Syria: The Killing Continues As The World Looks On

A slipper hangs on a vandalised poster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad lying in a trash container in Aleppo, Syria. Photograph by KnafehAnd3ajeen

As battles are being fought across Syria by the Free Syrian Army and other opposition and Islamic groups against government forces, all eyes are on Aleppo as there is an increasing military build up around the city by Assad’s forces.

There are unconfirmed reports (arabic) that the much discussed armoured column that is moving towards Aleppo has suffered losses en route and its progress halted. Many of these forces have apparently come from the Idlib province, but fighting and heavy shelling continues in the areas as shown in this video from Ma’aret Nu’man

The numbers of deaths from the conflict continue to rise and yet the international community has as yet failed to act and fear and anticipation grows within Aleppo

if the #Syria regime is allowed to assault Aleppo city, the world will have a humanitarian disaster that will dwarf Srebrenica. We warned u

— Edward Dark (@edwardedark) July 26, 2012

Although a massacre may not have yet occurred in Aleppo, the humanitarian situation is already grave for the inhabitants. The fear is not also without basis, however, with US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland describing “credible reports of columns of tanks” waiting to attack the city and continuing

“a massacre in Aleppo…[is]what the regime appears to be lining up for”

United Nations Human Rights Commissoner Navi Pillay has also described the “likelihood of an imminent major confrontation” in Aleppo and appealed to all sides:

“Civilians and civilian objects — including homes and other property, businesses, schools and places of worship — must be protected at all times. All parties, including the government and opposition forces, must ensure that they distinguish between civilian and military targets.”

Whilst the tanks may not have moved on Aleppo, government forces continue to shell the city and use attack helicopters with heavy machine guns to target possible Free Syrian Army strongholds as shown in this video of such an aircraft firing on the Salah al-Deen district.

The protests in Aleppo have continued to grow unabated by the anticipated massacre, with this video showing an anti-government rally last night in #Shaar district.

Ikhlas al-Badawi, an MP for Aleppo, has defected and crossed the Turkish border stating

“I have crossed to Turkey and defected from this tyrannical regime…because of the repression and savage torture against a nation demanding the minimum of rights”

Outside of Aleppo, the government may have control of most of Damascus, but they continue to heavily shell any areas in which there are still protests

#Damascus based activist tells me constant shelling by military helicopters in the district of Tadamon #Syria

— Mysa K (@MysaKhalaf) July 27, 2012

Some activists inside the country are calling today (Friday) “The Revolt of the Two Capitals” referring to Aleppo and Damascus, the business and political/historic capitals.

This Friday is called "The Revolt of the Two Capitals": #Damascus being the administrative one and #Aleppo the economic. #Syria

— Nuff Silence (@NuffSilence) July 27, 2012

Following these threats from activists, the government has been preventing people worshipping in mosques in Damascus to avoid the post-worship “day of rage” that has been a consistent parts of the Arab Spring across the region

Regime forces preventing worshipers from praying at most mosques in #Qadam, #Damascus – #Syria

— نور (@NMSyria) July 27, 2012

Internationally, there is a movement in the US to try and send weaponry and help to the Free Syrian Army, but progress is slow. There is also an Obama administration drafted resolution that would supply the rebels with greater assistence, but still stop short of supplying weaponry. Without the support of the international community, however, the FSA is reportedly struggling to maintain control and influence over the increasing number of independent and Islamic-focused military groups that are springing up with Gulf-state support within the country.
https://twitter.com/Turk4Syria/status/228818922676297728

Outside of the UN or more general international community, Turkey has set up a secret base with allies Saudi Arabia and Qatar to direct vital military and communications aid to Syria’s rebels from a city near the border according to a report by Reuters. The weapons being smuggled across the border to supply the rebels are Russian made and bought on the black market according sources.

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Sources:
Local Coordination Committees of Syria
Hama English News
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights
Yalla Souriya
Enduring America