Daraya: Local Council of Daraya City
Daily News Roundup: Field, Medical and Humanitarian Situation in Daraya, Damascus
04 March 2013
Headlines: Assad’s forces attempt to re-seize control of the city and
the FSA repels the attack and damages a tank; artillery and rocket
shelling continues for the 112th day causing casualties and destruction
in buildings; more homes demolished near Al-Mazzeh airport; horrible
medical and humanitarian situation
***Recent developments***
Barbaric shelling has continued for the 112th day. The city has been
targeted with rocket launchers, heavy artillery and tanks. The shelling
was fierce in the morning and intermittent in the afternoon. 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 and their orchards. Aljamiaat area, Liberty
Square and Thawra Street also witnessed shelling that varied between
fierce and intermittent.
Shelling civilian homes resulted in a
number of injuries and more destruction and fire. Assad’s forces have
also continued to demolish homes in the areas near Al-Mazzeh airport in
order to prevent the FSA from advancing on the airport. This morning the
city was shaken by a number of explosions and clouds of smoke were seen
over the area.
*** Military report from Daraya Martyrs Battalion***
Assad’s forces have continued with their attempts to seize control of the city for the third month in a row.
A military convoy moved towards the city from Al-Mazzeh airport
supported by 5 tanks, 4 BMP vehicles, a number of DShK vehicles, and a
number of troop-carrying coaches.
Intermittent clashes broke out
this morning resulting in a damaged regime tank and a number of regime
POWs. During the day, cautious calm was interrupted by skirmishes every
now and then.
FSA fighters succeeded in infiltrating a building used
by Assad’s soldiers after dismantling explosives planted around the
building, causing many casualties. The FSA also targeted Shabiha
gathering places around the city by mortar shells achieving direct hits.
*** Medical Centre Report***
As the battle for Daraya
continues, and as the remaining civilians suffer from indiscriminate
shelling, the field hospital continues to do its duty towards this great
nation providing urgent medical care for civilians and FSA fighters
alike. Today the hospital received 4 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. Amidst 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 112 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***
A tank hit by the FSA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQJKCrNub3I
FSA fighters arrest two Assad fighters during battle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-20ErtJEeKY
FSA shelling Shabiha gathering places by mortar
https://youtu.be/tvIaxvjPDd4
Assad’s tanks shelling indiscriminately at buildings
https://youtu.be/Mw0KVzbXNhw
Clouds of black smoke over Daraya in the aftermath of shelling
https://youtu.be/mxC8Q_VZgu4
Destruction in neighbourhoods and buildings caused by systematic shelling
Part 1
https://youtu.be/hJayGymQvxM
Part 2
https://youtu.be/_5Hki4pSBDs
Part 3
https://youtu.be/kcyeCD5mx8Y
