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| Syria: Shelling continues as ceasefire deadline passes | Syria: Shelling continues as ceasefire deadline passes |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| 11.00am: Syria: The Local Coordination Committees activist group says 12 people, including four women and three children, have been killed by shelling in Homs today, in the neighbourhoods of Khalidiya and Bayada. | |
| Activists report attacks on a number of Homs neighbourhoods, including Bab Duraib, Safsafa and Qarabes, al-Qusayr (video of shelling) and Jourah al-Shiah (video of shelling). | |
| 10.55am: Bahrain: We've received an update from John Horne, one of the organisers of the open letter to Bahrain's ruler, King Hamad, published on the Guardian's website yesterday. The letter calls for the immediate and unconditional release of imprisoned hunger-striker Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. | |
| Since the letter was published in the Guardian, we have been overwhelmed with more than 300 further signatures. These new signatories include many more politicians, academics and NGOs, alongside human rights activists, former diplomats, human rights, representatives of civil society organisations and countless individual citizens from across the world. | |
| We are honoured to be adding Jan Kavan, former president of the UN General Assembly and former foreign minister and deputy prime minister of the Czech Republic; John Pilger; Richard Williams MP; fifteen new organisations; a further twelve professors alongside other academics, lawyers, doctors and countless citizens whose profession is unknown. | |
| The letter was conceived in urgent haste and distributed on a bank holiday, so we feel such a strong response indicates a strong - and international - will to see Abdulhadi al-Khawaja released immediately and unconditionally. | |
| This belief is buttressed by the 15 major international NGOs who yesterday co-signed a letter to President Obama, calling on him to publicly urge for Khawaja's release. | |
| 10.28am: Syria: Security forces have summarily executed scores, and possibly hundreds, of civilians and opposition fighters during their intensified offensive on cities and towns since December 2011, Human Rights Watch says today, in a new report entitled "In Cold Blood". | 10.28am: Syria: Security forces have summarily executed scores, and possibly hundreds, of civilians and opposition fighters during their intensified offensive on cities and towns since December 2011, Human Rights Watch says today, in a new report entitled "In Cold Blood". |
| In cases documented by Human Rights Watch, at least 85 victims were described by witnesses as residents who did not take part in the fighting, including women and children. The report describes in detail several cases of mass executions of local residents, including the killing of at least 13 men at the Bilal mosque in Idlib on March 11, 2012; the execution of at least 25 men during a search and arrest operation in the Sultaniya neighborhood of Homs on March 3, 2012; and the killings of at least 47 people, mainly women and children, in the 'Adwiyya, Karm al-Zaytoun and Refa'i neighborhoods of Homs on March 11-12, 2012. | In cases documented by Human Rights Watch, at least 85 victims were described by witnesses as residents who did not take part in the fighting, including women and children. The report describes in detail several cases of mass executions of local residents, including the killing of at least 13 men at the Bilal mosque in Idlib on March 11, 2012; the execution of at least 25 men during a search and arrest operation in the Sultaniya neighborhood of Homs on March 3, 2012; and the killings of at least 47 people, mainly women and children, in the 'Adwiyya, Karm al-Zaytoun and Refa'i neighborhoods of Homs on March 11-12, 2012. |
| HRW also documented the execution of at least 16 opposition fighters whom the Syrian security forces shot at point blank range after they had been captured or wounded, | HRW also documented the execution of at least 16 opposition fighters whom the Syrian security forces shot at point blank range after they had been captured or wounded, |
| One witness told HRW about the incident at Bilal mosque: | One witness told HRW about the incident at Bilal mosque: |
| They kept 18 people, including the 13-year-old brother of a man they could not find, and three women. They brought them inside the mosque. Then they brought 13 of them back out again. They were blindfolded. They put them against the wall of the mosque. Then 13 army soldiers were placed in front of them and opened fire with their Kalashnikovs. The commander then shot them with his arm at point-blank range in the head. | They kept 18 people, including the 13-year-old brother of a man they could not find, and three women. They brought them inside the mosque. Then they brought 13 of them back out again. They were blindfolded. They put them against the wall of the mosque. Then 13 army soldiers were placed in front of them and opened fire with their Kalashnikovs. The commander then shot them with his arm at point-blank range in the head. |
| HRW says the UN security council should: | HRW says the UN security council should: |
| • Demand that Syria ends "widespread human rights abuses" • Authorise deployment of monitors to supervise compliance with Kofi Annan's peace plan • Refer the situation in Syria to the international criminal court • Secure access for humanitarian missions. | • Demand that Syria ends "widespread human rights abuses" • Authorise deployment of monitors to supervise compliance with Kofi Annan's peace plan • Refer the situation in Syria to the international criminal court • Secure access for humanitarian missions. |
| It also lists a series of recommendations to all countries, the Arab League, Russia and China specifically and the Syrian government. | It also lists a series of recommendations to all countries, the Arab League, Russia and China specifically and the Syrian government. |
| HRW says the report "is based on more than 30 interviews with witnesses to executions whom HRW interviewed in person or over the phone ...For some of the incidents, HRW interviewed separately several witnesses who provided similar, detailed accounts of the executions. In three of the cases there is also video or photo evidence that support the eyewitness accounts. We have also included in this report cases that are based on interviews with one witness when we found the witness to be credible and when other aspects of their accounts were independently verified. These cases should be investigated further." | HRW says the report "is based on more than 30 interviews with witnesses to executions whom HRW interviewed in person or over the phone ...For some of the incidents, HRW interviewed separately several witnesses who provided similar, detailed accounts of the executions. In three of the cases there is also video or photo evidence that support the eyewitness accounts. We have also included in this report cases that are based on interviews with one witness when we found the witness to be credible and when other aspects of their accounts were independently verified. These cases should be investigated further." |
| 10.10am: Tunisia: More on yesterday's trouble in the capital. The Tunisia Live news website says: | 10.10am: Tunisia: More on yesterday's trouble in the capital. The Tunisia Live news website says: |
| The protest was organised by a number of civil society organisations to commemorate the Martyrs' Day. Many separate, peaceful marches started from different points. One protest started from the headquarters of UGTT [trade union] in Mohamed Ali Square, downtown Tunis. Another began in Mohamed V Avenue with the aim to meet at Habib Bourguiba Avenue. | The protest was organised by a number of civil society organisations to commemorate the Martyrs' Day. Many separate, peaceful marches started from different points. One protest started from the headquarters of UGTT [trade union] in Mohamed Ali Square, downtown Tunis. Another began in Mohamed V Avenue with the aim to meet at Habib Bourguiba Avenue. |
| As marchers descended on the avenue from several different directions, police replied with teargas and baton charges. For several hours running battles between protesters and police – some wearing balaclavas and others in plain clothes – occurred in the streets leading to the avenue. Violent skirmishes occurred on rue de Caire, rue de Marseille, rue de Paris, as well as around the main train station on Place Barcelone. | As marchers descended on the avenue from several different directions, police replied with teargas and baton charges. For several hours running battles between protesters and police – some wearing balaclavas and others in plain clothes – occurred in the streets leading to the avenue. Violent skirmishes occurred on rue de Caire, rue de Marseille, rue de Paris, as well as around the main train station on Place Barcelone. |
| On Saturday, police also used teargas and batons against some 400 unemployed graduates and activists who were holding a right-to-work march. The protesters were reportedly dispersed as they attempted to reach Avenue Bourguiba. | On Saturday, police also used teargas and batons against some 400 unemployed graduates and activists who were holding a right-to-work march. The protesters were reportedly dispersed as they attempted to reach Avenue Bourguiba. |
| 9.59am: Syria: Despite the claims by the opposition of ongoing violence, Syria's foreign minister Walid al-Moualem says its troops have already pulled back from some cities. After talks with the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, in Moscow, he told reporters that Syria wanted a say in the composition of an international team to observe implementation of a ceasefire in the country. | 9.59am: Syria: Despite the claims by the opposition of ongoing violence, Syria's foreign minister Walid al-Moualem says its troops have already pulled back from some cities. After talks with the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, in Moscow, he told reporters that Syria wanted a say in the composition of an international team to observe implementation of a ceasefire in the country. |
| "An end of violence must be simultaneous with the arrival of the international observers," he said. | "An end of violence must be simultaneous with the arrival of the international observers," he said. |
| Lavrov said that he had urged the Syrian government to act "more decisively" to implement the plan but added that foreign states should use their influence on opposition groups to press for an immediate ceasefire. Lavrov said: "We told our Syrian colleague ... we think their actions could be more active, more decisive in regard to the fulfillment of the points of the plan." | Lavrov said that he had urged the Syrian government to act "more decisively" to implement the plan but added that foreign states should use their influence on opposition groups to press for an immediate ceasefire. Lavrov said: "We told our Syrian colleague ... we think their actions could be more active, more decisive in regard to the fulfillment of the points of the plan." |
| He said Syrian opposition groups must also be committed to Annan's plan and called on foreign states with influence on them to use it to promote an immediate ceasefire. | He said Syrian opposition groups must also be committed to Annan's plan and called on foreign states with influence on them to use it to promote an immediate ceasefire. |
| Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said China hopes the Syrian government and opposition "stay with their commitment to the cease-fire and withdrawal, and create favourable conditions for easing the tension in Syria and pushing for a political resolution for the Syria issue". | Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said China hopes the Syrian government and opposition "stay with their commitment to the cease-fire and withdrawal, and create favourable conditions for easing the tension in Syria and pushing for a political resolution for the Syria issue". |
| 9.58am: Bahrain: Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has conceded the possibility of the Grand Prix taking place Bahrain later this month without all the teams competing. The Times (paywall) quotes him as saying: "If the teams don't want to go, then we cannot make them." | 9.58am: Bahrain: Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has conceded the possibility of the Grand Prix taking place Bahrain later this month without all the teams competing. The Times (paywall) quotes him as saying: "If the teams don't want to go, then we cannot make them." |
| 9.33am: Egypt: On the Arabist blog, Cairo-based journalist Issandr el Amrani considers the decision of Omar Suleiman, Mubarak's former intelligence chief, to run for the presidency. | 9.33am: Egypt: On the Arabist blog, Cairo-based journalist Issandr el Amrani considers the decision of Omar Suleiman, Mubarak's former intelligence chief, to run for the presidency. |
| Amrani says it's galling to see Suleiman – often referred to as Egypt's "torturer-in-chief" – claiming democratic credentials but suggests he is unlikely to win unless the election is rigged. In the meantime, Amrani says, Suleiman "can certainly be useful" in stirring up sentiment against the Muslim Brotherhood – "especially if he uses some of the documents and recordings he no doubt has saved from his years as spy chief". | Amrani says it's galling to see Suleiman – often referred to as Egypt's "torturer-in-chief" – claiming democratic credentials but suggests he is unlikely to win unless the election is rigged. In the meantime, Amrani says, Suleiman "can certainly be useful" in stirring up sentiment against the Muslim Brotherhood – "especially if he uses some of the documents and recordings he no doubt has saved from his years as spy chief". |
| 9.29am: Syria: The Local Co-ordination Committees activist group has linked to video it says is of tanks in the Damascus suburb of Douma this morning. | 9.29am: Syria: The Local Co-ordination Committees activist group has linked to video it says is of tanks in the Damascus suburb of Douma this morning. |
| The LCC also claims the following breaches of the ceasefire are taking place: | The LCC also claims the following breaches of the ceasefire are taking place: |
| Aleppo: Mareh: The regime's army shells the city with planes and heavy machine guns | Aleppo: Mareh: The regime's army shells the city with planes and heavy machine guns |
| This video purports to show smoke above Mareh today caused by shelling by government forces: | This video purports to show smoke above Mareh today caused by shelling by government forces: |
| Deraa: Alma: The regime's army raid the area and is randomly shelling the town using war aircraft | Deraa: Alma: The regime's army raid the area and is randomly shelling the town using war aircraft |
| Deraa: Sanamain: The regime's army raided the town and besieged a number of neighborhoods after conducting an arrest campaign that reached dozens of activists | Deraa: Sanamain: The regime's army raided the town and besieged a number of neighborhoods after conducting an arrest campaign that reached dozens of activists |
| Deraa: Tafas: The regime's army raid the city using a large number of tanks amid gunfire from anti-aircrafts and heavy weapons, and used sound grenades, in addition to a random arrest and raid campaign in the area | Deraa: Tafas: The regime's army raid the city using a large number of tanks amid gunfire from anti-aircrafts and heavy weapons, and used sound grenades, in addition to a random arrest and raid campaign in the area |
| Hama: Kafr Zeita: The regime's army surrounds the city from all points as security forces raid several homes and wage a campaign of arbitrary arrests and destruction of homes and commercial shops | Hama: Kafr Zeita: The regime's army surrounds the city from all points as security forces raid several homes and wage a campaign of arbitrary arrests and destruction of homes and commercial shops |
| Homs: Violent shelling on Old Homs neighborhoods especially Bab Duraib and Safsafa areas | Homs: Violent shelling on Old Homs neighborhoods especially Bab Duraib and Safsafa areas |
| It has also posted a video said to be of shelling in Qarabes, in Homs: | It has also posted a video said to be of shelling in Qarabes, in Homs: |
| Idlib: Areeha: Aircraft flying over the city accompanied with shooting from heavy weapons, and random raid and arrest campaign were reported in the area | Idlib: Areeha: Aircraft flying over the city accompanied with shooting from heavy weapons, and random raid and arrest campaign were reported in the area |
| The LCC's reports cannot be independently verified. | The LCC's reports cannot be independently verified. |
| 8.51am: Good morning. Welcome to Middle East Live. Today we shall be monitoring events in Syria after the passing of the ceasefire deadline, as well as unrest in other parts of the region. | 8.51am: Good morning. Welcome to Middle East Live. Today we shall be monitoring events in Syria after the passing of the ceasefire deadline, as well as unrest in other parts of the region. |
| Syria | Syria |
| • Syrian government forces show no sign of meeting today's deadline for a ceasefire and withdrawal from population centres. Reuters, citing local activists, reports that tanks fired two shells in the city of Homs around 2am this morning and that tanks remain on the streets of Douma, a Damascus suburb. | • Syrian government forces show no sign of meeting today's deadline for a ceasefire and withdrawal from population centres. Reuters, citing local activists, reports that tanks fired two shells in the city of Homs around 2am this morning and that tanks remain on the streets of Douma, a Damascus suburb. |
| • Turkey's prime minister, on a visit to China, says he is considering what steps to take after Syrian forces opened fire on a refugee camp on the Turkish side of the border. Witnesses say two people in the camp were killed. The Syrian troops are reported to have been attacking rebels who fled towards the camp after ambushing a Syrian military checkpoint, killing six soldiers. | • Turkey's prime minister, on a visit to China, says he is considering what steps to take after Syrian forces opened fire on a refugee camp on the Turkish side of the border. Witnesses say two people in the camp were killed. The Syrian troops are reported to have been attacking rebels who fled towards the camp after ambushing a Syrian military checkpoint, killing six soldiers. |
| • Syria has offered "warm condolences" to the family of cameraman Ali Shaaban of al-Jadeed TV who was killed on the Lebanese border yesterday. The Syrian government news agency said he was shot during a firefight with "an armed terrorist group" that was trying to infiltrate the country. A reporter who survived said the TV crew came under fire "from the Syrian side" as they were taking footage of Syrian territory from inside Lebanon and after they had had "greeted the Syrian forces guarding the borders". | • Syria has offered "warm condolences" to the family of cameraman Ali Shaaban of al-Jadeed TV who was killed on the Lebanese border yesterday. The Syrian government news agency said he was shot during a firefight with "an armed terrorist group" that was trying to infiltrate the country. A reporter who survived said the TV crew came under fire "from the Syrian side" as they were taking footage of Syrian territory from inside Lebanon and after they had had "greeted the Syrian forces guarding the borders". |
| • Syrian foreign minister Walid al-Moallem has arrived in Moscow for talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. We shall be following developments there during the course of today. | • Syrian foreign minister Walid al-Moallem has arrived in Moscow for talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. We shall be following developments there during the course of today. |
| Bahrain | Bahrain |
| • UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has urged Bahrain to consider transferring Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, the jailed hunger striker, to Denmark for medical treatment on humanitarian grounds. Khawaja, who has Danish citizenship, has been refusing food since 8 February. The authorities in Bahrain have so far refused to hand him over to Denmark on the grounds that Bahraini law prevents transfers of "accused and convicted persons to foreign countries". | • UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has urged Bahrain to consider transferring Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, the jailed hunger striker, to Denmark for medical treatment on humanitarian grounds. Khawaja, who has Danish citizenship, has been refusing food since 8 February. The authorities in Bahrain have so far refused to hand him over to Denmark on the grounds that Bahraini law prevents transfers of "accused and convicted persons to foreign countries". |
| • There is continuing speculation that the Formula One Grand Prix, due to be held in Bahrain on April 22 may yet be cancelled. Some of the F1 teams have reportedly been issued with alternative plane tickets that will take them straight home from the race in China on April 15 – missing out Bahrain. | • There is continuing speculation that the Formula One Grand Prix, due to be held in Bahrain on April 22 may yet be cancelled. Some of the F1 teams have reportedly been issued with alternative plane tickets that will take them straight home from the race in China on April 15 – missing out Bahrain. |
| Tunisia | Tunisia |
| • At least 15 civilians and eight police were injured during protests in Tunis yesterday, AFP reports. Police used teargas and batons against a march in Avenue Bourguiba – the city's main thoroughfare – where the government recently announced a ban on demonstrations. | • At least 15 civilians and eight police were injured during protests in Tunis yesterday, AFP reports. Police used teargas and batons against a march in Avenue Bourguiba – the city's main thoroughfare – where the government recently announced a ban on demonstrations. |