Syria Update, November 19, 2012 (Institute of Middle Eastern, Islamic and Strategic Studies. By Sherifa Zuhur)
Early death toll: 102 killed today, of these 30 civilians.
Sunday’s death toll: at least 83 were killed including 40 civilians
Defection: A diplomatic attaché, Houda Ourfali, at Syria’s embassy in China announced her defection, saying she can no longer represent a “bloody and illegitimate regime.”
Aleppo province: The regiment 46 base of Assad’s military finally fell to the opposition after two months of fighting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1sruMU301Zk
A sniper killed a civilian in Halab al-Jadida and the Syrian military shelled the Sukkari neighborhood killing one.
Several hardline groups say they will not adhere to the Qatar agreement, will not recognize the National Coalition, and they want to establish an Islamic state and will not recognize foreign agendas. No-one knows exactly how many fighters are in Nusra Front, the Tawhid Brigade or Ahrar al-Sham (the three groups) but their numbers are believed to be minimal compared to the broader opposition within Syria.
In Atareb, the opposition are taking over ammunition in a Syrian military outpost they have taken: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmv-YxwAz-k&feature=player_embedded
The Syrian military carried out raids on the town of al-Safira and killed 7 persons.
Damascus province: 3 civilians were killed and more than 10 others were injured by the rebel IED attack targeting a civilian minibus that works the (Damascus-Qudseyya Masakin al-Haras) line near Mashru` Dummar. Two units of Ansar al-Islam and Jund Allah said they have seized the Air Defense Battalion base near Hajar al-Aswad after the last four days of fighting. 1 man from Yarmouk was killed int the Mezzeh area. The Syrian military killed one man in al-Qabun. Extremely heavy shelling caused civilians in Harasta to flee.
The opposition assassinated the governor of the al-Nabk area, Abdullah al-Dar’awi and 4 police officers. Security forces carried out raids in the area after this.
The Syrian military shelled Duma, killing 10 civilians and Daraya, Bebila, Jisreen, al-Maliha and the eastern Ghouta. Clashes in the town of al-Buwaida resulted in the deaths of 5 opposition fighters. The Syrian military killed one opposition fighter in Tadamun.
Dar`a province: The Syrian military shelled the town of Soura, killing one. An unidentified body was discovered near Namer.
Deir az-Zur province: A sniper shot Ayham al-Shuwayla in the Mu’athafin neighborhood of Deir az-Zur.
First Lieutenant Ismael Musa al-Taya of the FSA was killed in clashes in the al-Omal neighborhood of Deir az-Zur.
Civilians were killed yesterday in a gas pipeline explosion in the al-Tabiya area.
Homs province: In the south of the country and on the Lebanese border, the opposition’s tactics are covered in this report by the Christian Science Monitor
The Syrian military shelled the town of al-Rastan causing casualties today.
Idlib province: The Syrian military killed 7 civilians in shelling on Abu al-Zuhur. A sniper killed one person in Jisr al-Shughour. The Syrian military shelled Heish, killing one person, and shelled Ma’arshamsha, killing one opposition fighter. Violent clashes took place at Ma`arat al-Nu`man, controlled by the opposition for several weeks. The Syrian military bombarded it by air. The opposition shot down a helicopter and destroyed two tanks in the city of Ma`arat al-Nu`man today.
Hassake province: A sniper from the opposition forces assassinated Abed Khalil, the president of a Kurdish popular council in Ra’s al-`Ain today. 6 opposition fighters were killed in clashes with the Kurdish popular defense units. The Ghurba’ al-Sham battalion was involved.
Latakia province: 8 rebel fighters and 4 regular soldiers were killed by clashes in the villages in Jabal al-Turkman. Shelling on the town of Salma killed 2 men. The FSA destroyed an Assad outpost near Jabal Qastal in Latakia.
Refugees: Jordan is preparing a third camp for Syrian refugees in Ramtha. http://jordantimes.com/jordan-prepares-for-third-syrian-camp-amid-rising-refugee-influx
International: The European Union’s 27 foreign ministers have recognized the National Coalition of the Syrian Revolution and Opposition formed on 11 November as the “legitimate representatives’ of the Syrian people.
Italy has recognized the National Coalition as the legitimate representatives of the Syrian people.
Cunayt Unal was turned over to Turkish authorities on Saturday. Cunal, a journalist who worked for the U.S.-funded al-Hurra television channel, went missing with Jordanian colleague Bashar Fahmi shortly after crossing into Syria from Turkey on August 20. He was captured by government troops.
Germany’s defense minister, Thomas de Maiziere said that Germany expsts Turkey to formally request the placement of NATO missiles on its borders. Earlier it was reported this would occur on Monday. Patriot missiles may be requested. Only Germany and the Netherlands have Patriot missiles.
The new National Coalition of the Syrian Revolution and Opposition announced that it will be based in Egypt.
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