Daraya: Local Council of Daraya City
Daily News Roundup: Field, Medical and Humanitarian Situation in Daraya, Damascus
24 April 2013
***Headlines***
Fierce clashes continue; regime tank damaged; extremely violent shelling; SSM shelling; Jet fighters carry out raids against the city; 1 martyr and several injuries; first baby born in Daraya since the start of the siege 6 months ago
*** Recent developments on the ground***
Regime forces have continued with their campaign against Daraya for a consecutive 163rd day. The last week has witnessed a major escalation in offensives on the southern and western fronts along with storming attempts. Apart from the daily reinforcements that head towards the city from Al-Mazzeh airport, massive military build-up along these two fronts has been recorded over the past few days.
Intermittent clashes broke out along the western front and around Sukaina Shrine (south of city centre). the fiercest clashes were fought on the southern front where fighters from Usood Al-Sunna Battalion of Shuhada Al Islam Brigade were able to damage a tank in the area near Sahnaya and Ashrafiya.
Checkpoints and military barracks surrounding Daraya launched a violent rocket and artillery attack against the city simultaneously with air force raids that targeted the western area with thermobaric (vacuum) bombs. Four SSM also hit the southern area.
Fallen hero Bassam Abu Usama joined the ranks of martyrs today as he died while fighting to defend his homeland and honour in Daraya.
*** Humanitarian situation***
We would like to draw attention to the suffering of the displaced Darayans. More than 200,000 displaced people live in neighbouring towns and face unimaginable difficulties under siege and shelling. People remaining inside Daraya are facing a far greater threat under siege and total absence of the basic necessities of life. Despite the horror, today witnessed the birth of the first baby born in Daraya under the current siege which started more than 6 months ago.
Photo of the baby: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=220386794752499
*** Medical Centre Report***
The medical team continues to provide all possible help to rescue and treat injured victims whether civilians or FSA fighters despite the extreme shortage in medical staff, equipment and material.
The field hospital received today a number of injured victims. The victims were rescued and given the necessary treatment and medication.
***A selection of HD videos covering the developments in Daraya ***
24/03/2013 Daraya shortly before and during rocket launcher shelling since early morning HD
https://youtu.be/y2F42Z6fNZM
24/03/2013 Military air force raids HD
https://youtu.be/dD4XpzoKgyQ
24/03/2013 City being hit by rocket launchers HD
https://youtu.be/9bxqZA0tE58
24/03/2013 Rocket launcher attacks in the early morning HD
https://youtu.be/M_OUeSKkr1M
24/03/2013 results of jetfighter bombing HD
https://youtu.be/Q4kU7ReUnV4
24/03/2013 Civilian homes set ablaze by indiscriminate shelling HD
https://youtu.be/nRiwEsxPrrk
24/03/2013 Smoke billowing from burning residential blocks HD
https://youtu.be/9w9zsk3VXZQ
24/03/2013 Smoke caused by air shelling HD
https://youtu.be/L2gh4F1xIzg
24/03/2013 Residential blocks shelled causing massive destruction HD
https://youtu.be/CMcPeaMK6xo
Russian TV station, Abkhazia, shows members of Assad’s militias trying to rescue an injured fighter as they make their escape
https://youtu.be/CwiVnDOO4LA
Photo of the city under violent shelling
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=220377151420130
*** Shuhada Al Islam Brigade ***
Promotional video for Operation Muhannad Abu Usama carried out by Daraya Martyrs Battalion in cooperation with the Special Task Battalion and the Engineering Battalion of Shuhada Al Islam Brigade. The operation, carried out on 27/03/2013, included storming and clearing several buildings occupied by Assad’s gangs and it led to heavy casualties among Assad’s ranks
https://youtu.be/qFkqmQP7I4M
Homemade heavy gun mounted on a tractor
https://youtu.be/gqBnCvJ295Q
A Shabiha checkpoint it attacked on one of the fronts
https://youtu.be/IWgPcYGUE4w
Shuhada Al-Thawra Battalion in action
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=262F7C6R14s
