Daraya: Local Council of Daraya City
Media Centre – Daily Report
December 29, 2012
Headlines: 3 air raids; Clashes continue and the FSA stop storming attempts for the 43rd day and damages a tank; Shelling, siege and destruction continue for the 47th day; 5 martyrs and a number of injuries; medical and humanitarian situation in continuous deterioration.
*** Recent developments
The city of Daraya was awakened by the noise of Assad’s warplanes bombing the city. During the three raids by Sukhoi fighters, cluster bombs and missiles were dropped on residential neighbourhoods in the city centre.
Alongside the raids, and for the 43rd day in a row, battles continued between the FSA and Assad forces who are planning to storm Daraya and wreak havoc in the city.
A military convoy made up from tanks, armoured vehicles, and troop carriers headed towards Daraya after leaving Al-Mazzeh military airport via Daraya Arch Road. Another convoy coming from Daraa highway moved towards Almaamil Road. The two convoys were preceded by intense shelling using tanks and 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.
Daraya Martyrs Battalion was able to repel the attacks showing great valour. Despite the great difference in power, the FSA destroyed one tank and inflicted great losses on the Assad gangs. A number of ambulances was seen leaving Daraya towards Damascus in a frantic rush.
Other battles were fought intermittently along the southern front, especially in evening. The FSA forced the Assad gangs to retreat after suffering great losses.
Alongside the battles, artillery, tanks and land-to-land rocket launchers continued to shell the city’s neighbourhoods for a 46th consecutive day with different levels of force. The shelling is part of Assad’s policy to destroy the revolting cities.
A number of detainees, who were originally displaced Daraya residents, have been released after being arrested on the checkpoints surrounding the city or in the towns where they are seeking refuge.
*** Medical Situation
5 people were killed today and 20 others were injured by the aerial and missile shelling, including 12 in a critical situation and 7 in need of surgical operations.
Both the medical team and the patients are suffering due to lack of a secure location in which they can be safe from indiscriminate shelling. The situation is made worse by the increasing number of casualties, many of whom are received in different critical situations requiring surgery. The city lacks a properly equipped medical theatre where treatment can be carried out. As a result, the injured are currently being operated upon using primitive equipment.
***Today’s martyrs
1. Qutaiba Dakko
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=191961280928384&set=a.178694942255018.13781.178176988973480&type=1&relevant_count=1
2. Jumaa Suroor
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=191947084263137&set=a.178694942255018.13781.178176988973480&type=1&relevant_count=1
3. Ali Alameer
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=191946467596532&set=a.178694942255018.13781.178176988973480&type=1&relevant_count=1
4. Feras Ahmad Fatta
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=191944927596686&set=a.178694942255018.13781.178176988973480&type=1&relevant_count=1
5. Tariq Sareim, by systematic shelling
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=191883580936154&set=a.178694942255018.13781.178176988973480&type=1&relevant_count=1
*** Humanitarian situation
The humanitarian situation is increasingly getting worse for the people of Daraya, whether they are still inside or displaced outside the city.
Around 10,000 people have been under siege inside the city for 50 days in a complete power cut and total blocking of medical and food supplies.
More than 200,000 displaced people are still suffering the hard living conditions associated with displacement in several areas in Damascus and Damascus Countryside. Most of them suffer under the cold weather, lack of food, blankets and the basic necessities of life. Many of them live in uninhabitable places. The cold weather and lack of medical supplies causes the spread of winter diseases especially among children.
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
- Daraya Martyrs Battalion, damaging a tank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh7FyI4yFu4
- Important for media, several MiG air raids during which cluster bombs were dropped
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jrdOo2Ckww
- Important for media, a video of a surface-to-surface missile from the moment of its launch in Al-Mazzeh military airport to the moment it hits Daraya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzKbZsTjkug
- Important, Massive destruction in civilian homes caused by rocket launchers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN5toWB54l8
- Important, Assad’s snipers and machineguns shoot at the cameraman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiNO8PpqIZ0
- Touching video, treatment of a person with appalling leg injury 18+
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H40bNuHHM5
- The demonstrations of defiance continue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-6TED9866U
- Photo Album, Massive destruction in civilians homes caused by Assad’s army shelling of the city Part 1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.191905774267268.15468.178176988973480&type=1
- Photo Album, Massive destruction in civilians homes caused by Assad’s army shelling of the city Part 2
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.191915714266274.15469.178176988973480&type=1
- Photo Album, Massive destruction in civilians homes caused by Assad’s army shelling of the city Part 3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.191939420930570.15472.178176988973480&type=1