Syrian Troops Kill Several Foreign Terrorists in Idlib

Source  :  Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army said it has killed a large number of 'foreign terrorists' in the Northwestern governorate of Idlib.

On Friday, the army said it killed many Jabhat al-Nusra-linked militants in Maaret al-Numan in Idlib and seized their weapons, the official SANA news agency reported.

A unit of the Syrian Army also killed many militants in the villages of al-Amoudiyeh and Heesh in the governorate.

Abdul-Razzaq Omar al-Zouzo, leader of the Khattab Battalion, Abdul-Hamid Hikmat al-Badawi, leader of the Al-Tawhid Brigade, and Abo al-Saad, leader of the Al- Khadraa Battalion were identified among the dead.

Government troops also destroyed a missile launching base in Ma'r Shamshi village of Idlib and "eliminated a large number of terrorists".

Syrian government forces also launched attacks against militants in the governorates of Damascus, Aleppo, Hama, and Lattakia on Friday and killed a large number of them.

In addition, the Syrian armed forces captured many machine guns, sniper rifles, rocket launchers, hand-made rockets, mortar shells, and anti-tank missiles.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against the Syrian police, border guards, statesmen, army and the civilians being reported across the country.

Thousands of people have been killed since terrorist and armed groups turned protest rallies into armed clashes.

The government blames outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups for the deaths, stressing that the unrest is being orchestrated from abroad.

Syrian president appeals for help to solve crisis

Source  :  Xinhua

DAMASCUS, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday appealed to BRICS countries to help his unrest-stricken country restore security and stability.

In a letter to those countries, Assad asked them to work together to stop Syria's two-year-long bloody conflict and facilitate a political solution.

Al-Assad also urged the five nations to exert all possible efforts to alleviate the Syrian people's sufferings caused by the "unjust and illegal" economic sanctions.

The appeal came a day after the Arab League, which suspended Syria's membership in November 2011, granted the long-vacant seat to the West-backed Syrian opposition, the National Coalition, and called on all countries to back it with all means, including military ones.

The Syrian government rejected the pan-Arab body's move, warning it would have "dangerous" repercussions on the AL's future and the Arab national security as it would cause more bloodshed and encourage "terrorism and terrorists."

The government also said it would "hinder the genuine efforts" exerted by caring countries and parties to "find out a political solution based on dialogue among the Syrians."

BRICS countries, which group five emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, have just concluded their fifth summit in South African city of Durban.

The Syrian conflict, which began in March 2011, has killed more than 60,000 people and displaced more than 3 million, including some 1.1 million fleeing to neighboring countries.

NGO: Warplanes strike rebel posts in Damascus

Source  : Maan News Agency

BEIRUT (AFP) -- Syrian warplanes launched two strikes on Qaboon in northeastern Damascus on Wednesday, as rebels fighting President Bashar Assad's regime seized three army posts near the ceasefire line with Israel, a watchdog said.

"Two air strikes were carried out on rebel-held buildings in Qaboon," said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, adding that violence in Damascus has risen after insurgents seized control of Jobar district in the city's east.

"There is now fighting in Tadamun, Assali, Yarmuk, Qadam and Qaboon districts," Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP of outlying neighbourhoods of the capital that have previously seen intermittent violence.

Elsewhere, rebels seized three small army positions in Quneitra province in southern Syria near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, said the watchdog.

In the central city of Homs, the army pressed its campaign against rebel enclaves, pounding the district of Khaldiyeh in the heart of the city, the Observatory added.

Wednesday's violence comes a day after at least 127 people were killed in violence across Syria, the watchdog said -- 47 civilians, 55 rebels and 25 soldiers.

The United Nations says that more than 70,000 people have been killed in Syria's conflict, which erupted in 2011 after an anti-regime revolt morphed into an insurgency when the army unleashed a brutal crackdown against dissent.

Algerian Foreign Ministry: Algeria Sends Humanitarian Aids to Syria

Source  :  SANA

ALGIERS, (SANA) - Spokesman for Algerian ministry of foreign affairs Ammar Balani announced that Algeria decided to send humanitarian aids to Syria.

Balani said that Algeria decided to send the first batch of humanitarian aid through Algerian red crescent directly to Syrian red crescent via Beirut airport, pointing out that these aids would be shipped on board cargo aircraft of Algeria, over three flights containing 40ton of food , medicine and blankets.

Balani stressed that these aids were in solidarity with the Syrian people.

B.Mousa / Mazen

Syrian gov't pledges to stabilize pound amid market's fear

Source  :   Xinhua

DAMASCUS, March 25 (Xinhua) -- The governor of the Central Bank of Syria (CBS) on Monday promised of new and imminent measures to stabilize the Syrian pound against U.S. dollar amid fear on the black ma an interview with the Syrian TV earlier Monday, Adib Mayaleh confirmed that the fierce war against Syria is behind the decline of the Syrian pound exchange rate against the U.S. dollar, adding that the rise of dollar in the last week came as a result of excessive speculation.

Last week, the dollar exchange rate against the Syrian pound broke the record, reaching 125 pounds for one dollar. However, it later fell by 13 pounds.

The exchange rate is still fluctuating on the black market with traders giving various prices ranging between 105 to 113 pounds for one dollar.

Before the sudden surge, the dollar sold for 94 pounds on the black market.

This skyrocketing rise, since the beginning of the crisis, has raised concerns among people, especially since it led to an increase in the prices of various items in the markets.

The CBS manages the price through constant regulatory intervention so as to stabilize the Syrian pound and fend off speculative attacks. It has repeatedly pumped big amount of foreign currency to reduce the run on dollar and thus save the pound's value.

The dollar had first hit record levels in February 2012, when it was traded at 108 pounds, prompting the CBS to pump large amounts of dollars in the market, and succeeded in bringing back the exchange rate to the limits of 70 pounds.

Many specialists in monetary affairs considered the rise in the dollar exchange rate as fake due to speculation and some other security and psychological factors.

The central bank promised to take a series of measures to maintain the stability of the pound and prosecute traffickers in the national economy.

Despite the lack of information about the upcoming measures by the CBS to curb the rise in the dollar exchange rate, the market entered a state of fear, with anticipation that the measures will take effect as of Tuesday.

The governor clarified that the CBS continues to meet the needs of national economy by providing foreign currency for imports and non-commercial operations, such as medical care and study, adding that the CBS will issue certificates of deposit with high interest to restore the purchasing power to the Syrian pound.

He hailed Syria's growing relations with Iran, as Tehran has granted Damascus with a credit line of 1 billion dollars, noting that this is enough to support the Syrian pound.

"I'll bet that the price will return to normal," Mayaleh said.

Roadside bomb rips through car in Syrian capital

Source  :  Xinhua

DAMASCUS, March 25 (Xinhua) -- An explosive device affixed under a car went off in a district of the Syrian capital on Monday evening, leaving unspecified number of people killed or injured, pro-government Sham FM radio reported.

The car went off in Damascus' district of Halbouni, the report said, adding that all of the car's occupiers were killed. The report, however, stopped short of giving a death toll.

Blasts and mortar attacks have become daily routine in Syria recently, notably in Damascus.

Earlier in the day, one person was killed and many more injured when two mortars struck the Umayyad Square and adjacent street in central Damascus.

Multiple mortars slam central Damascus, causing injuries

Source  : Xinhua

DAMASCUS, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Multiple mortar shells fired by Syrian armed rebels landed Sunday near the state TV's office building and Sheraton Hotel in the heart of the capital Damascus causing injuries and material damages, witnesses told Xinhua.

According to Xinhua reporter at the scene, thick clouds of smoke permeated the area and heavy security forces were deployed in the streets, cutting off all routes leading to the Umayyad Square, where the state TV's office building is located.

Witnesses told Xinhua that two mortars, allegedly launched from al-Qusour area in the south, landed in the main yard of Sheraton Hotel, where UN-Arab League Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahim is staying.

They added another mortar slammed a street close to a highway, where two cars flipped over afte they hit the sidewalk steered by startled drivers.

Meanwhile, another mortar landed in the al-Qusour area in southern Damascus, local media said.

The rebels have recently stepped up mortar attacks in an attempt to destroy major military and governmental sites in Damascus.

Meanwhile, the pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the rebels bombarded the main hospital in the Damascus suburb of Harasta, which they claimed had been turned into a regular force center.

The Observatory also said five family members, including two children, were killed by the government forces' bombardment on the town of Beit Sahm near the road to the airport of Damascus.
Our

Leaders of Several Terrorist Groups Killed in Syria by Army Units

Source  :  Fars News Agency

An official source told the Syrian Arab News Agency that all members of a terrorist group affiliated to the so-called "Al-Islam Brigade" were killed and injured at al-Burj roundabout in Douma.

The source added that an army unit destroyed two cars equipped with heavy machineguns in new Adra and its surrounding and eliminated members of a terrorist group affiliated to Jabhat al-Nusra.

Leader of the group Abo Talha was identified among the dead.

The source also mentioned that a unit of the armed forces clashed with terrorist groups which were committing acts of loot in the surrounding of Tibeh Mosque, al-Manashir roundabout and the sport hall in Adra, killing and injuring several of their members.

Terrorist groups' leaders Ayman al-Zanar and Fadi Marjan were identified among the dead, according to the source.

An official source told SANA that scores of terrorists were killed in the area of al-Otaiba in Damascus Countryside, adding that terrorists Hassan Dabbas, Malek Othman and Ammar al-Kurdi were identified among the dead.

The source said that an army unit pursued and killed 4 terrorist snipers in Daraya city near al-Furn Roundabout and 2 machineguns shooters near al-Sayyeda Sukayna area in the city.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against the Syrian police, border guards, statesmen, army and the civilians being reported across the country.

Thousands of people have been killed since terrorist and armed groups turned protest rallies into armed clashes.

The government blames outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups for the deaths, stressing that the unrest is being orchestrated from abroad.

In October 2011, calm was almost restored in most parts of the Arab state after President Assad started a reform initiative in the country, but Israel, the US and its Arab allies brought the country into chaos through every possible means. Tel Aviv, Washington and some Arab capitals have been staging various plots in the hope of increasing unrests in Syria.

The US daily, Washington Post, reported in May, 2012 that the Syrian rebels and terrorist groups battling Assad's government have received significantly more and better weapons in recent weeks, a crime paid for by the Persian Gulf Arab states and coordinated by the United States.

The newspaper, quoting opposition activists and US and foreign officials, reported that Obama administration officials emphasized the administration has expanded contacts with opposition military forces to provide the Persian Gulf nations with assessments of rebel credibility and command-and-control infrastructure.

According to the report, material is being stockpiled in Damascus, in Idlib near the Turkish border and in Zabadani on the Lebanese border.

Opposition activists who several months ago said the rebels were running out of ammunition said in May that the flow of weapons - most bought on the black market in neighboring countries or from elements of the Syrian military in the past - has significantly increased after a decision by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Persian Gulf states to provide millions of dollars in funding each month.

Tunisian Newspaper: 2000 Tunisians Are Fighting in Syria

Source   : islamicinvitationturkey.

The Tunisian e-newspaper ‘Al-Jarida’ revealed that around 2000 Tunisians are fighting among the armed terrorist groups in Syria.

Abo Qusai, a Tunisian who fought in Syria, told the newspaper that the Tunisian fighters are of various ages and include students, workers and jobless people.

Abo Qusai revealed that there is a direct line through which those terrorists go to Syria which is that of Libya/Benghazi.

He referred to a terrorist group called ‘al-Darneh Battalions’ which arrived in Syria from Libya two weeks before he fled Syria.

The Tunisian terrorist said that he and his Tunisian colleagues are being treated as slaves by the armed terrorist groups in which ranks they are fighting, which made him flee Syria and return to Tunisia.

Tartus will remain the supportive point for Russian vessels-Russia Military source

شبكة عاجل الإخبارية

Military diplomatic source announces in an agreement have done in bilateral talks with the Lebanese side about the possibility of enter of the Russian Navy ships to the port of Beirut, But the Syrian Port Tartus will remain the military and the technical supportive point for these vessels

The source says that “an agreement took place between Russia and Lebanon about the possibility of interring the Russian War ships to Beirut’s port for work purposes".

The source adds that the visit of the Russian port of Beirut has become possible thanks to the agreements that have been reached in advance, noting that the Russian ship visits will never be free

At the same time, the source emphasizes that “we do not mean by this agreement to abandon of the center of the material and the technical supportive port “Tartus” or to look for new point in the Mediterranean Sea for the stationing the Russian vessels”, stressing that Tartus will remain the point of stationing the Russian Navy ships.

Suicide Attack at Damascus Mosque Kills Senior Cleric, Dozens Others

Source : http://www.almanar.com.lb/

Senior Syrian cleric Dr. Mohammad Saeed Ramadan al-Bouti was martyred Thursday in terrorist suicide attack at the Iman Mosque in Mazraa in Damascus.

At least 42 people were also martyred in the attack, and dozens others were hurt, Syrian state media reported.

Sheikh Bouti was martyred while he was giving a religious lesson to religion students in the Iman Mosque.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights earlier said at least 15 people were killed in the attack in addition to Bouti, with dozens more wounded at the mosque in Mazraa, a district just north of the city centre.

The official Al-Ikhbariya television station aired gruesome footage from inside the mosque, where dozens of corpses, body parts and some copies of Quran were strewn on the carpeted floor.

Al-Bouti's Biography (SANA)

Martyr scholar al-Bouti was born in 1929. He accomplished his Sharia Baccalaureate certificate at the Islamic Tawjih Institute in Damascus.

In 1953, he joined al-Sharia Academy at al-Azhar University and acquired the global certificate in 1955, then he got a diploma in education in the same year.

He was appointed as a teacher in Al- Sharia Academy at Damascus university in 1960, then he was delegated to al-Azhar university to get the doctorate in the Islamic Sharia Originals and got it in 1965.

In 1965, he was nominated as a professor in al-Sharia Academy at Damascus University in 1965, then a dean and chairman of the religions sector at the University.

In 2012 he was nominated as President of the Levant Scholars' Union.

Member of the Higher Council of Oxford Academy.

He wrote more than 40 books in the sciences of Sharia, literature, philosophy, society and civilization.

Syrian Army controls the main line of arms’ smuggling in al-Oteibeh

شبكة عاجل الإخبارية

Syrian Arab Amy units entered al-Oteibeh area of Damascus countryside and have carried out many wide intensive military operations targeting dozens of strongholds, which resulted in killing and wounding tens of insurgents.

Breaking News Network reporter, who accompanied the Army units while entering the area has said that Army units has controlled the main line of transporting and smuggling the weapons and the gunmen, which feeds Damascus.

Our correspondent pointed out that large quantities of arms, ammunition, wheel drive vehicles, and heavy machine guns have been confiscated, including a number of headquarters which have been raided in the region, while 9 armed men have been killed at al-Doghmeisheh Bridge, as killing and wounding tens of insurgents amid al- Oteibeh and were known of them Fadel Nayfeh, Ali Mas’oud, and Nour al-Din al- .Sa’ed

Russia Says Has Information Armed Groups Carried out Aleppo Chemical Attack

Source :

Russia said it had information proving that armed groups fighting against the Syrian government had used chemical weapons in an attack on a village in the northern city of Aleppo in which 25 civilians were killed.

"A case of the use of chemical weapons by the armed opposition was recorded early in the morning of March 19 in Aleppo province," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement shortly after the attack.

According to Syria’s official news agency SANA, at least 25 people were killed and many others injured after terrorists fired missiles containing "poisonous gases" into Aleppo’s Khan al-Assal village on Tuesday. Most of the casualties were women and children.

"We are very seriously concerned by the fact that weapons of mass destruction are falling into the hands of the rebels, which further worsens the situation in Syria and elevates the confrontation in the country to a new level," the Russian statement said.

Syria's Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi described the terrorists' use of chemical weapons as the "first act" by the so-called opposition interim government.

He also said that Turkey and Qatar, which support militants fighting against the government of President Bashar al-Assad, bore "legal, moral and political responsibility" for the chemical attack in the northern city of Aleppo. The attack comes hours after Syria's opposition National Coalition elected Ghassan Hitto, a former US-based IT executive, as prime minister for what it called an interim government.

Foreign-backed militants, who had threatened to use chemical weapons against the army government forces and Assad supporters a few months ago, have denied using chemical weapons and accused government forces of being behind the attack.

Witnesses report onset of chemical warfare in Syria

Source : DEBKAfile

Extensive preparations by Syrian army units for launching chemical weapons against rebel forces have been sighted in the northern town of Homs, Western intelligence agencies told debkafile’s military sources Tuesday, March 19.

Damascus paved the way for resorting to unconventional weaponry with an accusation run by the state news agency SANA Tuesday that Syrian rebels had fired a rocket containing chemical substances in the Khan al-Assad area of rural Aleppo, allegedly killing 15 people, mostly civilians.

Rebels quickly denied the report and accused regime forces of “firing a chemical weapon on a long-range SCUD, after which 20 people died of asphyxia and poisoning.”

Neither of the accusations could immediately verified.

But a Reuters photographer said he had seen people come into two Aleppo hospitals with breathing problems after the attack. They claimed people were suffocating on the streets.

Western intelligence sources reckoned that for the Assad regime, Homs, the scene of fierce battles between government and rebel forces in recent days, is likely to be the first place where the Assad government resorts to chemical warfare. A rebel victory there would be a grave setback for the regime because it would sever the main highway linking the Syrian military forces fighting in the towns of Damascus, Latakia, Aleppo and Idlib.

Monday and Tuesday, therefore, heavy government reinforcements from the South and Damascus were piled onto the embattled town, along with large numbers of warplanes and attack helicopters, in an all-out effort to cut short the rebel advance.

debkafile’s military sources report that the importance Assad attaches to carrying the day in Homs is represented by the elite units he has assembled in and around the city: Heavy armored forces of the 4th and 5th Republican Guard Divisions were imported from Damascus and the 18th and 19th Divisions are there too, issued in the last few hours with chemical warfare gear.

Syrian ruler Bashar Assad can on no account afford to be defeated in the key town of Homs just when US President Barack Obama is scheduled to arrive in the Middle East Wednesday. He will therefore use whatever it takes to prevent this happening, even chemical weapons if they are the only answer.

The allegation that the rebels have resorted to chemical warfare strongly points to an Assad ploy to go there himself and maintain it was only after the opposition went first. The emergence of dread unconventional weapons on the Syrian battlefield during the US president’s stay in the region is bound to dominate his talks with its leaders. It may even have the effect of altering his schedule and affect his itinerary.

Interview: Syrian economy still "acceptable" after 2 years of crisis: head of Syria's largest bank

Source : Xinhua

DAMASCUS, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The head of the Commercial Bank of Syria (CBS), the largest bank in the country, said in a recent interview with Xinhua that "after two years of war in Syria and after this complicated crisis, I think the economy is still acceptable."

"I am totally satisfied with the results we have reached after two years of war... Because we don't have debt in the past, our economy is still good," Ahmed Diab said, raising prospects that the country would bypass this crisis very soon.

The prolonged crisis in Syria has had very bad effect on the country's economy and caused losses totaled, according to recent economic reports, at 220 billion U.S. dollars.

Some of world countries have showered Syria with non-stop economic sanctions to throttle the Syrian government and speed up its collapse. The banking sector was the main target by those sanctions despite the government's hectic efforts to keep it vital.

Diab admitted that the sanctions have some effects on the banks which are facing "some problems in making transfer."

However, he added: "Depending on our long experience, we could succeed in making all kinds of business for the public sector and most of the business also for the private sector."

"We got used to the sanctions and even the Syrian people got used to these difficulties and sanctions," he went on saying.

The Syrian pound has lost 50 percent of its value and prices of almost all commodities and food stuff have either doubled or tripled.

Last year, the CBS espoused the policy of interference to maintain a stable price for the pound in exchange for the dollar. It has succeeded in the past, but within the past three months, the pound sharply decreased and the bank's efforts were of no avail and couldn't stop further depreciation.

One U.S. dollar is sold in the black market at 106 pounds, the highest figure over the past two years. Shortly before the crisis, the dollar stood at 46 pounds.

Diab, however, confirmed that the Central Bank is still moving on with the policy of interference.

Diab said that what happened in Syria is worse than what happened in Iraq or other countries, but "If we compared (our economy) with other economies that experienced the same conditions and circumstances that we faced in Syria, I think we are in a good condition... Their economies collapsed very quickly."

"The priority for the government and the Central Bank of Syria is to keep a good price for the pound and to protect it," he said.

"We are working to fix the price of the Syrian pound. We have had the same price for the pound in exchange for the dollar for two months," he continued.

Diab said that the CBS, which was found in 1968 after the nationalization of private banks, has deposits of about 324 billion Syrian pounds (in Syrian pounds and foreign currency).

Assad calls upon BRICS countries to intervene in Syrian conflict

Source : Vesti Kavkaza

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad calls upon the countries of the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and the South Africa) to intervene in the ongoing conflict between the regime and the rebel forces. Al-Assad's official letter has been sent to the President of the Republic of South Africa, Jacob Zuma.The issue will probably be discussed at the BRICS summit scheduled for March 26.

Syria denies declaration of general mobilization

Source : APA

Baku-APA. Syria's state media on Tuesday rubbished as unfounded media reports that the Syrian army has declared a state of general mobilization, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

While denying the reports of general alert circulating on some anti-Syrian government Arab TVs, the state TV said "joining the military service is a sacred duty."

"Our valiant troops are on the highest readiness and ability to defend the security of the homeland and citizens from terrorism," according to a statement carried out by the state TV.

The controversy about a possible declaration of general mobilization has started since Friday, when Syria's prominent Sheikh Said Ramadan al-Bouti called on the country's grand Mufti to declare the general alert.

On Sunday, Syria's Supreme Iftaa Council, the highest clergy council in the country, issued a statement calling on the Syrian public to support the Syrian army and the youth to join the service to defend the country, the heritage and religion from what the statement branded as the enemies wanting to rip the country in pieces.

The state media clarified in its statement that the Iftaa Council's statement was about the regular obligatory service not mobilization.

Earlier in the day, the pro-government al-Watan newspaper cited sources as saying that the Syrian army "is so well," noting however that the citizens should start to take part in defending their areas.

"The Syrian army has enough manpower and equipment for many years to come in the war to defend Syria," the source was cited by the paper as saying, stressing, however, that "this doesn't mean that Syrians should only be confined to watch the news of battles without taking part each according to his ability."

While the idea of general mobilization does not seem sound in the midst of the conflict that has been ripping Syria apart, such move needs to be announced by the president himself to take effect.

Such an idea has come as the Syrian troops have become stretched out in urban battles in several cities as part of the war of attrition that the West-backed rebels have been waging.

Armed local committees have also been formed over the past months from local people who want to defend their areas against possible rebels' attacks. Yet, most of those committees were set up in areas of minorities who fear the threat of the radical Sunni rebels, particularly with the rising of al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front that has become the striking rebel force against the government troops.

A recent UN report has warned that the conflict in Syria "is becoming more sectarian," a claim which is totally rejected by the Syrian government.

Fiercest clashes yet reported at the Lebanese-Syrian border crossings

Source : LBCI News

Syrian President Bashar Assad "is not bluffing" about his determination to stay in power, Russia's foreign minister said in comments broadcast Friday, as negotiations to free 21 U.N. peacekeepers held by Syrian rebels dragged into a third day.

This as a convoy of U.N. vehicles sent to pick up 21 peacekeepers held by Syrian rebels in the southern village of Jamla arrived at a neighboring village but is not able to reach their location due to shelling in the area, a rebel spokesman said.

Abu Essam Taseel said three Syrian army tanks and two military cars had pulled back from around Jamla but President Bashar al-Assad's forces were still deployed around it and bombarding the region.

The spokesman for the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, Raul Hernandez, said the rebels had been expected to free the peacekeepers early Friday.

Syrian rebels added that no talks were underway to free the men and gave no indication that they would be released soon.

"To our family, we hope to see you soon and we are OK here," said a peacekeeper shown in one video. He was one of three troops dressed in camouflage and blue bullet-proof vests emblazoned with the words U.N. and Philippines.

However, a rebel spokesman seemed to suggest the hostages were also serving as human shields. If the U.N. troops are released and leave the area, the regime could kill "as many as 1,000 people," said the spokesman, who spoke via Skype and did not give his name for fear of reprisals.

Syrian newspaper accuses Qatar and Israel of ordering peacekeepers' abduction

On another note, the Syrian Daily Tishreen considered on Friday that abductors of the peacekeepers received orders from Qatar and Israel to carry out the kidnapping.

The Daily added that the armed group is backed by Western and Arab states which are encouraging the bloodshed in Syria.

On the Ground

Fierce clashes were not only limited to Syria's south but were also reported on the Lebanese-Syrian border crossings.

Meanwhile in Homs, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Assad's forces have bombarded opposition-held neighborhoods.

This as, opposition rebels clashed with the Syrian army and controlled parts of Aleppo city near Al Oumawi mosque.

The Syrian army retaliated by bombarding the Al Atareb, Al Bab and Andan regions on Thursday overnight.

Moscow: The US Interprets Geneva Statement Unilaterally to Support Syrian Opposition

Source : SANA

MOSCOW, (SANA)- Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman criticized the public statements made by U.S. officials in support of the Syrian opposition, saying the US support to the opposition indicates one- sided interpretation of Geneva Statement.

"The public statements of the U.S. administration representatives that are supportive of the 'The Syrian Coalition' and the Syrian opposition conclusively indicate a one-sided interpretation of Geneva Statement," said Alexander Lukashevich in a comment published on the Ministry's website on Tuesday.

"This makes it more difficult to find means to end the confrontation in Syria soon and shift the conflict into the course of a comprehensive Syrian national dialogue," he added.

Lukashevich referred to "new inappropriate statements" made by the US State Department spokesperson, Victoria Nuland, in a press conference on Monday on what she said are "interpretations" of the Geneva Statement terms.

The Russian diplomat stressed that the Geneva understandings are "a consensus text" that leaves no room for any "interpretations" or personal explanations.

Lukashevich reiterated Russia's efforts, in its contacts with the Syrian government, the opposition and influential countries including the US, to implement what was agreed upon in Geneva with no intention to look for new interpretations.

He affirmed that the Geneva Statement, adopted last summer by all essential external players including the US, clearly proposed the mission to move the conflict in Syria to a peaceful course through negotiations between the government and opposition.

H. S

Syrian troops, rebels battle over Aleppo airport

Source : LBCI News

Syrian activists said Tuesday that fighting has intensified as government troops and rebels battle for control of the international airport in the northern city of Aleppo and nearby army bases.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that clashes erupted anew around the airport's facility. The rebels have been trying to seize the strategic facility for weeks, overrunning checkpoints and capturing a smaller military base that provides military protection for the airbase.

The Observatory, added that rebels have also intensified their assault on the Nairab and Mannagh air bases near the Aleppo airport, as well as on an airfield nearby known as Kweires.

Earlier, the Syrian “Al-Watan Daily” stressed that the Syrian army is capable of continuing the “war defending the country" for several years, noting that the call launched by the Syrian Fatwa Council on the people to stand by the army aims at encouraging them to defend their land instead of just “keeping up with the news of the battles”.

The newspaper said that the Fatwa or edict council urged people to participate in defending "their country and honor, because Syria is being invaded from all fronts.”

The daily quoted sources close to the Syrian army as saying that the army is “fine”, as the soldiers have been fighting, for two years, the fiercest battles in the name of the Syrian people.

On the humanitarian file, Russia sent on Tuesday a new aircraft loaded with more than 10 tons of aid including blankets and food to the affected Syrian people.

Separately, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry confirmed that a Ukrainian journalist who was kidnapped in Syria is free after more than 150 days in captivity.

Ministry spokesman Yevhen Perebiynis said the reporter, Ankhar Kochneva, was expected to contact the Ukrainian embassy in Damascus later in the day.

Kochneva, who has written for Syrian and Russian newspapers, was kidnapped in western Syria on Oct. 9 and reportedly held by members of the Free Syrian Army opposition group. Perebiynis said he had no further information on her.

The Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda quoted Kochneva as saying she walked away from the house where she was held, skirted a rebel guardpost and then walked about 15 kilometers (9 miles) through fields until finding a villager who helped her.

According to the newspaper, Kochneva said she was abducted near the city of Homs while riding in a taxi to Damascus.

The abductors released a video in which Kochneva said she was working as a Russian agent, but the newspaper quoted her as saying the recording was made under duress.

"They forced me to say that I came to Syria on the instruction of Russian spies. They forced me with threats. I refused at first, but they said 'then we'll kill you'," she said.

Army continues fighting terrorists everyplace

Source : syriatimes

PROVINCES,(ST)_Armed forces press ahead on fighting foreign-backed terrorists groups in several provinces to restore stability and security across Syria.

Today (Monday), the armed forces destroyed many terrorists' hideouts and weapons in different locations in countryside of Damascus, Homs, Idleb, and Der Ezzour.

A lot of terrorists, who were inside the hideouts, were killed, SANA reported.

Moreover, fierce clashes broken out between armed forces and terrorists in Khan al-Asal area ( in Aleppo province), Bab Amre and Bab-Hod areas (in Homs), JoretHawaa (in Hama)and Daraa countryside.

The Syrian Arab Army's heroes killed and injured a lot of terrorists during the clashes.

Furthermore, a 40-meter tunnel was discovered by the armed forces in Bab Hod alley (in Homs).

The tunnel was used by terrorists to smuggle weapons to kill Syrian citizens and army forces.

In the same alley, engineering units dismantled several explosive devices planted by the terrorists in homes. Daraa telephone center burnt

Yesterday, terrorist groups attackedthe five-floor telephone center in Daraa al-Balad (in Daraa province) and burnt it causing a serious material damaged estimated SP 900 million.

"The attack caused cut of telecommunications and internet in the area as all equipment and towers were completely destroyed," SANA said, adding that rehabilitation of the center will take few months.

On the other hand, the terrorist groups also looted equipment of the United Nation Emergency forces (UNEFIL) in Daraa Province.

The terrorist groups, who perpetrate criminal acts against citizens all over Syria and destroy infrastructure, are being supported by Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, France, Britain, and the US.

Report: Saudi Spy Agency Funds al-Nusra Terrorists in Syria

Source : Islamic Invitation Turkey

The Saudi intelligence agency has provided financial support for the terrorist al-Qaeda-linked group of al-Nusra Front in Syria, a report said.

Citing foreign intelligence sources, the Intelligence Online Newsletter said Saudi Arabia’s General Intelligence Presidency (GIP), which is led by Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, took advantage of its communications with terrorists in Iraq to help establish al-Nusra Front, press tv reported.

“Thanks to funding from the General Intelligence Presidency and support from the Saudi intelligence in Lebanon, al-Nusra was able to swiftly arm its forces,” the report stated.

The Intelligence Online Newsletter also confirmed Saudi confidential documents indicating that the Saudi Interior Ministry had sent a military official into Syria in line with Riyadh’s plans to provide the militants with money and weapons.

The crisis began in Syria in mid-March 2011. Many people, including large numbers of Syrian security forces, have been killed in the turmoil. Several international human rights organizations say the militant groups have committed war crimes.

The Syrian government says the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country.

On March 6, a commander of the terrorist Free Syrian Army issued a request for more arms and ammunition from the western countries to further assist the militants in Syria.

No conditions for dialogue – Syrian NCC coordinator abroad

Source :   Strategic-Culture

Conditions for the dialogue between the opposition and the Syrian government have not been created, Syrian National Coordination Committee coordinator abroad Heisam Manaa told Itar-Tass.

“I believe that conditions for starting the dialogue with the government have not been created on the present stage,” Manaa said on Saturday.

“We cannot really reach progress what we name ceasing violence and searching for the political solution to form a transitional governing body,” the Syrian NCC coordinator said.

Representatives of the Syrian National Coordination Committee (NCC) intend to meet with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry, particularly with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, in Moscow on March 11, he said.

Upon his arrival in Moscow on Saturday, Manaa said, “We intend to discuss the recent events in Syria. We discuss what we name the political solution for Syria. We want to know Syria’s position by taking into account the fact that the delegation of the Syrian Foreign Ministry visited Russia last month.”

Answering a question if the delegation brought any new ideas on the political settlement in Syria, he replied in the affirmative. “Now we’ve met in Paris to make public a declaration entitled the Democratic Civil Alliance. This is the roadmap of our group. Different structures of the opposition worked on it,” Manaa said.

Commenting on the unification of the internal and external oppositions to start the dialogue with the government, the NCC coordinator said, “Yes, but not all. There are extremists whom we call Lords of War. They want no talks.”

“We talked about elections and personalities. We did not talk about the principle of the division of powers,” Manaa said. “We should give priority to the very important issue – how to isolate discussions on the future of the presidential system.” “If we have a parliamentary republic, a prime minister will have all powers,” the NCC coordinator stressed.

 

Syria’s Jaafari Says Israel Facilitated UN Peacekeepers Abduction

Source : http://www.almanar.com.lb

Syrian ambassador at the United Nations, Bashar al-Jaafari, accused the Zionist entity of cooperating with the armed group that abducted 21 UN peacekeepers in the Golan Heights earlier this week.

"Israel facilitated entry of Salafist elements into the buffer zone between Israel and Syria in Golan, which is considered a violation of the 1974 treaty signed between the two sides, Jaafari told reporters on Friday.

"Israel wanted to repeat what it had done in south Lebanon in 1970s when they created an isolating area and appointed a Lebanese officer to fight for them". "For achieving such aim, peacekeepers should be evacuated from Golan," he added.

“Two weeks ago, seven terrorist from the same armed group that took the Filipino contingent staffers hostage where also rescued by the Israelis through the separation line, treated in Israeli hospitals and returned at an undisclosed place on the line of separation, according to the Israeli official statement.” he said.

“So that proves to itself that the Israelis are cooperating with these armed groups and terrorist groups.”

Jaafari also dismissed the notion that Assad government operations were endangering the hostages or impeding their release.

“We know what we are doing and we know where the peacekeepers are. Our task is to rescue these peacekeepers and safeguard their lives.”

21 UN peacekeepers of the Filippino nationalities were seized by rebels Wednesday near the armistice. But they crossed to freedom in Jordan on Saturday.

Syrian army foiled foreign conspiracies

Source : Islamic Invitation Turkey

Iranian lawmaker Mohammad-Saleh Jokar says the Syrian army has managed to neutralize the barrage of foreign conspiracies against the Arab country.

“Syrian military achievements in the past 24 months show that the Damascus army is still well-organized,” member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee said on Sunday.

The lawmaker added that Syrian military achievements against militants show that Western countries and some Arab states have failed to implement new scenarios against Damascus and spread the Syrian crisis.

“Countless terrorists from around the world enter Syria every day to overthrow the [Bashar al-]Assad’s government, but the well-organized Syrian army has prevented the success [of their plots],” the Iranian lawmaker continued.

The Syrian crisis began in March 2011, and many people, including large numbers of army and security personnel, have lost their lives in the unrest.

The Syrian government says the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants are foreign nationals.

Damascus blames the West and its regional allies Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey for supporting the armed groups.

In addition, several international human rights organizations have accused the militants fighting the Syrian government of committing war crimes.

Syria jets pound city captured by rebels

Source :  thenews.com.pk

BEIRUT: Syrian fighter jets on Thursday pounded Raqa, a day after rebels took full control of the northern city, a watchdog said, raising concern for the fate of loyalists who surrendered.

The flag of the Islamist Al-Nusra Front, which led the rebel assault on Raqa, flew on the building housing the city's former feared military intelligence branch, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The rebels are believed to be holding the provincial governor, whom they captured during the battle, inside the building, which has now become their headquarters, the Britain-based Observatory said.

The rebels fought off the last pockets of regime resistance and took control of the military intelligence building on Wednesday after overrunning most of Raqa, capital of the province of the same name, two days earlier.

The capture of Raqa, near the border with Turkey, marked the rebels' biggest victory on the ground since the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad's rule erupted in March 2011.

The Observatory said "hundreds" of pro-regime-regime militiamen had surrendered to the rebels, adding that it feared for their fate.

Rights groups have accused regime forces and rebels alike of perpetrating atrocities against those they take prisoner.

Also on Thursday, the army rained shells down on the rebel-held Khaldiyeh district of the central city of Homs, the Observatory said.

The bombardment came a day after the army used helicopters, warplanes and rocket fire to strike Khaldiyeh.

Although the army now controls some 80 percent of Homs, several districts remain under rebel control despite a suffocating eight-month siege and several hundred civilians are trapped there.

The United Nations says at least 70,000 people have been killed since the outbreak of the uprising in Syria.

A Message from President al-Assad to Indian PM…Indian FM: Solution in Syria by Syrians

Source : SANA

NEW DELHI, (SANA)_President Bashar al-Assad sent a letter to the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, conveyed on Wednesday by Presidential Political and Media Advisor, Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban to the Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid in New Delhi.

The Indian FM stressed India's rejection of foreign interference in the Syrian domestic affairs as ''foreign interference is unacceptable and is bound for failure.''

He underlined necessity that "the solution in Syria come from the Syrians themselves,'' stressing the need for an immediate halt to violence and backing the Syrian's government's efforts for finding a peaceful exit route from the current crisis.

He expressed India's concerns over the escalation of violence in Syria and the innocent victims there. Khurshid said New Delhi has backed a peaceful solution and the plan of the former UN envoy to Syria,Kofi Annan and Geneva statement, indicating that its position remains unchanged in backing these efforts at international forums based on India's conviction that ''the situation in Syria will have dire consequences on the neighboring countries and the world.''

Dr. Shaaban thanked India for its support to a political solution in Syria away from foreign meddling as to preserve the interests of the Syrian people and Syria's unity.

Shaaban hailed India's leading role at international forums which is based on the international law and the sovereignty of states, calling for crowing this role with a decision submitted to the BRICS Group that helps intensify efforts for dialogue in Syria.

Shaaban highlighted the fierce media campaign against Syria that aims to serve the goals of certain countries as a pretext for foreign military intervention, pointing to the dangers of extremist religious movements that tarnish Islam through using fatwas that give the green light for the bloodshed in Syria.

Dr. Shaaban also discussed with the Indian State Minister of External Affairs the developments in Syria and the proposed solutions for the crisis and stemming Syrian bloodshed.

Dr. Shaaban's India visit is one leg of a BRICS countries' tour.

Syrian soldiers kill militant leaders

Source : Tehran Times

On Sunday, Syrian troops repelled a militant attack on a military checkpoint in the Muhardeh district of the western province of Hama, Syria’s official news agency SANA reported.

A local militant leader of the terrorist group Jabhat al-Nusra, identified as Suhaib Hassan al-Najeb, was killed in the process, SANA said.

Unrest has gripped Syria for nearly two years, and many people, including large numbers of security forces, have been killed in the turmoil.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said that the government did not start the conflict and the militant groups were the ones killing Syrian citizens and destroying the country’s infrastructure.

On Sunday, a unit of the Syrian army also killed dozens of militants in the Palmyra district of Homs. Mansour bin Mufdi bin Mohammad al-Khaledi, a local and non-Syrian militant commander of the Jabhat al-Nusra group, was among the slain militants. Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011. Damascus says outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorists are the driving factor behind the unrest and deadly violence while the opposition accuses the security forces of being behind the killings.

Western states have been calling for Assad to step down. However, Russia and China are strongly opposed to the Western drive to oust Assad.

The Syrian government says that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the armed militants are foreign nationals, mostly from Egypt, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia.

Battles for control over Syria's al-Raqqa city continue, U. S. speaks of "greater guarantees" about arming rebels

Source :  Xinhua

DAMASCUS, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Ferocious battles continued Tuesday between the government troops and armed rebels trying to take full control over the northeastern city of al-Raqqa, as the U. S. Secretary of State John Kerry claimed that the vast majority of weapons sent by regional countries to the rebels are falling in the hands of the moderate rebels, not the radicals.

The Syrian army targeted the positions of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front in al-Raqqa, state TV reported, adding that the armed militias have attacked public and private properties in the city.

Meanwhile, pro-government Sham FM radio said that large numbers of al-Raqqa residents fled to Deir al-Zour and other Syrian cities, adding that the governor of Deir al-Zour ordered all the competent parties in the city to receive the displaced people and provide them with all they need.

The pro-opposition Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Syrian air force carried out two air raids Tuesday that hit the state intelligence branch in the city after the rebels captured it.

It also said violent clashes took place between government forces and rebel fighters around the ammunition depots in the northern part of al-Raqqa on Tuesday, adding that it has received news that rebel fighters had taken control of the depots.

The observatory also claimed that the rebel fighters fired RPGs at the ruling Baath headquarters in the city.

In the meantime, U.S.'s Kerry said Tuesday in Qatar that the U. S. administration has become more confident that the weapons that are being sent to the rebels in Syria by regional countries, such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, are falling in the hands of the moderate rebels, not the radical members.

After holding discussions with Qatari officials on Tuesday, Kerry told reporters at a joint conference with Qatar's Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim that "there are greater guarantees now that the weapons are being transferred directly into the moderate Syrian opposition."

"We did discuss the question of the ability to try to guarantee that it is (weapons) going to the right people and the moderate Syrian Opposition Coalition, and I think it's really in the last months that that has developed as a capacity that we have greater confidence in," he said, adding that, however, "you can't guarantee that one weapon or another may not fall in that kind of a situation into the hands that you don't want it to."

Kerry's remarks came to deepen the conviction about the role of regional countries such as Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in fanning the flames of the conflict in Syria by rendering arms to the rebels, whose ranks have been overwhelmed with jihadist fighters, some of whom are foreigners.

Paradoxically, Washington has rejected to send arms to the rebels in Syria out of fear that they might fall in the "wrong hands," while it is OK for them to nod at the help that regional countries have been sending to the rebels over the past two years of crisis.

Syrian troops, rebels fight "ferocious battles" in al-Raqqa: report

Source :   Xinhua

DAMASCUS, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian troops are fighting " ferocious battles" with armed groups in the northeastern city of al-Raqqa after thousands of rebels poured into the city the previous day, pro-government al-Watan daily said Tuesday.

The armed men have stormed the city from different directions amid reports that intense fighting is currently ongoing there, al- Watan said, adding that the al-Raqqa was one of the safest places in Syria before the rebels' attack.

After the attack, the paper said, the armed men looted houses and government establishment in the city.

On Monday, activists said that the Nusra Front, an offshoot of al-Qaida, stormed large swathes of al-Raqqa, adding that they also took control over several government-owned institutions.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights posted a video footage on its Facebook page showing a number of government troops taken captive by the armed groups in the city.

It also said Governor of al-Raqqa Hasan Jalili and local head of the ruling Baath party Sulaiman al-Sulaiman were taken captives by the rebels after intense clashes at the governor palace.

The Observatory said that several pro-government people in al- Raqqa had formed an militia to repulse the armed groups' offense on the city.

Other media reports said that the Syrian war jets have pounded several rebel positions in the city, adding that army reinforcements are on their way.

Violence has intensified in Syria recently in what observers described as the escalation before the anticipated pacification after the international community declared support to a political solution to Syria's long-standing conflict.

A recent UN tally placed the overall death toll of Syria's two- year-old conflict at more than 70,000 people.

Syria opposition says captures eastern city of Raqqa

Source : Maan News Agen

AMMAN (Reuters) -- Syrian opposition fighters captured the northeastern city of Raqqa on Monday and crowds toppled a statue of President Bashar Assad's father, opposition sources and a resident said.

If confirmed, the fall of the provincial capital on the Euphrates River 160 km east of Aleppo would make it the first major city taken by the opposition since a revolt against Assad broke out two years ago.

"The city of Raqqa has fallen," Mustafa Nawaf al-Ali of the Syrian National Council told Reuters.

He said mostly Islamist brigades, including the al Qaeda-linked al-Nusra front, Ahrar al-Sham and the Sunni Hawks entered Raqqa after overrunning an army position at its northern entrance.

Nawaf al-Ali said Assad's troops and militia loyal to him escaped west towards Aleppo and east towards the province of Deir al-Zor, but loyalist forces dug in at the provincial airport, 60 km from Raqqa, remained a threat.

A resident also said the city had fallen and said a Syrian military intelligence compound in the city center was surrounded by rebels. He added that crowds had pulled down a statue of President Assad's father in the main square nearby.

Video footage showed a crowd stepping on the large white stone statue in the central square.

The Syrian National Council, a large bloc within the umbrella Syrian National Coalition, said the capture of Raqqa would prove "a decisive victory in the struggle for the downfall of the criminal Assad regime and to salvage Syria from the ugliest epoch in its history."

In a statement, the council said that with the fall of Raqqa a link was established between vast areas that fell to the opposition in the oil-producing east of the country and rebel-held regions in the northern Aleppo and Idlib provinces.

Syrian Army Kills 94 Terrorists in Reef Idlib

Source : Fars News Agency

The army units targeted and destroyed the terrorists' hideouts and killed 82 terrorists, including several snipers, in different parts of Reef (outskirts of) Idlib today.

The Syrian forces targeted and destroyed an arms depot in Jebel al-Zawiya town in Reef Idlib, killing 12 armed rebels.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against the Syrian police, border guards, statesmen, army and the civilians being reported across the country.

Thousands of people have been killed since terrorist and armed groups turned protest rallies into armed clashes.

The government blames outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups for the deaths, stressing that the unrest is being orchestrated from abroad.

In October 2011, calm was almost restored in most parts of the Arab state after President Assad started a reform initiative in the country, but Israel, the US and its Arab allies brought the country into chaos through every possible means. Tel Aviv, Washington and some Arab capitals have been staging various plots in the hope of increasing unrests in Syria.

Solidarity Events in Russia, India in Support of Syria

Source : Islamic Invitation Turkey

The Syrian community and students in Russia, with the participation of Russian citizens organized a stand on Sunday in solidarity with motherland, Syria.

The stand was organized by the National Union of Syrian Students, in coordination with the Syrian community and the Russian Anti-Globalization Organization.

The participants expressed support for the political program for solving the crisis in Syria, renewing denunciation of terrorism and the global war waged on Syria.

The participants denounced the distortion of facts about the Syrian events by media outlets and their fabrication of lies to destabilize the country and sow discord among the Syrians.

They held the US, western countries, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar responsible for the bloodshed in Syria and undermining stability there and the vandalism of the Syrian economy.

The National Union branch stressed in a statement support to the Syrian people and leadership, voicing trust in Syria’s inevitable victory, and the ability of the Syrians to crush Zionist and imperialist projects.

The Syrian community in Russia expressed trust in an imminent victory over the conspiracy targeting Syria, which seeks to end Syria’s role in supporting Arab resistance.

The community also expressed pride in the Syrian leadership and trust in the Syrian people who spare no sacrifice in defending the homeland.

The Russian participants said that they joined the stand to back the Syrian leadership, people and army in the face of the aggression that has been on for two years.

Syrian Students in India Organize Symposium in Solidarity with Homeland

The National Union of Syrian Students branch in New Delhi organized a symposium in solidarity with Syria, with the participation of Indian figures and representatives of Indian parties and organizations.

The participants shed light on the events unfolding in Syria and the global war waged on the Syrian people.

The National Union of Syrian Students-India branch expressed in a statement support to Syria and its leadership, saluting the Syrian Arab army who is offering the dearest of sacrifices for protecting the homeland and citizens.

The Union called upon the Syrian people to stand united in the face of the flagrant terrorist aggressions, expressing deep condolences to the families of martyrs.

The Union voiced trust that the Syrian people will conquer conspiracies and aggression on Syria, indicating that victory is inevitable.

Syria’s ambassador to India, Riyad Abbas, said in a speech that Syria is facing a global war “to undermine the state that is standing in the face of US and Zionist hegemony,” stressing that Syria is bound to come out stronger due to the unity of the Syrian people and their support for their leadership and army.

The Indian participants also expressed support to Syria and conviction that the only solution to the crisis is the peaceful one, away from foreign dictates and military interve

Instructors from US special forces train armed rebels in Syria - Sana

Source : Voice of Russia

Instructors from US special forces are training armed opposition groups that are fighting against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s state-run news agency Sana reported on Sunday.

The US commandos are training rebels from the so-called Free Syrian Army in camps located on the territory of Jordan, according to Sana.

The training program started in late 2012 in a base located on a private territory in the northern suburbs of the Jordanian capital of Amman. Apart from the US instructors, the Syrian militants are also receiving training from French and British commandos, Sana reported.

The US military also make raids into Syria from Jordan and Lebanon for reconnaissance purposes and for preparing terrorist operations in support of Syrian rebels, Sana reported, referring to the French newspaper Figaro.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Assad accused the British government of arming and supporting terrorists in Syria. He also said he had doubts that Europe really wanted peace in Syria.

The Syria events will have disastrous consequences for the entire Middle East, Assad warned.

Syria has been locked in an increasingly bloody civil war since demonstrations broke out against President Assad in March 2011. According to UN estimates, at least 70,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

Western states have been calling for Assad to step down. However, Russia and Iran insist that President Assad's exit cannot be a precondition for a deal to resolve the country’s crisis.

Voice of Russia, RIA

Assad says he "can't think of living outside Syria

Source : Xinhua

DAMASCUS, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has stressed that his departure will not stop the fighting in Syria, adding that it's "nonsense" to suggest that the conflict in the country is about the president and his future.

Assad made his remarks during an interview with the British Sunday Times published on Sunday, during which he described himself as a patriotic Syrian that can't think of living outside his country.

"No patriotic person will think about living outside his country. I am like any other patriotic Syrians," Assad said when asked if he would leave to improve the prospects for peace.

He stressed that it was nonsense to suggest that the conflict was about the president and his future, saying that "Clearly this is absurd, and recent precedents in Libya, Yemen and Egypt bear witness to this."

The embattled leader made the remarks as some superpowers have renewed their calls on him to step down.

Last week, newly appointed U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that he was drafting diplomatic proposals to persuade al- Assad to give up power.

Kerry did not detail any potential offers or arguments to Assad, but hinted that his upcoming visit destinations will be Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia where he wants to talk with allies about ways to "ease Assad out."

However, and during his recent interview, Assad accused Kerry of wasting time by trying to ease him out of power, noting that his leadership was an internal matter.

"Any Syrian subject wouldn't be raised with any foreigners. We only discuss it with Syrians within Syria so I am not going to discuss it with anyone who is coming from abroad," Assad stressed.

Assad elaborated that "we have friends, we listen to their advice but at the end, it's our decision as Syrians to make what's good for our country."

Meanwhile, Assad slammed the British government's recent stance toward Syria, especially after recent statements about Britain's desire to arm the Syrian rebels, branding London government as " naive, confused, unrealistic" because it has been trying to end an EU arms embargo so that the rebels could be supplied with weapons.

He said that such a move could further inflame the conflict on ground, adding that "the problem with this government is that their shallow and immature rhetoric only highlights this tradition of bullying and hegemony..."

In regard of the opposition, Assad adopted a conciliatory tone and renewed invitations to the opposition parties to join in a national dialogue, according the Sunday Times.

"We are ready to negotiate with anyone, including militants who surrender their arms," he said, adding that "we are not going to deal with terrorists who are determined to carry weapons, to terrorize people, to kill civilians, to attack public places or private enterprise and to destroy the country."

"We have opposition that are political entities and we have armed terrorists. We can engage in dialogue with the opposition, but we cannot engage in dialogue with terrorists. We fight terrorism," he stressed.

Security Restored to International Highways, Scientific Research Centers and Aleppo Airport

Source :  SANA

ALEPPO, (SANA)- The General Command of the Army and the Armed Forces on Saturday declared the villages along international highways as secure areas.

The Command said in a statement that the Army members carried out "special operations", in cooperation with the residents, in which they restored security and stability to the villages located along international highways.

These villages include Salamiya, Athria, Khanaser, al-Mazra'a, Rasm al-Naqel, Oum Amoud Sgheir, Oum Amoud, Jneid, Qubtin, Khreirish, Jalagheem, al-Sfeireh, Bashkoui, Tal Abour, Turkan, Tal Shgheib, al- Nayrab and Mukhayam al-Nayrab.

Security was also restored to the Defense Factories Establishment, Scientific Research Centers and Aleppo International Airport, the statement added.

"This achievement came in continuation of the efforts to eliminate the rest of the terrorists and mercenaries in those areas," the General Command said in its statement.

The achievement, the statement added, also came "in confirmation of our Armed Forces' determination to go ahead with carrying out their sacred national duty in confronting the acts of killing and aggression against our people and homeland."

The General Command pointed out that the Army units immediately embarked on providing humanitarian aid to the citizens affected by the criminal acts of the terrorist groups and helping the displaced residents return to their homes.

While conveying the news of the Army's victories, the General Command reiterated its call upon "all the Syrians who were misled to go back on the track as there is still a chance for laying down arms and go back to the homeland's lap which embraces all its people."

H. Said

Syrian President Assad Blasts British Government

  RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, March 3 (RIA Novosti) - The British government is “shallow and immature” and has for centuries played an “unconstructive” role in the Middle East, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in an interview with the Sunday Times.

“To be frank, Britain has played famously in our region an unconstructive role in different issues, for decades, some say for centuries,” Assad said. “How can we expect to ask Britain to play a role while it's determined to militarize the problem?”

He ruled out any suggestions that Britain could help resolve the ongoing conflict in Syria, saying “We do not expect an arsonist to be a firefighter.”

“How can you ask them to play a role in making the situation better, more stable, how can we expect them to make the violence less when they want to send the military supply to the terrorist?” he added.

Syria has been locked in an increasingly bloody civil war since demonstrations broke out against President Assad in March 2011. According to UN estimates, at least 70,000 people have been kille in the conflict.

Western states have been calling for Assad to step down. However, Russia and Iran insist that President Assad's exit cann be a precondition for a deal to resolve the country’s crisis.

Syrian army liberates Aleppo Hama highway

Source : Voice of Russia

The Syrian army has liberated the highway between the cities of Hama and Aleppo. As a result of military operations the threat of attacks on Aleppo International Airport and the Air Force Base in Neirab, as well as a defense industry factory in Sfeir has been eliminated.

Military reinforcements are redeployed along the highway to the northeast of the country.

According to the TV station "Al-Manar" heavy fighting continues in the settlements of Farusiya and Meshleb where the Syrian army has set up roadblocks.

All sides are suffering losses with unofficial reports saying dozens of soldiers as well as rebels have been killed or wounded.

Voice of Russia, TASS

Friends of Syria Group ‘Encourages Extremists

Source : RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, March 1 (RIA Novosti) - A resolution adopted by the Friends of Syria Group in Rome on Thursday encourages extremists there to seize power by force, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said on Friday.

US, EU and Arab officials who met in Rome on Thursday pledged more assistance to the Syrian opposition fighting against President Bashar al-Assad's regime, recognizing the National Coalition as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people.

“There is a general understanding within the international community that there is no military solution to the Syrian crisis,” Lukashevich said in a statement posted on the ministry’s website.

“Meanwhile, judging by incoming reports, the decisions made in Rome, as well as the statements that were made there, both in letter and in spirit encourage extremists to seize power by force, regardless of the inevitable suffering of ordinary Syrians.” He did not elaborate.

The Rome statement praised the opposition National Coalition for its reform efforts, urged Assad's regime to end “indiscriminate bombardments against populated areas,” and deplored “the unabated arms supply to the regime by third countries.”

The US pledged $60 million in “non-lethal” assistance for the Syrian political opposition.

Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday the US would send the Syrian opposition an additional $60 million in non-lethal aid, but still refuses to supply the weapons and sophisticated military supplies the rebels have said they need.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday Moscow’s position on Syria stems from its concern for the Syrian people, and not the fate of President Bashar al-Assad.

The United States has called for Assad to step down, but Russia says it is concerned that the Syrian president’s forced departure would make the conflict worse.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said last Tuesday foreign military supplies to Syria’s armed opposition have been growing. He reiterated Russia’s official position that Moscow will not carry out fresh arms deliveries to the Syrian government, but is only supplying arms and military equipment under contracts signed before the civil war, which has claimed some 70,000 lives according to the latest UN estimates.

Last Monday, Lavrov denied Moscow had tried to smuggle arms components into Syria via Finland, and said there are no Russian troops in Syria apart from several dozen technical staff at the Tartus naval support facility. Russia’s state- run arms dealer Rosoboronexport said on Wednesday it is supplying air-defense missile systems and maintenance and servicing equipment to Syria, but not combat aircraft.

Behind the Scenes: Syrian Opposition to Talk with Gov’t without Preconditions

Source : Islamic Invitation Turkey

Well informed sources in the Russian foreign affairs confirmed the information that the Syrian opposition is ready to go into negotiations with the Syrian government without preconditions that President Assad should not be part of the process. The Russian sources say that opposition is displaying a more realistic approach after the recent achievements of the governments on both military and political levels.

High European official sources continued to send direct messages to Hezbollah, confirming its rejection to the Israeli and American pressures and attempts to enlist the party on the terrorist organizations list.

Some observers interpreted the continuous escalation of attacks by 14th of March forces and figures against Hezbollah as a passport to rally support and recognition on the eve of the parliamentary elections.

Syria protests Israel's approval for oil drilling

Source : http://www.huffingtonpost

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria is protesting a recent decision by Israel to go ahead with a gas exploration project in the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau it captured from Syria in the 1967 war.

In letters sent to the U.N. Security Council and the U.N. secretary general Thursday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry called the decision a "blatant violation" of U.N. resolutions and Syria's sovereignty.

Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed the strategic plateau in a move not recognized by the international community.

On Feb. 21, Israel said it had issued a permit for the American-Israeli company Genie Energy to drill for oil on the plateau.

Syria alleges that Israel is trying to consecrate its occupation of Syrian territory and steal its resources