Destruction in Aleppo, Syria. Photograph by Harald Doornbos
There are a number of journalists on the ground in Syria at the moment, including those listed here, but few have live-tweeted their experiences in the war-torn country the way Jenan Moussa of Al Aan TV from Dubai did last week. Here are her reports from the ground:
I am inside #Syria. Welcome to Free Syria. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 4, 2012
We are walking in from Bab El Salamah border gate on #Syria side of Turkish border. This is liberated terrority under hand of #FSA. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 4, 2012
This reminds of Msaeed border crossing on #Egypt #Libya border. Few refugees leaving Syria to Turkey. Free #Syria flag flying high. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 4, 2012
I am heading with #FSA to #Azaz. Guess which song playing in our car. Yes, the #Libya rvltn song 'Sawfa nabka hona'. #Syria @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 4, 2012
I'm 25 kms north of #Aleppo city. I hear loud explosions in distance. We sit in the dark at a house of an activists. No electricity. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 4, 2012
Earlier today there was a helicopter flying above us. Now I hear one. Activist here tells me: "Wait until #Assad sends his MiG's" @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 4, 2012
In this town where I stay North of #Aleppo, there is one chicken place open. Food low. Petrol low. Gas low. Electricity on & off. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 4, 2012
#FSA rarely shoots in air 2 celebrate, unlike #Libya rebels. Fighter tells me bullets expensive. If it doesnt kill, we dont shoot. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 4, 2012
Explosions getting closer to us. Mortars falling in same village where we are. #Syria @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 4, 2012
I can still hear explosions by the way. One after the other. I will not go out to check. Too dangerous. #Syria @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 4, 2012
#FSA seems to have adapted in area where I am to Ramadan rhythm. They take it easy during day, plan attacks for the night. @akhbar #Syria
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 5, 2012
I just came back from night time operation w/ #FSA. Attack @ #Assad controlled airbase 30 kms north of #Aleppo. Shooting like carzy. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 5, 2012
Evening started already pretty scary cz we had to sneak towards #Assad base with #FSA in near total darkness. Moon gave some light. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 5, 2012
After 30 mins of sneaking on our knees, group we were with was spotted by #Assad troops in base. Sniper, machinegun opened fire. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 5, 2012
Luckily there were rocks. So we hid behind it. We then decided to leave spot. Unfortunately base sent 2 helicopters after our group. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 5, 2012
We all were scared when helicopters circled above our heads. We couldnt see them because of darkness but noise was scary. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 5, 2012
We then ran into fields, hid under olive trees. Stayed still for 30 mins. Helicopters didnt use search lights. Left after a while. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 5, 2012
When helicopters left, we ran away from base towards car of commander. Drove away as fast as possible without lights. Story 2morrow @akhbar.
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 5, 2012
#Syria: Again shelling started close 2 village where I am. Frankly I'm much less jumpy now as when I started 2 hear them 2 days ago. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 6, 2012
Shit. This was close. I am running to hide. #Syria
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 6, 2012
Shit. This was close. I am running to hide. #Syria @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 6, 2012
My vest on, helmet on. Shoes on. Tweeting from next to toilet. We will run to basement soon. If I go offline, u know. #Syria @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 6, 2012
Five mortars fell in out neighborhood. Three around 200 meters away. #Syria @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 7, 2012
Cynical thing was that we waited for hours in basement till it got quiet. As we walked back to house, 5 mortars fell close killing 3 @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 7, 2012
As our basement is occupied w/ families, we'll sleep in house where we were staying b4. But I will keep my clothes on just in case. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 7, 2012
Last night was harsh due to intense shelling on village where I am. I spent couple of hrs in basement. #Syria @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 7, 2012
When I thought bombardment was over, we left basement back 2 house. While walking on street, 3 mortars hit house 200m away. 3 killed. Scary.
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 7, 2012
I hear now one, two, three, actually 4 explosions. Welcome to #Aleppo city. #Syria @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 8, 2012
Road to #Aleppo was stressy. We were with small #FSA convoy. I was scared we would be hit by #Assad planes. But all went ok. @akhbar #Syria
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 8, 2012
In #Aleppo, I went 2 various neighborhoods now under control of #FSA. Many barricades on road. Tank, buses, burned cars everywhere. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 8, 2012
Civilians I spoke to in #Aleppo terrified. Shelling seems 2 b indiscriminate in some neighborhoods. Refugees in cars escaping war. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 8, 2012
When I entered makeshift hospital here in #Aleppo, I saw 2 injured. Ambulance arrived with 2 new injured. One died in front of us. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 8, 2012
I saw a bleeding man on hospital floor here in #Aleppo screaming from pain, pointing at his cellphone. Says 'pls call my family.' @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 8, 2012
We ok till now. They r shelling us. In hiding. #aleppo
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 9, 2012
Fsa out of salahuddine neighborhood in #aleppo. We try to leave city. #Syria @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 9, 2012
We are trying to get out of #aleppo. Very difficult. Planes in sky. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 9, 2012
I cant hide it. I am scared. #Aleppo @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 9, 2012
In hospital in #Aleppo, I saw a female among fighters. Hands covered in blood of fallen comrade. She's only female fighter here. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 8, 2012
In hospital here in #Aleppo, doctor complained to me lack of medication as an #FSA soldier stood close by crying his fallen comrade. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) August 8, 2012
Moussa has now safely exited Syria through the Turkish border.
