Syrian Revolution Daily News Round-up Day 655: Friday, 28 December 2012

Thousands rally in condemnation of regime attacks on bakeries

From inside a bakery in the Idlib suburb of Kafartakharim, a protester holds a placard that reads “The Friday of the bread of blood”

• Thousands of protesters took to the streets across the country in what they called the Friday of “The Bread of Blood”.
• Regime forces killed more than 128 people, mainly in Damascus and its suburbs, Aleppo and Daraa.
• The rebels announced an all-out offensive to liberate the city of Idlib, seized control of an oil field in Deir Azzour.

• Shoaytat, Deir Azzour: The rebels take over the Tanak oil field, P2
• Safeera, Aleppo Suburb: Regime shelling leaves many people dead and wounded, P2
• Baser Harir, Daraa: Hundreds of people flee the town due to the massive military offensive by regime forces, P2

Today’s Statistics

• Death Toll: 125 including 15 women, 9 children and 47 rebel fighters (Damascus and Suburbs: 43, Aleppo: 25, Daraa: 16, Idlib: 9, Qunaitera: 9, Homs: 8, Deir Azzour: 8, Hama: 4, Raqa: 3, Suweidaa: 2, Latakia: 1)
• Number of areas shelled: +274
• Regime Soldiers Death Toll: +42
• Number of People Wounded: +75
• Number of People Detained: +30
• FSA Key Operations:
  • Interdicted a major road in the Damascus suburb of Sayed Zeinab near the airport.
  • Seized control of al-Tanki oil field in the Deir Azzour suburb of Shoaytat.
  • Stormed a number of military checkpoints in Daraa, Damascus, Hama and Raqa.

Summary of Events

Thousands of protesters took to the streets across the country in what they called the Friday of “The Bread of Blood”, protesting the attacks by regime forces on bakeries where more than 100 people died when a fighter jet bombarded a bakery in the Hama suburb of Helfaya earlier this week. More than 33 bakeries were shelled by regime forces leaving more than 300 people dead and thousands more wounded, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

Today, regime forces bombarded another bakery in the Raqa suburb of Tabaqa without leaving any casualties. Meanwhile, they killed more than 128 people, including 15 women, nine children and 47 rebel fighters.

In Aleppo, regime forces launched heavy aerial and artillery bombardments on the provincial town of Safeera, targeting two mosques and a number of residential buildings, destroying more than 15 buildings and leaving at least 15 people dead and dozens more wounded. Meanwhile, the joint Assad-Hezbollah forces invaded the besieged neighbourhood of Deir Baalba in Homs city, killing at least five civilians and sending hundreds of people fleeing their homes.

In Damascus and its suburbs, some 43 people were killed, 10 of whom died due to the violent and indiscriminate shelling in the town of Moadamiyat al-Sham while many others died in similar attacks on the towns of Hazerma, Asal al-Ward, Irbin, Douma, Daraya, Thiyabiya and Mqelbiya. More than 16 people were killed in Daraa, the majority of whom died due to the massive military offensive carried out on the town of Baser Hariri which was subjected to intense aerial and rocket shelling which also forced thousands of people to evacuate the town.

Regime forces shelled as many as 274 different locations across the country using all sort of heavy weaponry, including cluster, phosphorous, thermobaric and TNT bombs. Some 124 locations were shelled by mortar shells and 124 others were pounded by heavy artillery. More than 36 locations came under rocket shelling as fighter jets struck more than 18 locations and helicopter gunships dropped barrel bombs on three more. These attacks caused extensive damage to residential buildings and left dozens of people dead and wounded and sent thousands fleeing their homes.

The rebels continued to score advances across the country mainly in Damascus, Deir Azzour and Idlib. Commander-in-Chief of the Idlib Military Council, announced the beginning of a major offensive to liberate the entire city of Idlib as they inched closer towards liberating its suburbs while fighting for the remaining military posts in the town Ma’arrat al-Noman.

In Damascus, the rebels interdicted the road connecting the town of Sayeda Zeinab with Damascus airport and clashed with regime forces near the Rawda hotel, just 500 meters away from the Shite shrine of Sayeda Zeinab, a major destination for the Shiite pilgrims. Fighting was also reported in the vicinity of Damascus airport as well as in the provincial town of Zabadani where more than 50 army soldiers defected to the rebels’ side. The rebels seized control of an oil field in the Deir Azzour suburb of Shoa’ytat in addition to storming a number of military checkpoints in Daraa, Hama and Raqa.

Leader of the Syrian National Coalition, Ahmad Moath Khatib rejected an invitation to visit Moscow by the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in order to negotiate a peace settlement with his government on Syria. In a televised interview on Al-Jazeera TV channel, Moath said that Russia most first apologize for interfering in Syria’s affairs and should clearly condemn the atrocities condemned by the Assad regime and most push Assad to step down before he (Moath) changes his position and accepts to meet with the Russians.

Videos

Armed Resistance
Harasta, Damascus Suburb: The rebels attack the military vehicles department, P2
Idlib: The rebels destroy a military tank

Damascus
Hajar Aswad: Despite the heavy shelling, of protesters rally in condemnation of regime attacks on bakeries
Qabun: A Palestinian man shot dead by a sniper
Jobar: Hundreds of protesters rally in condemnation of regime attacks on bakeries
Barzeh: Protesters chant their support for the areas under attack

Damascus Suburbs
Kafarbanta: Hundreds of protesters rally in condemnation of regime attacks on bakeries
Thiyabiya: Demonstrators demand the overthrow of the regime
Mliha: Houses set ablaze due to the violent shelling
Irbin: Protesters chant their support for the rebel fighters
Darya: The shelling continues, so do the peaceful protests, P2

Aleppo
Aleppo Intl Airport: Massive explosions spotted inside the airport
Bustan Qaser: Protesters condemn the regime’s brutal crackdown and demands its downfall
Sukari: Demonstration joined by children, condemn the disappointing positions of the Arab nations
Tariq al-Bab: The devastating aftermath of the violent shelling

Aleppo Suburbs
Indan: Rebel fighters provide protection to protesters
Manbij: Protesters show confidence and belief in their victory over Assad
Marea: Protesters chant for their fallen heroes
Tal Refaat: Regime warplane bombards the town
Kobani: Hundreds of protesters rally in condemnation of regime attacks on bakeries

Homs
Waer: Protesters rally in condemnation of regime attacks on bakeries
Old City: Clouds of smoke billow from the city due to the indiscriminate shelling
Khaldiya: Protesters say they will keep fighting till the end
Bab Houd: The devastating aftermath of the violent shelling
Rastan: Protesters say Assad is their enemy

Daraa
Tayba: Regime forces bombard the town
Mahatta: Protesters rally in condemnation of regime attacks on bakeries
Qusour: Protesters chant for the revolution and salute the fallen heroes
Nahta: Regime heavy artillery bombards the town

Hama
Kafarzeita: Demonstration chant support for areas under attack
Latamna: Protesters condemn the regime attacks on bakeries
Karkanaz: Protesters chant “we sacrifice our souls and blood for Syria”
Madiq Fortress: Protesters chant for the unity of the Syrian people

Idlib
Kafrouma: Regime shelling causes several casualties and set a number of houses ablaze, P2
Darkoush: Protesters demand the overthrow of the regime
Sarmin: Protesters chant their support for the rebel fighters
Kafartakhrim: Protesters vow to continue their struggle for freedom

Deir Azzour
Howayqa: Clouds of smoke rise from residential buildings due to the indiscriminate shelling
Hamidiya: The daily shelling causes extensive damage to the city’s infrastructure
Central City: The devastating aftermath of the daily shelling

Raqa
Thakana: Security forces open fire on protesters

Latakia
Salma: Clouds of smoke billow from the area due to the heavy shelling

Demonstrations and Activities Abroad
Egypt: Mass demonstration in solidarity with the Syrian people

Source