Daraya: Local Council of Daraya City
Daily News Roundup: Field, Medical and Humanitarian Situation in Daraya, Damascus
03 March 2013
Headlines: Clashes continue as Assad’s forces attempt to re-seize
control of the city and the FSA resist; Brutal artillery and rocket
shelling continues for the 111th day causing casualties and destruction
in buildings; more homes demolished near Al-Mazzeh airport; horrible
medical and humanitarian situation
*** Military report from Daraya Martyrs Battalion***
This morning was no different to the past three months as it saw new attempts by the regime to seize control of the city.
A military reinforcement convoy moved towards the city from Al-Mazzeh
airport supported by 4 tanks, 3 BMP vehicles, a number of DShK vehicles,
and a number of troop-carrying coaches.
Fierce clashes broke out
along several fronts especially around Liberty Square (city centre) and
Sukaina Shrine (south). Clashes were accompanied by indiscriminate
shelling by the tanks attempting hopelessly to break through the ranks
of the FSA.
Clashes continued till sunset when most vehicles withdrew to the eastern entrance checkpoint and to Al-Mazzeh airport.
***Recent developments***
Assad’s forces have continued to demolish homes in the areas near
Al-Mazzeh airport and Sabbara checkpoint facign Daraya. In the areas of
Alkhallej, Almahayni and Almuaallem, houses are being planted with
explosives, blown up, and then bulldozed after being looted. The
residents of these areas were forced to leave as a result of
indiscriminate shelling before these areas were stormed two months ago.
Barbaric shelling has continued for the 110th day. The shelling had varying degrees of intensity but it never stopped.
The city has been targeted today with rocket launchers, heavy artillery
and tanks. The shelling originated in Combat Companies, Presidential
Guard, Fourth Division and Al-Mazzeh airport, and it targeted many areas
in the city especially the western and southern areas as well as the
city centre.
*** Medical Centre Report***
Amid the shelling and
on-going clashes in the city, the field hospital received today 7
victims including civilians injured by the barbaric shelling, as well as
FSA fighters injured in action. Most of the cases were in medium to
critical conditions. Two surgical operations were performed. Amid a dire
lack of medical supplies, 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.
Around 10,000 people have been under siege inside the city for
over 111 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.
Infiltrating Assad gangs are located in these areas (monitoring and follow-up units)
• A number of soldiers including a sniper in Liberty Square
• A number of soldiers including a sniper near Alsamh Mosque
• A number of soldiers including a sniper around Alkholani Mosque
• A number of soldiers including a sniper around Alnakkashat area and the police station
• A number of soldiers including a sniper around Alshamiat
• A number of soldiers including a sniper hiding inside homes near the Graveyard and Municipality square
• Along Sahnaya –Jedaideh Road which runs alongside Daraya
• Aldahadeel Road between Hammam Alqishani and Alsalam Mosque
• Snipers spread in the vicinity the above areas targeting any moving body.
***Media Centre: Links to videos documenting part of the events***
Buildings collapsing due to SSM shelling
https://youtu.be/N2pkVR_JHVI
Houses burning due to incessant shelling
https://youtu.be/ndgeimlw0Ec
Videographer targeted by tanks
https://youtu.be/0ebj-UwCwDk
Neighbourhoods and buildings destroyed by systematic shelling part 1
https://youtu.be/hJayGymQvxM
