reporter that the authorities clashed with the terrorists, killing few of them and wounding others in addition to seizing their weapons.
Twenty Army, Law-enforcement and Civilian Martyrs Laid to Rest
PROVINCES, (SANA) -The bodies of 20 army, law enforcement and civilian martyrs on Thursday were escorted from the military hospitals of Tishreen, Aleppo, Deir Ezzor and Zahi Azraq to their final resting place.
Solemn funeral ceremonies were held for the martyrs who were targeted by armed terrorist groups while they were in the line of duty in Damascus and its Countryside, Homs, Hama, Deir Ezzor, Aleppo and Idleb.
The martyrs are:
§ Lieutenant Gen. Ghassan Khalil Abu al-Dhahab, from Damascus.
§ Chief Warrant Officer Ali Mahmoud Ali, from Lattakia.
§ Warrant Officer Yamen Ahmad Makhlouf, from Hama.
§ Sergeant Ali Hassan Ma’rouf, from Homs.
§ Sergeant Major Ali Zuhair Dawa, from Hama.
§ Sergeant Majd Aref Darwish, from Lattakia.
§ Sergeant Suleiman Yousef Shaaban, from Hama.
§ Corporal conscript Mohammad Ahmad Abbadi, from Damascus Countryside.
§ Conscript Shihab Ahmad al-Ahmad, from Hasaka.
§ Conscript Hamid Matro al-Jarou, from Aleppo.
§ Conscript Ibrahim Ramez Qadmous, from Raqaa.
§ Conscript Ahmad Mohammad Eidtabak, from Damascus.
§ Conscript Hajji Haidar al-Salou, from Aleppo.
§ Conscript Mohammad Haytham Azraq, from Aleppo.
§ Conscript Abdul-Jabbar Omar Hamshari, from Aleppo.
§ Conscript Hussein Mustafa Osman, from Aleppo.
§ Conscript Ahmad Naser Eidris, from Hasaka.
§ Conscript Midyan Hani Jaber, from Sweida.
§ Conscript Khaled Ahmad al-Saeed, from Aleppo.
§ Civilian Mohammad Rashed Wahbeh, from Damascus.
The martyrs’ families expressed pride in the martyrdom of their sons, stressing their readiness for martyrdom in defending the homeland whenever duty calls.
They expressed rejection of all forms of foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs, calling for confronting the armed terrorist groups and striking with an iron fist those who try to tamper with the homeland’s security and stability.
Lavrov: British PM’s Statement that President Putin Shifted his Position on Syria Not True
MOSCOW, (SANA) – Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov refuted the statement made by the British PM David Cameron that President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, shifted his stance towards the situation in Syria after the G20 meeting as not true.
“It is not true at all,” said Lavrov in an interview with Russia Today on Thursday.
“The meetings with UK PM David Cameron and US President Barack Obama did discuss Syria. Both our partners said President Bashar Al-Assad must go and external players must develop a transition plan for the Syrians to agree,” Lavrov added.
He said ” We expressed our position that we cannot accept a policy which would aim at changing regimes from the outside. This has been our position all along. We also cannot prejudge for the Syrians what the outcome of the political dialogue would be.”
Lavrov reiterated his country’s call for a political dialogue among all Syrians without preconditions or foreign dictates to solve the crisis in Syria.
He underlined that Russia strongly supports political dialogue and the halt of violence.
He added that his country calls upon all external players who have influence on both sides to persuade them to withdraw from cities and sit down for dialogue.
“There should be no prejudging from outside what the substance and result of this dialogue might be. It’s for the Syrians to decide,” Lavrov said.
Lavrov warned that any military intervention in Syria will lead to a catastrophe in the region, stressing that Moscow is committed to implementing its military deals with Syria, especially in relation to air defense, to repel any foreign intervention.
Lavrov said that Russia’s stance on the crisis in Syria is fair and transparent.
Lavrov added that there is discussion with Western and regional partners on activating the foreign factor for solving the Syrian crisis in Syria through the international conference on Syria due on June 30, adding that the conference constitutes a real chance that could yield results.
The Russian foreign minister reiterated call for non-interference in the Syrian domestic affairs and not forestalling agreements that must be reached by the Syrians themselves.
Lavrov pointed out to a US support to the proposals of the UN envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, for the meeting of the foreign players on June 30 in Geneva.
Lavrov underlined the importance that Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar take part in the conference, in addition to Iran, adding that the Iranians should be invited to the negotiating table, as well as the representatives of the UN, the Arab League and the EU.
Lavrov said that at least 50 per cent of the Syrians tie their future to President Bashar al-Assad for a variety of reasons, indicating that the Syrians fear that the West’s policies will bring Islamic extremists to power.
Lavrov added that Syria’s fate has to be decided through a comprehensive Syrian dialogue.
Lavrov, Annan Discuss Ways to Settle Crisis in Syria
Earlier, the Russian Foreign Minister discussed with the UN Envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, ways to settle the crisis in Syria in a phone call.
Russia Today website quoted the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying the phone call focused on international efforts to reach a diplomatic political settlement to the crisis in Syria as soon as possible.
Russia called for establishing effective mechanism to implement Annan’s plan to solve the current crisis in Syria through political dialogue.
Lukashevich : Next World Order Will Depend on Way of Settling Situation in Syria
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said the upcoming world order will depend on the way of settling the situation in Syria.
” It is quite clear that the Syrian situation is linked to the bases of the future world order and the mechanism of resolving the crisis in Syria,” Lukashevich said in a press conference in Moscow on Thursday.
He stressed that no outsider is entitled to impose any examples on the Syrians to resolve the crisis or force people to deal with issues according to certain types.
” With respect to Syria, diplomatic and political means should be used with a commitment to the provisions of the UN Charter and international laws ,” the Russian official said.
” The UN Security Council will not authorize a military intervention in Syria, ” Lukashevich said, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin, during the summit of G20 , noted to the impossibility of such option.
He underlined that it is better to encourage the two parties of conflict to sit down at the negotiations table, stop the bloodshed and to find ways of dealing between the international players for achieving Annan’s settlement plan.
Lavrov: Alaed Carried Air Defense Systems and Three Helicopters which were Overhauled
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that the Alaed Ship was carrying air defense systems and three helicopters which were overhauled in Russia.
Lavrov added in a statement to Ekho Moskvy radio that the ship carried air defense systems that could be used to repel foreign air attacks only, in addition to three helicopters which were overhauled in Russia.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said that the ship MV Alaed, carrying a cargo of overhauled Russian-made Mil Mi-25 helicopter gunships bound for Syria, will dock in the north Russian port of Murmansk on June 23rd.
“While transiting the North Sea to the Atlantic, the ship-owner was informed that its third-party insurance cover had been withdrawn, and the classification agency in which the ship is located – although it is registered under a Curacao flag – demanded it go into a port for inspection. In order to avoid delay, it was decided to dock in Murmansk where it is expected on Saturday, for re-registration under the Russian flag,” Lukashevich added.
Defense Ministry Statement: Colonel Hassan Mirei al-Hamada is a Deserter, a Traitor to his Country and Military Honor
DAMASCUS, (SANA)_The Ministry of Defense said that at 10: 34 a.m. on Thursday, communication was lost with a MiG-21 aircraft flown by the pilot Colonel Hassan Mirei al-Hamada during a usual training flight.
The ministry said in a statement that the aircraft was last detected over the Syrian southern borders before communication was lost with it, adding that the warplane left the Syrian airspace and landed in Jordan.
The Ministry said that the pilot al-Hamada is a deserter and a traitor to his country and military honor, and will be punished accordingly.
The ministry said that contacts with the Jordanian sides are underway to restore the aircraft.
Earlier, an official source announced that contact was lost with an MiG-21 aircraft that was on a training flight.
The source added in a statement that the aircraft, which was piloted by Col. Hassan Mirei al-Hamadeh, was near the Syrian southern borders before contact with it was lost at around 10: 34 am.
In Amman, a Jordanian government source told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the MiG-21 warplane was forced to land in north Jordan.
China Stresses Its Constructive Role in Dealing with Crisis in Syria
BEIJING, (SANA) – China on Thursday reiterated its constructive role in dealing with the crisis in Syria, calling upon all sides to an immediate halt of violence.
The Chinese News Agency (Xinhua) quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei’s remarks in response to a question regarding a U.S. statement saying the US had reached a consensus with China on the Syria issue.
“China has always stressed to solve the Syrian conflict through political means,” he said.
“Under the current situation, the most pressing task lies in commitments of relevant parties of Syria to cease fire and stop the violence, and seriously implement relevant UN resolutions and the six-point peace plan sponsored by Kofi Annan,” said the spokesman.
He added that China is working to start a comprehensive political dialogue without preconditions and pre-set results as soon as possible, expressing his country’s hope to work with the international community to play a constructive role in a political, appropriate and comprehensive settlement of the crisis in Syria.
Response Plan to Meet Needs of People Affected by Crisis in Syria Discussed
DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Fayssal Mikdad, and Head of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Ben Parker, discussed the response plan to meet the humanitarian needs of the people affected by the crisis in Syria and the work of the UN agencies in this regard.
Mikdad stressed that Syria provides all necessary help to the UN agencies working in Syria and the international non-governmental organizations whose work is separated from any policies or agendas.
Mikdad underlined that the EU economic sanctions against Syria target the life of the Syrian citizens and increase the difficulties facing them due to the sabotage acts committed by the armed terrorist groups against the Syrian people and the public and private institutions, adding that these sanctions violate all international standards and the international humanitarian law.
Parker hailed the standing cooperation between the UN agencies working in Syria, the official authorities and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, stressing the need for mobilizing all efforts of the international community and the donor countries to enable the Syrian citizen overcoming this difficult stage.
International Human Rights Ambassador: Syria Defends her People against Terrorism and Crimes
BEIRUT, (SANA)_ Ambassador Haitham Abu said, the Representative of the International High Commission for Human Rights to the Middle East, said Syria is now defending her people in the face of the terrorism and crimes imposed on it.
Ambassador Abu Said added in press statements following his meeting today with former Lebanese President, Emile Lahoud, that Syria has the right to defend its official properties and the security of its people.
Ambassador Abu Said asserted that the International Commission follows every precise information received and takes every necessary measures to reach to aspired-to conclusions, declaring that he briefed president Lahoud on the situation in Syria as well as on some information related to the kidnapped Lebanese in Syria.
Abdullahian: Syria Is Facing International Coalition which Represents the Peak of Hypocrisy and Duplicity
TEHRAN, (SANA)- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hussein Amir Abdullahian reiterated Iran’s support to Syria, the reforms taking place in it, and its resistant approach.
In a statement to the press on Wednesday in Qum City, Abdullahian, condemned the foreign meddling in the affairs of the countries of the region, particularly in Syria’s affairs, saying that Syria is facing an international coalition of more than 70 political systems which represent the peak of hypocrisy and duplicity.
He pointed out that the US, Israel and some Arab governments thought that Syria will be toppled in three months, but despite all pressures and the overt and covert foreign inteferences, Syria has been able to face the campaign targeting its geopolitical role in the region.
He indicated that his country will participate, along with China and Russia, in a conference in Moscow to discuss the situation in Syria and to stress on supporting the plan of the UN Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan.
AL Decision on Stopping Broadcast of Syrian TV Channels Condemned as Unjust, and Unaccepted
GENEVA, SANA_ Representatives of Russia, China, Cuba and Venezuela to the UN Human Rights Council have criticized the Arab League (AL) decision on asking Arabsat and Nilesat administrations to stop the broadcast of the official and unofficial Syrian TV satellite channels.
” This decision is one of the most dangerous violations of the freedom of expression,” the representatives said Thursday, calling on the AL to withdraw this “unjust, condemned and unaccepted decision” as they described it.
For his part, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN Human Rights Council, Faisal al-Hamwi stressed Syria’s keenness on respecting the right of expression and freedom of journalists who adhere to the Code of Honor and objectivity and enter the country through regular and legal means, not those who infiltrate in coordination with the terrorists.
He affirmed that the AL decision constitutes a flagrant violation of the principles of the media work, freedom of getting the information and document of organizing the Arab satellite broadcasting.
UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Frank La Rue, said that the decision of the AL to stop the broadcast of Syrian TV channels contradicts with the principles of freedom of expression.
He reminded of the necessity of not impeding the freedom of journalists and satellite broadcasting by any country, especially in such circumstances which Syria is passing through, where the fact of what is going on should be conveyed to the public opinion.
Earlier, the UN Human Rights Council report on the freedom of expression touched upon the situation in Syria and targeting journalists by certain sides, calling for more freedom for mass media in the world.