Daraya: Local Council of Daraya City
Media Centre – Daily Report
Jan 25, 2013
Headlines: Fierce battles on all fronts; FSA destroys a tank and destroys another; Shelling continues using rockets, artillery and tank fire; new massacre against civilians with 7 martyrs and a dozens of injuries; horrible medical and humanitarian situation
*** Recent developments
For the 73rd day in a row, Assad’s forces have continued their attempts to control the city of Daraya.
Massive reinforcements have been sent to support the regime’s forces. Dozens of tanks and armoured vehicles as well as over 3,000 fighters were sent to Daraya from Al-Mazzeh airport. Grad and SS missiles, heavy artillery and tank fire were also used in order to destroy what remains of civilian homes.
Assad’s forces targeted a civilian car with a tank shell leading to the driver’s immediate death.
Assad’s forces continue to dynamite and demolish houses in Alkhaleej area which is adjacent to Al-Mazzeh airport in an attempt to secure it by sacrificing civilian blood and demolishing civilian homes.
Daraya lost more of its citizens as 7 people were killed in yet another massacre perpetrated by Assad’s gangs using Grad and SS missiles as well as tank shelling.
*** Military situation – Daraya Martyrs Battalion report
A large number of tanks, BMP vehicles, DShK vehicles and troop carriers headed towards Daraya as the city underwent fierce rocket and artillery shelling.
Battles broke out along the eastern, western and northern fronts. The most atrocious battles were fought in Alkholani Area, the Cooperative Store and the Jamiaat area. FSA fighter were able to destroy a tank and kill tens of soldiers. A tank was damaged in Alkholani area where the enemy’s advance was stopped. Other battles broke out on the Martyrs Street where FSA fighters repelled the attack despite the ruthless attack. Attempts to advance towards Liberty Square were also thwarted.
Intermittent clashes broke out along the eastern front and the southern and western fronts.
In the evening, most of the reinforcements withdrew to Al-Mazzeh military airport except for tanks and BMP vehicles which were deployed near the city’s eastern checkpoint (Sabbara) after the whole area was razed and turned into a military barrack.
*** Today’s martyrs
A new massacre was perpetrated today by Assad’s forces resulting in 6 martyrs who were killed by artillery and rockets shelling on civilian homes. They also targeted a civilian car with a tank shell which caused the immediate death of the driver. Thus, the total number of deaths today has reached seven in addition to a large number of injuries.
1. Muhammad Shafeeq Abuzaid
2. Redha Abu Hussein
3. Abdu Abu Suleiman
4. Alaa Abu Mahmoud
5. Muhammad Abu Haitham
6. Muhammad Abu Khalid
7. Unidentified man, mutilated body
*** Medical Situation
14 injured victims including children and more than 3 surgical operations.
The field hospital received today 11 civilian victims injured by the incessant shelling by missiles and artillery, most of whom were in critical conditions including women and children amid a dire lack of medical supplies. A number of surgical operations were performed including one bone fixation in the leg, one abdominal surgery and one bone fixation in the arm. The victims were rescued and given the necessary treatment and medication.
*** Humanitarian situation
The humanitarian situation is increasingly getting worse for the people of Daraya, whether they are still inside or displaced outside the city, especially in the current freezing conditions.
Around 10,000 people have been under siege inside the city for over 70 days in complete power cut and total blocking of medical, fuel 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 homes around Alabrar prayer room
• A number of soldiers including a sniper hiding inside homes around Alsamh Mosque
• A number of soldiers including a sniper hiding inside homes around Alkholani Mosque
• A number of soldiers including a sniper hiding inside Alshariea Secondary School
• 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
Destroying a tank by the FSA fighters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vljapydLfGQ
Tank targets civilian car and kills its driver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn1EKrTwZW0
Massive destruction in residential neighbourhoods caused by military airstrikes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVrthtgYWLY
A song for Daraya is played as smoke billows and a shell hits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mivXX6TUR1c
Farewell to martyrs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsVbCcQiNxU
Photo Album of martyrs
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.199735060151006.16127.178176988973480
Bodies of Assad’s thugs and fighters after fierce battles in Daraya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU74y4XsGAM