Syrian Revolution Digest, March 22, 2011
The major event planned for today was a sit-in to take place in front of the Main Court House in Old Damascus, but on accounts of heavy security presence the event fizzled out. As a result, protest organizers on Facebook decided to refrain from announcing details of planned gatherings until they are actually taking place. “Security people were expecting us, and made sure that even ordinary passersby didn’t linger in front of the Court House. Whenever they suspected someone of being a participant, they stayed close, uttered threats of violence if he/she lingered. Several of us tried a number of times to come together and stay, but we were too small and easily crowded out by security. From now on, we will refrain from announcing details of our gatherings, ” said one eyewitness.
New arrests are reported from Banyas, Aleppo, Damascus and Suweida. Hundreds of arrests are said to have taken place in Banyas since last Friday’s protests in which thousands participated. A number of children have been arrested, roughed up then released in Aleppo for publicly discussing the events in Deraa. In Damascus, author Louay Al-Hussain was arrested, and his computers were confiscated. In Suweida, human rights defender Muntaha Al-Atrash gave an interview to Orient TV in which she announced that she had joined the revolution. Muntaha is the daughter of Sultan Pasha Al-Atrash, one of the famed leaders of the Syrian Revolution against the French.
Syrians expressed growing anger towards the Al-Jazeera Network for what they consider a lack of coverage. This frustration was expressed widely through social media networks and through videos arriving from Syria where demonstrators are asking “Where is Aljazeera?” Compared to the 24 hours live coverage of the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, the time dedicated to events in Syria has been very limited.
Earlier in the day, security fired at protesters in Daraa to disperse a gathering in which people chanted anti-Iran and anti-Hezbollah slogans. People shouted “No to Iran, No to Hezbollah. We want Muslims that fear Allah.” This comes amidst growing rumors that Hezbollah members and Iranian advisors are taking part in the crackdown, even as their leaders have praised the revolution in Egypt.
At Al-Karamah Square, protesters brought tents and are planning to stay there until Friday.
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Daraa Video of funerals of those killed yesterday in Daraa, mourners chant for freedom and justice. Video shows a protester shot dead by Syrian security forces. Video of a testemony that security forces are behind destruction and buildings burning in Daraa. Pictures from Daraa. Syrian military and security forces continue enforcing a blockade on the city and not allowing ambulances from reaching the injured. Several attempts from security forces to raid Omari mosque. Minerates of others mosques calling for help amid heavy gunfire. Inkhel Video shows the demonstrations in the southern town. Sanamain Video shows protests. Video shows the protest continue until late night. Damascus Video shows security forces surround protesters and not allowing people to join the sit-in. Arrests of several activists amongst them is the writer Louai Alhussain. Raqqah A small group protested in front of the National Museum in Raqqah for about half an hour. Plans to organise more demonstrations. Qamishly Audio message calling upon all Syrian Kurds to join the Syrian revolution against the regime. Jordan Employees of the Syrian embassy in Amman beat a peaceful Syrian demonstrator. Reports Amnesty International calling on the Syrian regime to launch independent investigation into Syria protest deaths. Statement from eminent Syrian personalities to the Syrian people. Human rights organisations documented more than 170 names of people arrested in Syria since early March. TV Coverage BBC report on today’s development. Alarabiya interview with Ahmad Siasneh, Imam of Omari mosque in Daraa. France 24 interview with Abdulkarim Rihawi. Almoustaqilla interview with a mayour from Daraa. CNN report on the development in Syria. International Reaction EU High Representative statement on the crackdown of demonstrations in Syria. |
