Daraya: Local Council of Daraya City
Media Centre – Daily Report
December 23, 2012
Headlines: 3 air raids; fierce battles along several fronts and the FSA destroy two tanks; 41 days of shelling, siege and destruction; 1 martyr and a number of injuries; medical and humanitarian situation deteriorating
The city of Daraya woke up to the noise of Assad’s warplanes who conducted three air raids causing huge explosions. Sukhoi fighters dropped incendiary cluster bombs as well as missiles targeted at residential neighbourhoods.
For the 37th day in a row, battles continued between the FSA and Assad forces who are planning to storm Daraya and wreak havoc in the city.
In the early morning, a military convoy including a number of tanks, armoured vehicles and personnel carriers left Al-Mazzeh military airport towards Daraya Arch road. Another convoy coming from Daraa highway moved towards Almaamil Road. The two convoy were preceded by intense shelling using tanks and targeted artillery.
Fierce battles broke out between the FSA and regime forces along many fronts including the eastern, southern and western fronts.
The most atrocious battles were fought along the eastern front starting from Abu Salah Square up to Old Corniche and the surrounding areas, as well as the Main Road and the Police Station.
Daraya Martyrs Battalion was able to repel the attacks showing great valour. Despite the great difference in power, the FSA destroyed two tanks and inflicted great losses on the Assad gangs.
Other battles broke out along the southern front and became more pitched by evening. The heroes of the FSA forced the Assad gangs to retreat after suffering great losses.
The pro-regime Addounia TV, accompanied by Assad’s forces and tanks, filmed a report on the massive destruction in the city claiming that it was the work of ‘armed gangs’.
Alongside the battles, artillery, tanks and land-to-land rocket launchers continued to shell the city’s neighbourhoods for a 41st consecutive day. The shelling is part of Assad’s policy to destroy the revolting cities.
Young man Mahmoud Alghazzi was killed today as a result of Assad’s barbaric bombing of the city
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=190340001090512&set=a.178694942255018.13781.178176988973480&type=1&relevant_count=1

*** Medical Situation
Seven of the residents remaining in the city were injured by the continuing indiscriminate shelling. Three were in a critical situation and needed urgent surgical operations. Despite the scarce resources, doctors have been able to perform the three operations successfully.
Generally speaking, the injured are still suffering and are in a horrific situation due to lack of properly equipped medical facilities which would protect them from any complications. In the absence of adequately hygienic atmosphere, patients are vulnerable to contamination and subsequent inflammation which could lead to probable death. The city lacks medical centres and hospitals after they have been burned and pillaged by Assad’s criminal gangs.
Yet, the medical team are doing their best within available resources to alleviate the suffering of affected people.
*** Humanitarian situation
The humanitarian situation is increasingly getting worse for the people of Daraya, whether they are still inside or displaced outside the city.
The city is still isolated from the outside world due to power and communication cuts which have lasted for 45 days.
The need for heating fuel (a.k.a Mazot) has become all the more desperate with the advance of winter and falling temperatures.
Food and medical supplies are also in acute shortage amid shameful silence by human rights and relief organizations.

Assad gangs are located in these areas
• A number of soldiers including a sniper hiding inside Alibaa Alarabi School
• A number of soldiers including a sniper hiding inside homes around Alnakkashat area
• A number of soldiers including a sniper hiding inside homes near the Police Station
• A number of soldiers including a sniper hiding inside homes near the Graveyard square
• Along Sahnaya –Jedaideh Road which runs alongside Daraya
• Aldahadeel Road between Hammam Alqishani and Alsalam Mosque
• Around Alothman Mosque
• Around Wahab Mosque
• Snipers spread in the vicinity the above areas targeting any moving body.

Links to videos and photos that document part of the situation in Daraya today
- Important, shelling of civilian homes and a bomb falls next to the photographer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbicViYf_9Y
- Important, MiG missiles hit residential neighbourhoods
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlxmHeMSNxo
- Important, Assad’s tanks wreaking havoc in an attempt to advance on the city
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfqfOtJMPr8
- Important, residential buildings and civilian homes burning as a result of shelling by tanks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vEFO7-hWZU
- Assad’s tanks retreat under strikes by the FSA, battles of attack and retreat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbicViYf_9Y
- Smoke bellowing out of civilian homes after bombing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6ueCO1OKfM
- Photo Album, massive destruction caused by shelling of residential neighbourhoods
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.190347107756468.15333.178176988973480&type=1
- - Photo Album, massive destruction caused by shelling of civilian homes
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.190355431088969.15334.178176988973480&type=1