Top Stories

• The Iranian Embassy in Syria denied reports of contacting Syrian opposition figures abroad despite claims by several opposition members.

• Lebanese Army units erected sand barriers at the Syrian-Lebanese borders to prevent Syrian refugees and injured civilians from escaping to Lebanon.

• The regime started a new military campaign against Hama that is more vicious than the one launched on the first day of Ramadan.

Top Videos

• Baba Amr, Homs: Three civilians severely injured by a nail bomb +18

• Taoum, Idlib: Lifeless body of fallen hero Radwan Lattouf

• Inshaat, Homs: An innocent civilian carrying bread to his family shot dead by Assad’s forces

Summary of Events

The Iranian Embassy in Syria denied news reports of contacting several opposition figures despite many testimonies confirming the incidents. The Embassy added that it does not intend to hold talks or consultations with the opposition, and if it were to do so it would first coordinate with the Syrian regime. However, many opposition figures inside Syria and in France said that the current Iranian Ambassador to Damascus Muhammad Rida Shibani contacted them as soon as he replaced the former Ambassador Ahmad Musawi two months ago.

Security forces killed 35 civilians today, mostly in Hama. An Iraqi woman was killed in the Damascus suburb of Zabadani at a security checkpoint. Iraqi refugees in Syria have been in support of the revolution but have not taken part at all in fear of the regime’s brutality. The regime started a new scare tactic to intimidate activists by planting landmines in front of their homes. The most recent incident recorded was in the Damascus suburb of Madaya where the landmine led to the injury of several passers-by. Along the Syrian-Lebanese borders in Wadi Khaled, Lebanese Army units in coordination with Syrian security forces erected sand barriers to prevent Syrian refugees and injured civilians from escaping into Lebanon. This operation comes within a new set of measures devised by the Lebanese Hezbollah government against the Syrian refugees.

In Hama, the regime started a new military campaign that is more vicious than the one launched against the city on the first day of Ramadan. Dozens of tanks and armoured units were brought into the city and hidden within government buildings such as the National Army base, Police Stations, and Fire-fighter stations in the past few days. Additionally, dozens of tanks were perched at the entrance of the city for several months. The military operation started when tanks and APCs climbed up the highest points in the city and started shelling the city, while militiamen and security personnel were also brought in during the past week, and were hidden at public facilities such as the Children Medical Complex, political security office, military airport, and the police and fire-fighter stations.

Revolution Statistics

Syrians killed: 5,198
Children killed: 332
Females killed: 222
Injured: +25,000
Missing: +50,000
Protestors killed under torture: 177
Protestors currently incarcerated: +59,000
Syrian refugees since March: +17,727
Refugees in Turkey: 10,227
Refugees in Lebanon: +5,500
Refugees in Jordan: +2,000
 
International Reactions
Turkey: We don’t intend to attack Syria

US: Assad's Syria a 'dead man walking'

Arab League chief denies allegations of calling for a no-fly zone in Syria

UN Secretary-general calls for action on Syria, touts U.N. role in Arab Spring

US House Hearing: As Syria violence continues, members review U.S. policy

Selected Media Coverage

CNN: Should the world intervene in Syria?

Adnkronos: Syria: Christmas celebrations 'muted in solidarity with opposition'

FT: Turkey’s stance will seal the fate of Syria’s Ceausescu
 
Upcoming Events
December 16: Chicago, USA
Demonstration at the Chinese Consulate to condemn China’s support to the Syrian regime
 
December 16: Bucharest, Romania
Demonstration in solidarity with the people of Syria
 
December 16: Athens, Greece

Demonstration at the Syrian Embassy

December 16: Istanbul, Turkey

Demonstration at the Syrian Embassy

December 16: NYC, USA

Demonstration at the Russian Consulate in New York
 
December 17: Paris, France
Demonstration in solidarity with the Syrian revolution
 
December 18: California, USA
Syrian revolution concert with Yahya Hawwa & Wasfi Maasarani
 
December 18: Granada, Spain
Demonstration in solidarity with the Syrian revolution

Videos

Damascus

Roken Aldin: Civilians place roadblocks to prevent Assad’s mercenaries and forces from entering the area

Hajar Aswad: Demonstration by the free people of Golan Heights against the man whose father sold their land

Qabun: General strike and civil disobedience to demand overthrow the regime

Barzeh: General strike and civil disobedience to demand overthrow the regime

Aleppo

Aleppo University: Silent sit-in by university students in condemnation of the crimes against the unarmed civilians

Aleppo University: Assad’s forces storm the university campus in response to the sit-in

Damascus Suburbs

Saqba: Mass demonstration during the funeral procession of a fallen hero from Jobar

Madaya: Protesters from various parts of the suburbs join together to call for the overthrow of the regime

Zabadani: Assad’s forces open fire at civilians

Al-Tal: General strike and civil disobedience to demand overthrow the regime

Harasta: General strike and civil disobedience to demand overthrow the regime

Kafarsouseh: Demonstrators chant against Assad and call for his ouster

Aleppo Suburbs

Marea: Demonstrators chant “where are the millions of Arab supporters?”

Homs

Bab Houd: The devastating aftermath of shelling mosques and civilians properties

Qasir: Mass demonstration chants for the city of Homs

Teir Maala: General strike and civil disobedience to demand overthrow the regime

City Central: Assad’s forces attack civilian vehicles

Rastan: Demonstrators demand Assad’s execution

Qasir: The devastating aftermath of shelling civilians’ houses surrounding the National Hospital         

Khaldiya: Mass demonstration led by Assad’s most wanted man al-Sarout

Ghouta: Protesters place roadblocks to prevent Assad’s forces from storming their town

Khaldiya: Mass demonstration chants for the ouster of Assad

Daraa

Herak: Assad’s military tanks storm the town

Saida: General strike and civil disobedience to demand overthrow the regime

Mahatta: Anti-Assad graffiti campaign demands the overthrow of the regime

Ataman: Arrival of new reinforcements to force and end to the strike

Jasem: Mass demonstration next to the house of fallen hero Sami al-Harri

Naima: Evening demonstration chants for the disaster-impacted city of Homs

Sahari: Severe shortage in diesel supplies as a result of the collective punishment

Hama

Castle: Military reinforcement storm the town

City Centre: A little child chants to condemn the practices of the regime in cutting off the diesel supplies on the towns and suburbs

Hamidiya: Mass evening demonstration in response to the attack launched by Assad’s regime against their town

Aleppo Road: Mass demonstration demands Assad’s execution

Latamna: Student demonstrators demand the overthrow of the regime

Idlib

Kansafra: All-women and children demonstration chants for the city of Homs

Ma’arrat Harma: General strike and civil disobedience to demand the overthrow of the regime

City Centre: Thousands of protesters take to the streets to demand the overthrow of the regime

Ma’arrat Noman: General strike and civil disobedience to demand the overthrow of the regime

Deir Azzour

Boukamal: Assad’s loyal troops and defected soldiers exchange fire making it look like a real war

Hamidiya: Demonstrators chant for freedom and demand the ouster of Assad

Hasaka

Qamishli: Mass demonstration led by a young child chanting against Assad and demanding the end of his family rule

Derbasiya: Demonstrators chant for freedom and demand the overthrow of the Baath Party

Demonstrations Abroad

Jordan: A group of activists stormed the Syrian Embassy

Top Stories

• An Arab committee was formed in Jordan to support the Syrian people and their revolution.

• Syrian Ambassador to the UN accused UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay of deceit and misinformation following her hearing at the UNSC.

• The ‘Dignity Strike’ is still on-going for the third day at the same time as the regime began the Local Administration elections which have seen extremely low turnout rates.

Top Videos

• Bayada, Homs: A civilian shot in the chest by a sniper

• Ma’arrat Masrin, Idlib: Lifeless body of fallen hero Mohammad Nathir

• Ma’arrat Masrin, Idlib: Severe injuries due to the horrible massacre committed by Assad’s forces against civilians

Summary of Events

The formation of an Arab committee to support the Syrian people and the revolution was announced in Jordan. This committee aims to provide political and humanitarian support to the demonstrators. The committee was formed as a coalition by directors of similar committees in Jordan, Kuwait, and Libya. The Committee announced it will start contacting other Arab organizations to work on a firm Arab intervention alternative in Syria.

Following the hearing of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay at the UNSC, Syrian Ambassador to the UN personally accused Pillay of deceit and misinformation in what seems to be a repeated pattern of disrespect to the UN and the international community. On another note, a Syrian ambassador has defected to Turkey recently. His identity is being kept secret for security reasons.

Security forces killed at least 39 civilians today, mostly in Idlib as the regime continues to crack down on the municipality in light of increased defections. Assad’s forces arrested ten children today from an elementary school (second and third graders) in Deir Azzour, after chanting against Bashar Assad. The ‘Dignity Strike’ is still on-going for the third day, at the same time as elections for the Local Administration are being held with extremely low turnout rates and even no turnout in some areas like Daraa, Idlib, and Deir Azzour. The regime has been punishing some of those areas by cutting off electricity, heating fuel, water and communications.

In Lattakia, additional student demonstrations took place. Female students organized a demonstration at the Science Department in Tishreen University, while another one was organized in Kournish Janubi complex, other student-organized demonstrations were held at Mashrou Slaybe next to Tamwin, Tabiyat, and Shukri Hakeem. Student revolutionary groups have been noticeably increasing lately, as more students are taking over organizing demonstrations for those arrested. Additionally, demonstrations occurred in Slaybe, when security forces shelled the neighborhoods of Raml Janubi and Slaybe. Arbitrary arrests continued, especially as security forces confiscate identification cards from all men and women in residential areas and ask them to pick them up from the local intelligence office where they are arrested.

Revolution Statistics

Syrians killed: 5,136

Children killed: 332

Females killed: 222

Injured: +25,000

Missing: +50,000

Protestors killed under torture: 177

Protestors currently incarcerated: +59,000

Syrian refugees since March: +17,727

Refugees in Turkey: 10,227

Refugees in Lebanon: +5,500

Refugees in Jordan: +2,000

International Reactions

Bahrain’s King: Syria is training Bahraini opposition

Turkey denies allegations of allowing attacks against Syrian troops from its territory

UN passes the Syrian crisis on to the International Criminal Court

Moscow slams allegations of standing against UN resolution on Syria

France calls upon the UN to take its responsibilities on Syrian crisis

Washington calls upon Russia to support UN resolution on Syria

French UN envoy rules out military action in Syria

EU calls upon Russia to take its responsibilities on Syrian crisis

Selected Media Coverage

Reuters: Syria's wounded make perilous trek for medical care

Wall Street Journal: For Syrian medics, a deadly bid to save lives

USA TODAY: Syrian rebels seek help waging civil war

The Daily Star: Future: South not for score settling

The Guardian: Syria's torture machine

The Guardian: Syria's prisoners: What type of people are in Syria's prisons right now?

CNN: How Syrian protests affect Hezbollah

Time World: For Syria's dissidents, even exile isn't safe

Christian Science Monitor: As Syria death toll soars, so does US frustration with Russia

Upcoming Events

December 16: Chicago, USA

Demonstration at the Chinese Consulate to condemn China’s support to the Syrian regime

December 16: Bucharest, Romania

Demonstration in solidarity with the people of Syria

December 17: Paris, France

Demonstration in solidarity with the Syrian revolution

December 18: California, USA

Syrian revolution concert with Yahya Hawwa & Wasfi Maasarani

Videos

Damascus

Qabun: Demonstrators demand the overthrow of the regime during the 3^rd day of the general strike

Maidan: Demonstrators chant for freedom and demand the overthrow of the regime

Qadam: General strike and civil disobedience for the 3^rd day

Asali: Demonstrators demand Assad’s execution

Aleppo

Saladin: Evening demonstration at Khodor mosque chants “God is the greatest” and demands the overthrow of the regime

Aleppo University: Students demonstrate at the university campus to demand the ouster of Assad

Damascus Suburbs

Barada Valley: A young child led a demonstration against Assad’s regime

Moadamiya: Military jetfighters circulating the skies of the suburbs to intimidate civilians

Kafarbatna: Evening demonstration demands the overthrow of the regime

Damir: Demonstration demands the overthrow of the regime during the third day of the general strike

Hammouriya: Mass demonstration chants for freedom and demands the overthrow of the regime

Harasta: Mass evening demonstration chants for freedom and demands the overthrow of the crazy President

Zamalka: Mass evening demonstration demands the overthrow of the regime

Aleppo Suburbs

Endan: Mass evening demonstration chants we only kneel to God

Atareb: Demonstration chants for free Syria and demands the overthrow of the regime

Homs

Khaldiya: Assad’s forces carry what they have stolen from shops and houses

Deir Baalba: Mass evening demonstration sends to a message to the Syrian opposition

Khaldiya: Funeral procession of fallen hero Mohammad Abdul-Moti

Waer: Mass demonstration by student of Khalid Bin Walid University demands the overthrow of the regime

Central City: General strike and civil disobedience to overthrow the regime

Bab Sebaa: Assad’s forces open fire indiscriminately at civilian houses

Houleh: Evening demonstration chants for freedom and for the Free Syrian Army

Qasir: The devastating aftermath of shelling homes by Assad’s forces

Qasir: Collecting humanitarian donations for the people of the disaster-impacted city of Homs

Daraa

Herak: Demonstrators chant for the Free Syrian Army

Saida: Assad’s forces storm the town to force civilians on breaking the strike

Nawa: Assad’s forces open fire at a funeral procession

Herak: Assad’s troops and tanks storm the town

Naima: Evening demonstration in solidarity with the city of Homs

Bosr Al-Harir: Mass demonstration at the town’s square chants we prefer death to humiliation

Dael: Women and children demonstrators call upon the rest of the cities to support the revolution

Hama

Central City: Assad’s mercenaries force civilians to break the strike by threatening to damage their shops

Hamidiya: Demonstrators chant for the fallen heroes

Khattab: Demonstrators demand the ouster of Assad

Aleppo Road: Demonstration in solidarity with the cities of Idlib and Homs

Olaylat: Demonstrators chant for freedom and demand the ouster of Assad

Idlib

Central City: Paramedics try to save a man’s life that was severely injured during the horrible massacre committed by Assad’s forces against civilians

Sarmin: Mass evening demonstration chants for the city of Idlib

Ma’arrat Na’san: Demonstration in solidarity with the cities under repression

Deir Azzour

Tayana: Demonstrators chant Assad is the enemy of God

Granig: Evening demonstration demands the ouster of Assad

Quriya: Evening demonstration in solidarity with the city of Idlib which saw a horrible massacre by Assad’s forces

Hasaka

Amouda: Evening demonstration chants for freedom and demands the overthrow of the regime

Qamishli: Evening demonstration condemns the crimes of the Syrian regime and demands international protection

Derbasiya: Demonstrators demand Assad’s execution

Demonstrations Abroad

Spain: Demonstration in Granada in solidarity with the people of Syria