Syria: Crimes Against Humanity By The Assad Regime With Massacres On Both Sides

Destruction in Aleppo. Photograph by Aleppo Girls

The siege and fighting rages on in Aleppo with heavy shelling by government forces and ambushes by rebels maintaining a relative stale-mate within the city. As the conflict continues, the importance of the battle for Aleppo should not be underestimated.

Some people don’t appreciate the significance of #Aleppo in the revolution. This could literally make it, or break it. #Syria

— نور (@NMSyria) July 28, 2012

The rebels may still be outgunned by the government forces, but they have managed to take control of a number of tanks and heavy artillery around Aleppo according to the UN Mission in the country.

The UN mission in #Syria has confirmed that opposition forces in the city of Aleppo have "tanks" and "heavy weapons" http://t.co/XdRcCsu9

— NOW Syria (@NOW_Syria) August 1, 2012

There are continued and escalating claims of atrocities by both sides, with claims of a massacre in the Artouz district in the countryside around Damascus by pro-Assad forces, with other verified reports of the execution of members of the feared and pro-Assad Barri clan of shabiha by rebels.

At least 25 civilians killed in a new massacre committed in the city of Jdaydet Artouz, a #Damascus suburb SW of capital. #Syria

— نور (@NMSyria) August 1, 2012

Spokesman for rebel Tawheed brigade claims responsibility for execution of 10 suspected members of Berri Shabiha yesterday in Aleppo #Syria

— Ivan Watson (@IvanCNN) August 1, 2012

The regime may be continuing to try to squeeze the uprising in Aleppo, but the large-scale protests continue with this video recorded yesterday after evening prayers

The regime also continues to use jets to fire upon and bomb areas of Aleppo as shown in this video:

Whilst the majority of those fighting in the conflict may be young men, there are those from across the board involved in the uprising from older people to women such as these

@bjoernen_dk That region has some real Amazones pic.twitter.com/4sThm3rE

— (@HamaEcho) July 31, 2012

As the UN continues to fail to intervene in the conflict to even create a “Safe Zone”, its World Food Programme (WFP) sent food to supply 541,575 people across Syria last month including food for 28,000 people in Aleppo. the WFP’s partner, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), have distributed food rations to close to 40,000 people in Aleppo since the start of fighting there.

There appears to be an ongoing external PR campaign to rebrand an ex-Brigadier General and close aide of the Assad regime as a man ready and willing to guide a post-Assad Syria. He defected from Syria to Paris a couple of weeks ago, and appears to have the support of the US, and more local support from Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. However, being described as the “Playboy of Damascus” and an important former Baath Party member and son of the 30 year serving father of Bashar al-Assad, many of those in the increasingly fractured opposition are less supportive.

#offline someone should start a #RejectManaf hashtag as well. Suspicious how a PR campaign is starting to make him look good.

— (@HamaEcho) August 1, 2012

In The World Media:

The Independent have published an insightful piece by Kim Sengupta on the battle for Aleppo between the government forces.
AP have a fascinating piece by Zeina Karam about some of the suspicions that some Syrians have about the defected Brigadier General Manaf Tlass.
In Al-Monitor, Hala Kodmani explains the issues facing the rebels and how difficult any future planning for Syria is at this stage when the fighting is still raging.
In The Guardian, Luke Harding takes a look at the role of video activists in documenting the conflict in Syria and changing local and worldwide opinion.
International Crisis Group have released a report explaining some of the continuing mutations in the conflict.
Reuters has a depressing piece by Erika Solomon about the slow and bloody grind of civil war in Damascus
The FT has an interesting piece by Anne-Marie Slaughter on the possible results of the lack of foreign help for the rebels.
Amnesty International (PDF) have produced a harrowing report in which they outline the crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Assad regime in Aleppo.