Daraya: #Local_Council_of_Daraya_City
#Daily_News_Roundup: Field, Medical and Humanitarian Situation in #Daraya, Damascus
26/10/2013
***Headlines***
Attempts to break the siege continue by clearing more than 20 buildings and killing a number of regime fighters; violent rocket and artillery shelling; helicopter overflights; 12-month-long siege continues causing acute shortages in all necessities of life
*** Recent developments on the ground***
Anti-government fighters launched a joint operation in which they attacked regime points in the south-eastern area of Daraya. The operation aimed at reaching the Damascus-Daraa highway and breaking the long siege against Daraya. Despite violent shelling, the fighters managed to advance in the vicinity of Fatima Mosque, 800 metres from the highway, and they cleared about 20 buildings from regime fighters. Dozens of regime fighters were killed and injured including at least one officer.
The people inside the city are still suffering from the lack of life necessities caused by the siege.
The city has been sporadically shelled today by artillery on Muaddamiya Mountains and tanks along Daraa Highway. The shelling targeted the western and eastern areas as helicopters conducted overflights. The south-eastern front was the scene of violent clashes as regime forces attempted to reclaim control over the points they lost earlier. The rest of the fronts witnessed sporadic fighting and sniper operations.
***Humanitarian Situation***
The city has been suffering recently from extremely low supplies including food and other necessities.
The majority of families under siege are surviving on spinach and similar herbs as well as little rice. Fuel has completely run out and wood is being used for cooking and heating. Daily shelling and injuries add to the already bad medical situation amid low supplies of basic medicines (painkillers and antibiotics) as well as medicine for chronic diseases like diabetes and blood pressure.
Over the last month, the relief department started a new rations programme in which the kitchen started distributing meals to civilians and fighters once every two days instead of twice a day.
***Videos***
Operation Breaking the Siege: first storming groups with covering fire
https://youtu.be/14nr-yIDntU

Operation Breaking the Siege: weapon preparation and canvassing regime locations
https://youtu.be/qB_vxbWtcCk

Operation Breaking the Siege: The first storming group breaks in and canvasses regime locations
https://youtu.be/O3Y5V798wKo

Operation Breaking the Siege: cover fire by FSA
https://youtu.be/AsPrmqeiTGQ

Operation Breaking the Siege: Tanks targeted and storming groups advance
https://youtu.be/apLOS5TVjQ4

Operation Breaking the Siege: violent clashes and FSA advances despite the shelling
https://youtu.be/ltK5diN04Lo

Operation Breaking the Siege: canvassing regime locations using homemade bombs and cannons
https://youtu.be/UPFIG5rM5J0

Operation Breaking the Siege: storming regime locations and fierce battles ensue
https://youtu.be/j2RirbW8usI

Operation Breaking the Siege: targeting regime locations using Bakr 1 Guns and homemade grenades
https://youtu.be/uA0lH7q92-M

Statement about the operation
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=635769903111997