I Saw Nasrallah in Qusayr

Source : http://old.mehrnews.com/en

TEHRAN, Jun. 17 (MNA) – Just days after the fall of Qusair, the city started receiving visitors. Some were returning residents looking for what was left of their homes and properties, while others were only passersby who wanted to see what had happened to the city. There was a third category: Probably Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah fits in.

According to Al-Monitor, It was my last day in Qusair, and the security measures taken there weren’t as restrictive as in the previous days. When I asked, the only answer I received was that every day there are new orders. “Probably the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will pay a visit to the city, a visit similar to the one he paid to Baba Amr in Homs after the regime took control of it,” a colleague of mine suggested but never confirmed. Later, a Syrian officer told us that a high-profile Syrian official (not Assad) will arrive soon in Qusair.

After I had been a couple of hours in the city, no one had arrived. I decided to move around the city to look for returning residents for a possible interview or package. In the center of the city, I stood in the middle of the main road as a huge, black four-wheel-drive came my way.

I stared at the man sitting beside the driver: The face was familiar, but something was missing. It was clear I was face to face with Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, without a turban, wearing a military uniform. He smiled and nodded to me, and while I was still in shock, the car was out of sight. There was no convoy, only one car, but as I said before, there were security measures taken in the city and around.

It took me some time to confirm that whom I saw was Nasrallah. When I returned to Beirut, I started my investigations to confirm it and I did.

While investigating, I came across another piece of information: that this visit wasn’t the first for Nasrallah to Qusair during this very crisis. “Sayyed Nasrallah went to Qusair a day before the start of the battle: He met the commanders, visited some injured fighters and gave a speech,” a source close to Hezbollah told me, “He spoke for around half an hour with his main commanders exchanging ideas on the battle and the expectations and how many days it’ll take them to finish it.”

As for the latest visit, the one day after the offensive, our source said that Nasrallah visited the city of Qusair and the towns around it in the country side. He added, “Sayyed Nasrallah wanted to thank the fighters personally, he met them, met the injured, and went around the area.”

I asked the source how Nasrallah is able to move from Beirut to Qusair in Syria and sometimes travel to Iran while Israel is saying that he is hiding.

“It’s a hide-and-seek game,” he replied, “Nasrallah's security apparatus is professional enough to know when to move and how. No one knows what they do and what their measure are, we only know when things are done.”

Nasrallah’s visit to Qusair shows once again that the group’s fight in Syria isn’t a matter of interests, it’s a matter of existence

Rally celebrates restoration of security in Qusayr

Source : Strategic-Culture

A large number of Syrians have held a rally in the strategic city of Qusayr to celebrate the restoration of security in the city, which borders Lebanon.

The demonstrators, waving Syrian flags and chanting nationalistic slogans, marched through the streets of Qusayr on Sunday, the official news agency SANA reported.

They expressed their trust in the ability of the Syrian security forces to confront terrorists and protect the homeland against plots hatched by the Arab country’s enemies.

Homs governor Ahmad Munir Mohammad, who was leading the rally, said that the public services destroyed by terrorists would be restored soon.

Former Lebanese MP, Hassan Yaacoub, who also participated in the demonstration, said that Syria's enemies sought to destroy it but failed “due to the steadfastness of the Syrian people and bravery of the Syrian army.”

Last week, Syrian troops established control over Qusayr following weeks of heavy clashes with foreign-backed militants. Syrian troops were backed by forces from the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah during the Qusayr operation.

The Syrian Army is now in control of most of the towns and villages near the border with Lebanon.

There have been reports of heavy clashes between government forces and militants in Aleppo, Lattakia, Idlib, Deir Ezzor and several Damascus suburbs.

The Syria crisis began in March 2011, and many people, including large numbers of government forces, have been killed.

Damascus 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.

The Syrian government says the West and its regional allies, such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, are supporting the militants.

In addition, several international human rights organizations say the militants operating in Syria have committed war crimes.

Syria government forces say it takes last rebel bastion near Qusayr

Source : The Voice of Russia

Syrian regime forces have retaken the village of Eastern Bweida from insurgents, state television said on Saturday, four days after the nearby rebel bastion of Qusayr fell to the army and Hezbollah.

"Our heroic troops have restored safety and security in Eastern Bweida," the channel said.

UN Council demands aid access to Syria conflict town

Russia on Friday agreed to a UN Security Council statement that demanded that its ally Syria allow humanitarian access to the conflict town of Qusayr.

The statement, agreed after Russia had blocked an earlier version, called for "immediate, safe and unhindered" access to Qusayr.

White House condemns 'in strongest possible terms' Assad's assault on Qusair

The White House on Wednesday condemned the assault on the Syrian border town of Qusair by Syrian government forces, who worked with Lebanese Hezbollah allies to take control from rebel fighters.

The United States denounced President Bashar al-Assad's government on Thursday over its 17-day assault on Qusair, near the Lebanese border. It said Syrian troops owed their success to Hezbollah fighters backed by Iran.

"The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the Assad regime's assault on Qusair, which has killed untold numbers of civilians and is causing tremendous humanitarian suffering," White House spokesman Jay Carney said in statement.

"It is clear that the regime could not contest the opposition's control of Qusair on its own, and is depending upon Hezbollah and Iran to do its work for it in Qusair," Carney said.

He went on to repeat a White House call for Iran and Hezbollah to withdraw all troops from Syria, adding that Hezbollah's involvement posed a direct threat to Lebanon's stability.

The Syrian government had earlier claimed a "heroic victory" on May 19. "Our heroic armed forces have returned security and stability [to the area]," the government said in a statement broadcast on Syrian state television.

As a crucial supply route for both government and rebel forces, the town had become the focal point of Syria's 27-month conflict. Witnesses said the town, formerly home to 40,000 people, had been left in ruins.

The United States, Russia and the United Nations are seeking to bring rebel and regime representatives to the negotiating table in Geneva.

Al-Assad's regime has agreed "in principle" to attend the talks. The opposition, however, has demanded a prior commitment that the president will step down.

Arab League condemns Hezbollah role in Syria

The Arab League on Wednesday condemned the military intervention in Syria by the Lebanese Islamic militant group Hezbollah, Arab League Secretary General Nabil Elaraby said.

A statement agreed at a meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo condemned all forms of foreign intervention, especially that by Hezbollah, Elaraby told a news conference after the meeting.

Rockets launched from Syria hit Lebanon's Baalbek - security source

At least five rockets launched from across Lebanon's border with Syria hit the eastern city of Baalbek Wednesday, including two that landed near the city's renowned Roman ruins, a security source told AFP.

Another three rockets that hit Hezbollah bastion Baalbek landed in the city centre, the source said on condition of anonymity, adding that several other missiles landed in areas near the city.

The attack came hours after Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah and the Syrian army took control of central Syria's Qusayr, located near the border with the small Mediterranean country.

Control of al-Qusayr is game changer in Syria

Source : http://old.mehrnews.com/en

TEHRAN, Jun. 5 (MNA) – The recent operation, in which the Syrian army recaptured much of the city of al- Qusayr, was one of the country’s biggest victories in its war against the rebels, which has lasted over two years.

Al-Qusayr is on the Damascus-Homs highway, and thus by gaining control of the area, the Syrian government has cut the supply route of the rebels operating in the Homs region, which could force them to retreat from their strongholds. The importance of the city is magnified since it is located on the weapons smuggling route and is just 15 kilometers from the border with Lebanon, so its recapture will allow the Syrian government to control the border area.

If the government of President Bashar al-Assad can gain full control over al-Qusayr, it would be a massive setback for the United States, Israel, and the reactionary Arab states, which have spent billions of dollars to support the rebels fighting against the Syrian government. The gains made by the Syrian military over the past few months have changed all the equations in Syria and have improved the government’s position for the proposed talks with the opposition to resolve the crisis.

Now that their main supply route is blocked, the rebels are trying to intensify the battle in the city of Daraa on the Syria-Jordan border in order to weaken the army’s position in al-Qusayr. However, the army seems to be in control of the situation in Daraa since the vast majority of the people of the region support the government.

Thus, Assad’s government is expected to have the upper hand at the second Geneva conference on Syria. However, the general atmosphere that prevails at the meeting will determine how many concessions Assad can acquire from the opposition. And at the end of the day, the talks between the United States and Russia, and the positions adopted by other influential countries, such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, will determine the outcome of the Geneva conference.

Seyyed Morteza Nematzadeh is an expert on the Middle East who formerly served as Iran’s cultural attaché in Syria.

MS/HG MNA END

Syrian Army Invites Citizens of Qusseir to Return Home

Source : Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Syrian Army asked citizens of al- Qusseir to return to their homes after it regained full control of the strategic town.

"We ensure Qusseir is safe now," the Syrian army announced on Wednesday.

It stressed that the victory in Qusseir is a clear message to the enemies of the country, particularly the Israeli regime.

Also on Wednesday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian felicitated the Syrian nation and government on the army's full control over the town of al-Qusseir.

Syria's state television reported that Syrian forces have regained full control of the strategic city of Qusseir following three weeks of fighting with the militants in the region.

The Syrian military forces dismantled the terrorist network of the militants in the strategic area, which borders Lebanon.

Many of the foreign-backed militants and members of the armed groups were killed or injured during the Syrian army operations to cleanse the region of the terrorists.

Speaking to FNA, Amir Abdollahian congratulated the Syrian nation, government, and army on the success of the Syrian military forces in Qusseir.

He also condemned the shipment of arms to the militants in the Arab country, and said, "Certain parties, who are still supporting arms shipment and terrorist acts against Syria, are responsible for massacre of people and devastation of Syria and should be tried as war criminals."

Operations for Syrian Army kill Arab and Syrian members of al-Qaeda organization.

Source : http://www.breakingnews.sy/en

Syrian Arab Army launch a series of the military operations against the fortifications of al-Qaeda organization in Edlib countryside killing many Arab and Syrian terrorist, while it has confronted Lebanese armed men attempted to infiltrate on al-Qusair.

Units of Syrian Army target a gather for Free Army militia inside “Qaser al-Reman” on Edlib- Binnish road; resulted in the death of about 60 armed men and the injury of others, including Saud al-Hasan, Salem Abu Zaid and others.

Our reporter in Edlib points out that Syrian army holds off the armed rebels who have attacked on the Cement checkpoint near al-Faleen factory around Jeser al-Shughour city; resulted in the death of around 30 gunmen and the destruction of a car provided by Dotchka gunfire resulting in no injuries among the members of the checkpoint.

Our correspondent says that the armed militia has fired 5 missiles on the checkpoint, but landed on agricultural lands resulting in raging fire

Syrian army maintains the operations, where units of Syrian forces of Abu al- Zuhour Military Airport target a gather for the armed men were preparing to attack on the airport from the side of the village causing the death and the injury of a large number of the armed men and the destruction of 3 cars with machine guns.

The correspondent adds that the army has targeted armed men gather in Dahret Balet Nahla of Areha countryside; resulted in deaths and injuries among the insurgents.

Syrian Army kills Lebanese insurgents tried to infiltrate on al-Qusair.

Units of Nomadic forces affiliated to Syrian Arab Army have frustrated the infiltration of the armed members from the Lebanese territory through Josieh location of al-Qusair countryside claiming deaths and injuries among their ranks.

Syrian state news agency “SANA” quotes of an official sources as saying that “a number of the terrorists got killed, including three Lebanese terrorists they are Nedal Subeh, Feras Shalha and Ahmad Kasher.”

The agency says that Syrian Army has destroyed dens for the insurgents with the weapons and the ammunitions in the northwest and the west neighborhoods of the city.

Syrian Army extends its domination over Homs

Source : http://old.mehrnews.com

TEHRAN, Jun. 2 (MNA) – Sources report that Syrian Army has the control of al-Qusayr’s Dhabi airport and extended its domination over Homs.

The Syrian Army has taken complete control o the al-Qusayr’s Dhabi airfield in the city o Homs, despite all sporadic attacks by armed terrorists, Al-Alam TV reported.

Al-Alam correspondent reported from the airport, in an interview with military forces stationed in the area, emphasizing that the armed terrorists could not have made any advance, even as much as an inch, in this area

In the Northern part of Homs, Syrian army crossed the armed groups’ supply lines to the remaining of armed groups in Homs.

According to the report, the attacks killed dozens of terrorists and their weapons confiscated. The armed terrorists have committed other crimes in the area against the citizens in the village, situated between a Dhabi and city of al Sanayeh.

“11,000 Radical Islamists Fighting in al-Qusayr, 2000 from Lebanon’s Tripoli”

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

The battle in the Syrian border city of al-Qusayr has been recently escalated amid the information revealed stating that more than eleven thousand radical Islamists have arrived in the area and involved in fighting the Syrian army, Addiyar local newspaper reported Friday.

Among the radicals there are about 2,000 young people from the Lebanese northern city of Tripoli, Addiyar added.

The newspaper noted, however, that "the former Prime Minister Saad Hariri offered $150 million paid by Gulf States for the Syrian armed opposition, which has practically become the al-Nusra Front of the Sunnis in the Levant.”

The fund was presented on behalf of Hariri so that fingers wouldn’t be pointed at the Gulf countries, but rather it will appear as an individual move, the daily indicated.

“Money transfers weren’t signed by Saad al-Hariri, but by individuals of Itani and Baba families," Addiyar further elaborated.

Media reported tackling Lebanese parties involvement in supporting terrorist takfiris in Syria have been increased recently.

The Syrian army foiled several attempts by Lebanese gangs trying to infiltrate into the Syrian territories to help al-Nusra Front fighting against the national army in the border city of al-Qusayr.

Al-Qusayr city lies on the northern Syrian border with Lebanon, and was occupied by terrorists and armed opposition gunmen since more than two years.

The Syrian Army launched on May 19 a large-scale operation to clear the area of terrorist gangs and liberate the citizens trapped there.

Blasts kill 8 in Syria, army advances in strategic city

Source : Xinhua

DAMASCUS, May 30 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people were killed Thursday in separate explosions and mortar attacks in Syria, as the Syrian army regained control over three towns in the countryside of the strategic city of al-Qussair, the state-run SANA news agency said.

One man was killed when a mortar shell struck the capital Damascus' suburb of Harasta, SANA said, adding that another two men were killed when two explosive devices went off in Busra al- Harir town in the southern province of Daraa.

In Damascus' suburb of Kanaker, five civilians were killed when an explosive device ripped through a house that was used as storage of explosive devices by the rebels.

SANA said the five civilians were in nearby houses that were affected by the blast.

Meanwhile, the Syrian army regained three towns in al-Qussair in central Syria, namely Brak, Jawadieh and Arjoun.

The army pushed its way into al-Qussair early Sunday after taking control of its suburb following 46 days of battling. The offensive aims to cut the rebels' main supply line.

The army's recent advancement is deemed as the Syrian administration's efforts to strengthen its position ahead of the forthcoming Geneva talks on Syria slated for mid-June. President Bashar al-Assad has decided to send an official delegation to Geneva, while the Syrian National Coalition, the main umbrella opposition group in exile, is set to boycott the meeting

Syrian Army Regains Strategic Areas in Al-Qusayr, Damascus Countryside

Source : http://www.almanar.com

The Syrian army regained on Wednesday strategic towns of Bayt Sahem and Sydi Mikdad in Damascus countryside as it recaptured the strategic airport of Daba'a in the area of al-Qusayr.

Al-Manar correspondent in Damascus countryside reported that the Syrian Army targeted the hideouts of the foreign-backed militants in Bayt Sahem and Sydi Mikdad inflicting heavy losses upon them.

He said that the area of Bayt Sahem was for several months earlier a bastion for the armed groups in which they stage through sniper activity and launch mortar shells on the neighboring Jermana area.

“Syrian Army entered Bayt Sahem as it delivered several blows to the armed groups there,” our correspondent Jaafar Mhanna said.

“The Syrian Army is adopting the policy of multi-front. As it staged operation in Bayt Seham, it seized the area of Sydi Mikdad in a bid to cut off the routes that supply the militants who are in the area of Sayyida Zeinab in Damascus countryside.”

Daba'a Airport in the Hand of Syrian Army On the other hand, the Syrian Army also captured the airport of Daba'a in al- Qusayr area, inflicting huge losses upon the armed groups there.

“The Syrian Arab Army completely regained the land of the Daba'a airport. It’s also chasing the militants who fled to the neighboring areas,” al- Manar correspondent in al- Qusayr, Hamza al-Hajj Hasan said.

Al-Manar also broadcast video showing corpses of the militants who were killed during the battle which lasted for several hours in the airport. Our correspondent talked to one of the Syrian commanders who were during the battle. The commander confirmed the Army’s control of the area, saying that the situation there was good and secure.

He said that the Syrian army arrested several militants, noting that the both the killed and the arrested militants included foreigners.

“Daba'a airport is strategic since it separates the northern towns of al-Qusayr from the city itself,” the Syrian commander told our correspondent.

Battle for Qusayr: Terrorists’ Supply Routes Totally Cut

Source : islamicinvitationturkey.com

Syrian Army continued Thursday its military operation in the northern city of Qusayr and the rest of its countryside chasing the terrorist groups deployed in the area. The second stage of the Qusayr battle was launched Wednesday, inflicting the opposition militant groups heavy losses and arresting many of their members.

Fierce clashes took place Thursday between the terrorists and the Syrian army in the northern quarter and western part of Basateen village.

Qazmaniya in the eastern Ghotta was reclaimed.

The second round will represent a great step towards resolving the battle, high rank Syrian source said.

The new round includes cutting off all the main routes which terrorists might use to escape the army blows; cutting off most of the terrorists’ supply routes; and dismantling mines and roadside improvised explosive devices (IED) planted by terrorists.

However, the so-called ‘Qusayr Coordinator’, an opposition media outlet on Facebook, admitted the killing of Bakr al-Mostafa, one of the takfiri leaders in the city, whose nickname was “Qasyoun”.

The coordinator also reported “violent attack” the terrorists are suffering from the eastern part of the city.

On the other hand, Syrian army defeated an infiltration attempt of militants from Lebanon across the mountains of Bureij near Qusayr city.

Many of them were claimed by machine guns of the Arab Syrian Army.

“A military unit has responded to an armed group that was trying to infiltrate into Qusayr through the Hasbaa area to aid the terrorists,” Syrian official source told SANA news agency.

“Among the dead were three of the armed groups’ leaders,” he said.

The Syrian army confronted militants attempting to infiltrate from the Qaa’ projects in Lebanon through Baa’youn Valley to the Josya area.

They suffered heavy losses as well, pointing out that they still have the ability to respond to Syrian fire, which is a strong evident of their huge supply of arms.

Qusayr city lies on the northern Syrian border with Lebanon, where terrorists and armed opposition gunmen are located and smuggle weapons to the militant groups across Syria.

The Syrian Army launched on Sunday a large-scale operation to clear the area of terrorist gangs and liberate the citizens stuck there.

Syrian Army continue warning terrorists to leave Syria

Source : islamicinvitationturkey.com

Leaflets are being dropped on Homs in anticipation of follow on operations in the city and northern towns. Rastan, Hula and Tabliseh all face the same fate as Qusayr unless terrorists decide to hand themselves in. There will be no negotiations, there will be no mercy. The army is making preparations under the assumption that the battle along the Lebanese border will end soon, delays cannot be afforded and heavy weapons are ready to fill any gaps left by surprising battlefield outcomes.

Large-Scale Operation in Qusayr, Heavy Losses for Militants

Source :

Syrian army units continue its large-scale military operations against armed groups on Tuesday in the southern city of Qusayr in Homs countryside.

Manar correspondent reported that the army began its large-scale in the northern side of the city, where insurgents are based, after they have been suffering significant losses in lives and properties on Sunday and Monday.

Abu Omar, al-Nusra front leader in Qusayr was reportedly killed following clashes with the Syrian army, Syrian state television stated this afternoon.

“During its ongoing operations against militants in the central and northern quarter of Qusayr, the Syrian army inflicted casualties within terrorists’ ranks and destroyed many of the tunnels they were using to move and store weapons and ammunition,” SANA news agency said.

Also on Tuesday, dozens of improvised explosive devices planted by insurgents in civil houses and public roads and utilities have been dismantled. Large quantities of arms and ammunition have been destroyed as well.

Source: Al-Manar Website

Syrian Army Surrounds Strategic Town of Qusayr

Source : Al Akhbar English

The Syrian army continued to make advances against opposition forces, this time in the strategic area of Rif Qusayr along both banks of the Assi River near the border with Lebanon.

Qusayr has played a key role in the conflict due to its proximity to the Lebanese border, where weapons, supplies, and fighters are smuggled through the rugged hills near the Lebanese town of Ersal.

For months now, the opposition has had complete control of the city of Qusayr, with an ability to reach north to Homs and south to the northern suburbs of Damascus, where government forces are waging ferocious battles with the opposition.

However, the western banks of the Assi River – home to many Lebanese villages located inside Syrian territory – remained under the control of the army with support from the local Popular Committees, which are in turn backed by Hezbollah. The opposition nevertheless had the ability to cross over to the western side of the river where it enjoyed a strong presence in some villages.

The situation began to change around ten days ago when the Syrian military took the area of Nabi Mando, which not only overlooks most of Rif Qusayr but also contains a bridge connecting the two banks of the river. They also managed to take the town of Ibil to the north, effectively cutting Qusayr off from Homs.

The battles in these areas came at a heavy cost to the opposition. Calls for assistance appeared on their social media sites, saying that Syrian army and Hezbollah forces were closing in on Qusayr.

While some local sources suggested that the army’s offensive will not end until it has expelled the opposition from Qusayr, others said that the target of the operation is limited to isolating the city and preventing the fighters in it from either moving north to Homs or south toward the suburbs of Damascus.

At the same time as the Qusayr operation, the Syrian army carried out a similar offensive to the southwest of Damascus, where again the opposition lost ground and took some heavy casualties. Here again, the military’s objective is to cut off the smuggling of weapons coming from opposition-held areas in the Golan to fighters in the capital’s suburbs.

According to close observers, these military operations are part of an overall plan to cut off the opposition’s supply lines from Lebanon in the west, Jordan in the south, and Turkey in the north, while at the same time expanding what the regime is calling a “secure zone,” starting with the areas around Damascus and Homs.

(Al-Akhbar)

RedditTweet25 Send by emailPrinter-friendly version Tags Section: Mideast & North Africa Category: Articles Tags: syria, Qusayr, Syrian army, Damascus, Syrian opposition, Assi River Related Articles Battle for Damascus: Regime Fights on Four Fronts For two months now, all eyes were on Damascus as both the regime and the opposition readied themselves for a major confrontation to gain the upper hand ahead of a US-Russia summit in June. Inside the Assi River Basin Villages Photo Blog by: Haytham Al-Moussawi The villages that dot both the Syrian and Lebanese sides of the Assi (Orontes) River Basin have found themselves steeped in the Syrian conflict, divided between... Advertisement Published Monday, April 22, 2013

The battles in these areas came at a heavy cost to the opposition. Calls for assistance appeared on their social media sites, saying that Syrian army and Hezbollah forces were closing in on Qusayr.

Up to 400 Syrians flee Qusayr for Lebanon

LBCI News

Nearly 400 Syrians from around the rebel-held central town of Qusayr have fled for neighboring Lebanon in the past 24 hours, a Lebanese security official reported on Tuesday. "Among them are men, women and children," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

A Syrian security official told AFP on Monday that the army hoped to eliminate the last pockets of resistance in the central city of Homs and nearby Qusayr by the end of the week to free up troops for battle zones in the north, such as Aleppo.

Many of the villagers crossed the border on foot, while others came by motorbike or donkey, an AFP journalist in the eastern Bekaa Valley said.