Bombing in Damascus today.

 First here's an article about the bombing.

ALJAZEERA INTERVIEW WITH COLONEL ASA'AD Today
-Anchorman: Colonel Riad Al Asa’ad, as a military expert, how would you describe the bombing in Al Midan today that resulted in the killing of more than 25 people?
- First, may mercy be granted to the martyrs. Second, the regime is starting to lose control over itself  because of the Syrian Revolution.This operation is just like the two earlier bombings in Damascus. We are used to this ever since the 80s. Why did the bombing take place in al Midan, Damascus, which is one of the most respectable cities in Damascus? And Al Midan is holding protests. The regime is doing this to terrorise the people and convince them with their lies.
WE DON’T HAVE THE KIND OF EQUIPMENT THAT ENABLES US TO MAKE AN OPERATION LIKE THIS, AND NO POLICTICAL PARTY IN SYRIA HAS THAT POWER.
-Do you still insist on taking the Syrian situation to the international community?
-THE ARAB LEAGUE IS IN A WEAK STATE WHEN IT COMES TO DEALING WITH THE REGIME. THE REGIME NOW IS PLAYING WITH THE CARD OF “BOMBINGS”.
-Mufti Hasoun said that he will bring the region to an explosive situation in the Gulf region?
- THEY THREATENED TO KILL THE FAMILIES OF THE REGIME’S OPPOSERS. THEY THREATENED TO KILL MY FAMILY NAD BURN MY VILLAGE.
-Aren’t you afraid that if the Syrian situation is taken to the International Community, it will bring disaster to the Syrians?
-KILLING HAVEN’T STOPPED FOR 11 MONTHS. THERE IS NO REVOLUTION IN THE WORLD THAT CAN HOLD ON FOR 11 MONTHS. THE ARABIC REGIMES ARE HELPLESS IN FRONT OF THE SYRIAN REGIME. IF THEY CAN’T TACKLE OUR ISSUE THEY SHOULD STEP ASIDE AND PASS IT TO THOSE WHO CAN. THIS REGIME'S LANGUAGE IS KILLING, TORTURE AND DESTRUCTION.
- What is the Free Syrian Army's position now in Syria, and what are its future prospects?
- WE ARE FROM THE PEOPLE AND WE SWORE TO PROTECT THE SYRIAN PEOPLE WHEN WE FIRST ENLISTED IN THE ARMY. IT IS OUT DUTY TO PROTECT THE SYRIANS AND PROTESTORS.THE SYRIAN REGIME TOOK ADVANTAGE OF OUR LATEST STATEMENT.
- Can the FSA hold on and increase its numbers?
- WE HAVE BATTALIONS IN ALL SYRIAN REGIONS. THE FSA ARE ORGANIZED AND WE ARE DOING INDIVIDUAL OPERATIONS, AND YOU SAW THAT. THE NUMBER OF DEFECTIONS ARE INCREASING EVERYDAY

-Making the revolution a military one, isn't that a strategic mistake?
-NEVER. WE HAVE THE REIGHT TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND CITIZENS AS WELL.
THE REGIME IS TRYING TO IGNITE A SECTERAIN WAR BY KILLING AND TERRORIZING PEOPLE. IT IS OUR FAITH TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE UNITY OF OUR COUNTRY WITH ITS ENTIRE SPECTRUM. THESE PEOPLE HAVE STOOD IN THE FACE OF OPPRESSION FOR FORTY YEARS

This was translation of interview with head of Free Syrian Army by Al Jazeera. The original interview was in Arabic. 

 

Montreal Boxing day - Flash Mobs of 99%, Syrian Collective & annonymous

Syria deceiving the Arab League???

Would the Syrian Regime do that?  Damn right they would. It's crazy that the Syrian Regime still thinks we believe their crazy lies. 

Here's a BBC article about the situation.

Here's an interview with a guy who's just defected: [Video was in Arabic so no point in posting it here]

What is your motive behind this defection?

I just can’t accept what is being said about armed and terrorist groups. And no sane mind can take that! And I assure you that there is NO armed groups on the streets, just peaceful protestors.
The ministry of defense, which he works in, is surrounded by intelligences branches. We saw the arrested individuals being blind folded and handcuffed behind their backs and taken to the intelligences basements (where they are tortured)
I saw the security forces with their vehicles and 4x4 cars moving towards the protestors to kill them.

The Free Syrian Army: they are honorable people which I know, since I work at the ministry of defense, they defected because they weren’t able to kill the protestors as they were ordered.
Reporter: You may be accused of repeating what the opposition is saying and there is no evidence or collaboration to what you are saying. How do you reply to that?
I was the one responsible for the financial reports. The Syrian Regime spent 2 billion Syria pounds to pay their thugs and all these are documented. And I saw with my own eyes they paid the shabiha to kill the protestors.

What is your opinion regarding the ministers and government official inside Syria?
- I believe they are “incarcerated”
How can you describe the state of the Syrian Regime? Especially that the opposition says that there are a lot of people who are waiting for the proper time to defect
“The regime is collapsing, it is falling apart.”
The regime is bombing the cities with airplanes especially the cities that represent a mighty state like Homs and some towns in Damascus Rural. The situation is out of their control”
I can assure you that 80% of the Syrian officials want to defect but they fear their lives and their families’ lives as well, so they calculate each step they want to take. I know because I am one of them.

How can you describe the regime’s financial situation?
It is too bad. They are receiving financial help from Iran, Iraq, and rich business men who support the regime like Rami Makhlouf. They are doing this thinking that they can control the revolution but they can’t and will not because the revolution is chantingr “to die is better than to live humiliated”. I saw the protestors and have taken part in protesting as well. I used old Arabic clothes, in order not to be recognized, and shared in the protests.

Protest in front of the Syrian Consulate in Montreal on December 24th, 2011

Boycotting Jean Coutu's that are owned by Ms Kanou

The following are letters that can be emailed or snail mailed to Jean Coutu. They are in English and French. Feel free to participate!

****************************************************

In English :

Ms Nelly Kanou is the Syrian Honorary Consul General in Montreal and is the owner of the following Jean Coutu pharmacies in Montreal:

...
Nelly et Tania Kanou pharmaciennes,

237 boul De La Cote-vertu, Saint-Laurent QC,

514-331-2134

Nelly et Tania Kanou pharmaciennes,

740 boul de la Côte-Vertu, St-Laurent, QC,

514-744-2555

Pharmacie Jean Coutu - Nelly & Tania Kanou

475, boulevard de la Côte-Vertu, St-Laurent QC,

514-744-0203

Pharmacie Jean Coutu - N.T. Kanou & S. Marachian

5855, boulevard Gouin O, Montréal QC,

514-334-8641

Ms Nelly Kanou is the representative of the Syrian government in Montreal and has been a vocal supporter of the president of Syria, Bashar Alassad, accused of crimes against humanity. According to Human Rights Watch, the UN General Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International, torture, rape and execution of men, women and children are systematically used by the Syrian regime. Since the 15th of March 2011, Syria has witnessed a nation wide uprising demanding freedom, dignity and democratic institutions. The latest statistics have documented 5300 deaths, 351 children killed, 235 females killed, more then 25000 injured, more then 5000 missing, 191 protesters killed under torture, more then 59000 protesters incarcerated, more then 17000 refugees since the 15th of March 2011. In addition, testimonies from Syria and Amnesty international have reported that hospital workers suspected of treating protesters and others injured in the unrest have been faced with arrest and torture.

It is disgraceful that a Canadian healthcare provider has decided to support and align itself with a criminal and fascist regime. We call on Jean Coutu Group Inc to disassociate itself from Ms Nelly Kanou, representative of a criminal dictatorial regime. We further call on consumers to boycott the Jean Coutu pharmacies that are owned by Ms Nelly Kanou.

En Français :

Comme vous le savez, depuis le 15 mars 2011, le peuple Syrien descend chaque jour dans les rues pour demander la liberté, la dignité et l'instaurations des institutions démocratiques. La réponse du régime dictatorial de Bachar El-Assad est tout simplement le feu et le sang. Sous le prétexte non crédible de la présence de groupes terroristes armés, il bombarde par char, avions et navires de guerre les villes syriennes et leurs quartiers résidentiels pour mater les manifestations. D’après les dernières statistiques, plus de 5300 civils ont été tuées, dont 351 enfants et 235 femmes, plus de 25000 de blessés, plus de 59000 de prisonniers, 191 de détenus morts sous la torture, et plus de 17000 réfugiés. De plus, les professionnels de la santé, qui tentent de porter secours aux blessés, font face à la torture et à l’arrestation voire à la liquidation physique, selon des témoignages recueillis en Syrie et par Amnesty International. Selon Human Rights Watch, la Commission des droits de l’Homme des Nations-Unies et Amnesty International, meurtre, torture, viol et emprisonnement de femmes, d’enfants et d’hommes sont systématiques en Syrie contre les manifestants.

Par ailleurs, de nombreuses condamnations internationales ainsi que des sanctions économiques et autres ont été annoncées et mises en application. Le gouvernement canadien a fait une contribution à ce niveau. Citons à titre d'exemple la compagnie pétrolière et gazière SUNCOR de 1.2 milliards de $ d'investissement en Syrie y a suspendu ses opérations.

Mme Nelly Kanou est Consul Honoraire Général de Syrie à Montréal et copropriétaire de 4 pharmacies Jean-Coutu dont voici les adresses:

1- Nelly et Tania Kanou pharmaciennes,

237 boul de La Cote-vertu, Saint-Laurent, QC,

514-331-2134

2 - Nelly et Tania Kanou pharmaciennes,

740 boul de la Côte-Vertu, St-Laurent, QC,

514-744-2555

3- Pharmacie Jean Coutu - Nelly & Tania Kanou

475, boulevard de la Côte-Vertu, St-Laurent QC,

514-744-0203

4 - Pharmacie Jean Coutu - N.T. Kanou & S. Marachian,

5855, boulevard Gouin O, Montréal QC,

514-334-8641,

Mme Nelly Kanou, de par le fait qu'elle est consul, représente le régime d'Assad reconnu du monde libre comme criminel et accusé de crime contre l'humanité. Sans le Véto russe, nombreuses de ses personnalités auraient été traduites en Cour Pénale Internationale (CPI).

Il est tout à fait inacceptable qu' une professionnelle de la santé comme Mme Kanou de citoyenneté québécoise et canadienne soit complice d'un tel régime. Ainsi ne peut-elle que ternir la brillante et bonne réputation des Pharmacies Jean-Coutu.

Nous exhortons le Groupe Jean-Coutu Inc. de se dissocier de Mme Kanou et d'arrêter de fournir le nom de Jean- Coutu et tout ce qui s'en découle tant et aussi longtemps qu'elle participe indirectement au crime contre l'humanité du régime d'Assad. Aussi, lançons-nous bientôt une campagne auprès des consommateurs pour boycotter les pharmacies appartenant à Mme Kanou.

Monitors in Syria

I'm not sure how useful the Arab League monitors have been in Syria, this is an article on the subject.

Also,Very important video of what happened at a Bab Dreib Checkpoint yesterday, where soldiers defected in the sight of the Monitors... (seen on the roof top, and at the checkpoint itself). This is the 'Hospital Checkpoint' one of the bloodiest in Homs. 

The videographer says 'this is the first time we ever get this close to the checkpoint'.The people are chanting for the Monitors to ask the soldiers 'why did they shoot at us... why are our brothers in the army killing us?' Then the people hand out revolution flags to the soldiers and say 'why don't you defect... no one can harm you now?' Then one of the soldiers points to shabiha next to the blue sandbags, and say 'it is them, NOT the army (that is firing).' 

The activist, even as two shabiha approach, says please tell the world 'This is a children's hospital' ...and Where are the 'armed gangs'? If you were facing armed gangs would you walk and stand like that?'

It is also very noticeable that the monitors are not afraid of the activists..

Without the youth, this revolution cannot be won. Here are stories from University Students of the revolution. 

 

Merry - bah Humbug

It's hard to get in the Christmas spirit when I know my friends in Syria are suffering. If they aren't being bombarded by the Syrian regime's tanks, or fired upon by snipers as they go about their daily activities, they are short on food and water, medications and infant formula, heating fuel and car fuel. 

This is supposed to be a day of peace and good will towards all mankind. It's hard to see it like that when so many are suffering. 

If I could only have 1 wish today, it would be for an all encompassing peace. That there would be no other wars.  That all arms would be destroyed and that people worked in businesses that didn't have to do with war. 

I can dream I suppose. Merry.. .whatever...

Boycotting some Jean Coutu's in Ville St Laurent!

Dear Mr. Jean Coutu,

Ms Nelly Kanou is the Syrian Honorary Consul General in Montreal and is the owner of the following Jean Coutu pharmacies in Montreal:


Nelly et Tania Kanou pharmaciennes,237 boul De La Cote-vertu, Saint-Laurent QC, 514-331-2134


Nelly et Tania Kanou pharmaciennes, 740 boul de la Côte-Vertu, St-Laurent, QC,
514-744-2555


Pharmacie Jean Coutu - Nelly & Tania Kanou, 475, boulevard de la Côte-Vertu, St-Laurent QC, 514-744-0203


Pharmacie Jean Coutu - N.T. Kanou & S. Marachian, 5855, boulevard Gouin O, Montréal QC, 514-334-8641


Ms Nelly Kanou is the representative of the Syrian government in Montreal and has been a vocal supporter of the president of Syria, Bashar Alassad, accused of crimes against humanity. According to Human Rights Watch, the UN General Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International, torture, rape and execution of men, women and children are systematically used by the Syrian regime. Since the 15th of March 2011, Syria has witnessed a nation wide uprising demanding freedom, dignity and democratic institutions. 

The latest statistics have documented 5300 deaths, 351 children killed, 235 females killed, more then 25000 injured, more then 5000 missing, 191 protesters killed under torture, more then 59000 protesters incarcerated, more then 17000 refugees since the 15th of March 2011. In addition, testimonies from Syria and Amnesty international have reported that hospital workers suspected of treating protesters and others injured in the unrest have been faced with arrest and torture.

It is disgraceful that a Canadian healthcare provider has decided to support and align itself with a criminal and fascist regime. We the Syrian Canadian Council, the Collective for Syria in Montreal, and 99% Quebec call on Jean Coutu Group Inc to disassociate itself from Ms Nelly Kanou, representative of a criminal dictatorial regime. We further call on consumers to boycott the Jean Coutu pharmacies that are owned by Ms Nelly Kanou.


Sincerely,


Syrian Canadian Council

http://www.syriancanadiancouncil.com/


Collective for Syria in Montreal

http://cfsmtl.wordpress.com/


99% Quebec

http://99quebec.com/

Bombings in Damascus by supposed "armed gangs"

Statement on the bombings of public buildings
during the Friday of "The Protocol of Death"

The Syrian Revolution General Commission a representative of the people’s movement in Syria and a group that plans, organizes and leads integral parts of the Syrian Revolution reaffirms the following: 

“The Syrian Revolution has maintained all actions to remain peaceful and has never adopted any military tactics” 

The bombings that took place in Damascus today were a familiar pathetic move from the Syrian government and a feeble attempt to plant fear and terror in the hearts of civilians. These bombings were strategically planned during the beginning few days of the International observers presence on Syrian grounds in effort to damage our peaceful movement against oppression and injustice. 

This is a repeated action Syrians have experienced back in the 80s when the Assad regime would murder their own police officers, bomb civilian and governmental buildings only to blame it on any movement they did not approve of. The very similar bombings that used to take place in the 80s were the regime’s excuse in entering different cities and committing more horrific annihilations on innocent civilians. 

We hereby denounce the Syrian Regime’s bombings of public buildings and declare that the Syrian people are very aware of this regime’s tactics. We are now more persistent to continue their mission until freedom is achieved.

23 December 2011
Syrian Revolution General Commission

Article by Al Jazeera about the car bomb which the regime tries to blame on armed gangs of course.   They want to blame al Queda, however this group loves to take credit for its actions. If they aren't taking credit, it's not their work.  The following are questions to ask yourself about this bombing: 

How did a car at Security HQ in Kafr Souseh end up 100 metres inside the main gate?

Why were there only civilians present at the Security HQ, which would normally be covered in security personnel and heavily guarded?

How did a car loaded with explosives and driven by human beings get past the many security checkpoints where IDs have to be produced and verified by computer, and where cars are routinely searched?

Many undercover reporters have confirmed that there are checkpoints every hundred metres or so in Syria...so this kind of activity can only be carried out by the regime.

Could the Regime please update the public on the safety of the detainees in the Security HQ which includes families and friends of activists, who are very concerned about their welfare. 

As this building is covered by CCTV from many angles, the Syrian regime should be able to produce the video coverage for the hours leading up to the attack, and including the attack, so the report that they are checking DNA is far fetched. Earlier video will probably show the mass exodus of regime forces and staff before the explosion

Massacre of unprecedented size

Syria's opposition urged the international community to create Bosnia-style "safe zones" in the country after government forces surrounded more than 100 civilians sheltering in a mountain valley and allegedly killed every single one of them. A group of 110 people, a mixture of activists organizing protests against the regime and local villagers, managed to escape, taking refuge in a nearby valley. But they were mercilessly hunted down by soldiers who surrounded them and then opened fire with artillery, tank shells and gunfire. For four hours, activists said, the group made frantic telephone calls appealing for help that never came. One villager who arrived at the scene of the massacre afterwards said those who has survived the initial onslaught had had their hands tied behind their back before being beheaded. More here.

Wounded Syrians recount tales of horrific ordeal

Tripoli, Lebanon: A small charity-run medical centre in this northern Lebanese city is quietly providing health care to a rising number of Syrians, civilians and combatants alike, who have been wounded in the nine-month confrontation against Syrian President Bashar Al Assad's regime. Many of those recovering in here are from Qusayr, a town of some 44,000 residents lying five miles north of Lebanon ...But they worry that the Lebanese authorities could place pressure on the hospital management to stop receiving Syrian casualties. The chief doctor said that Lebanese military intelligence had wanted to establish an office in the centre, but the hospital refused.

gulfnews : Wounded Syrians recount tales of horrific ordeal

Please world see that the violence has escalated to an unprecedented  level this week. When are we going to stop the Syrian regime from killing it's own people? How many more Syrians have to die before the World says ENOUGH to Bashar Al Assad and his thugs?

Humanitarian Crisis in Syria. Why is it the Arab League is BLIND?????

 

OH GOD!!!! Weeping!!!! The displaced people who have fled into the mountains from the villages of Jabal AlZawiyeh district.....in the fog and rain of yesterday... the little boy laying on the ground was shot......The videographer.... God bless him.... sharing the danger the displaced are in from Regime forces.....He asks the children.... where are your family? ....they answer .......we don't know, but we are very hungry....Oh God, what will it take for this world to help these people..;.........
PLEASE SHARE....PLEASE HELP GET THIS ON EVERY NGO AND GOVERNMENT AND EMBASSY WALL....CHILD REFUGEES.... AND WOMEN AND CHILDREN...In the mountains in winter....not even coats.....

I feel old, unwanted and unattractive.

The way I'm feeling is making me feel miserable. Mostly because my feelings are so insignificant. I mean I'm upset probably because I just had a birthday.  While I'm feeling sorry for myself,  I know people who are homeless, who don't know when their next meal is going to materialize. I know the people in Syria might not have enough food, water, heating fuel, cooking fuel, required medicines or medical care, but here I am feeling miserable for myself.

I really don't have much to complain about and yet here I am feeling like someone destroyed my world. I'm having a hard time fighting the feelings and it makes me feel even worse. How can I feel sorry for myself when others are in such worse shape and they keep going.  I sit here crying over spilled milk so to speak when others have no idea where their next meal is coming from.

Arab Spring and Occupy Montreal solidarity!

A video from November 25th, 2011 - Some Occupiers from Occupy Montreal join the Syrians for a solidarity vigil with the Syrian people.

Assad maybe crazier then Gaddafi!

It's not enough that the army that answers to Bashar al Assad is killing hundreds of innocent Syrian people for no good reason. It's not enough that they are aiming to kill children - one officer said of his killing of a 2 year old is he didn't want her to become a protester. Perhaps someone should have shot him at birth to prevent him from losing his humanity!!!!

It's not enough they kill the donkeys and the cows, and scorch the fields, and blow up gas tanks so people can't heat themselves and cook food, but on top of it do so WAR GAMES??????

What is Assad trying to show the world, don't come and invade my country I have a really big gun? My dick is bigger then your dick, I can piss further away then you can? 

The Arab league is nothing but a bunch of buffoons. They are obviously waiting till there is no one left to kill in Syria to really impose sanctions. At this point it's a huge joke. 

Syrian people are dying. There are places in Syrian like Homs that need EVERYTHING. They are facing a humanitarian disaster. They need food, heating oil, medication, baby formula, clothes, blankets etc.It is not the only place in Syria that needs help in every which way.

DO NOT LET THE WORLD DO THIS TO THE SYRIAN PEOPLE!!!!!!

A letter from Father Paolo to the Syrians

Before the video starts click on the CC button on the bottom right for the English subtitles to appear.  Father Paulo gets the concept of democracy. Well worth the watch. God Bless father Paulo!

Saleh steps down but doesn't get it!!!!

One of the last things Saleh did as he FINALLY stepped down in Yemen was to give amnesty to all the people who fought for him and his government.  This is angering many Yemeni's who feel that since he signed off to leave he does not have the power to take this decision. In fact Tawakol Karmin wants an inquiry and she wants those responsible for the deaths of civilians brought to justice.

There's been historic elections in Egypt, here's hoping this newly elected government is closer to democracy then anything Egypt has ever seen.

Turkey has finally made good on it's threats to impose sanctions on Syria.  Turkey has also said it won't deal with Assad's government anymore. It's waiting to deal with a new leader of Syria.

Closer to home, several Canadian firms have been hacked over this PotashCorp bid. Sadly it doesn't seem to be the work of Anonymous to destroy the sale all together, but from a competitor who's trying to get insider information.

My biggest beef in the past 2 days though has been the fact that a Native community called Attawapiskat has been asking for help for over a month. Our officials had time to play kick out the occupiers in various cities but has not found any time to address the human crisis going on in this native community.  A bunch of protesters with tents really must be removed. Never mind that the living conditions in this native reserve are probably worse then any condition at any of the Occupy sites in Canada! Something to think about while you drink your morning coffee.

UAE releases 5 jailed Activists

This is great news for the activists in the United Arab Emirates. Five of the activists detained and jailed for more then 8 months have been pardoned and released today.

The UAE is so afraid of having an uprising Arab Spring type that it squashes any form of dissent almost instantly.  You cannot criticize those in power in the UAE, doing so can land you in jail as it did for these 5 men.

Arab league finally sees the light on Syria!

Finally the Arab league has put their foot down and the UN has come out with a report detailing human right violations.

Here's hoping that it makes a change for the people on the ground in Syria, because up until now no sanctions have had much effect on Bashar Al Assad and his cronies. 

The thing I find the most despicable is that Syrian spokesperson referred to as Wally the Mule or liar depending on who you ask, says that the US is interfering with Syria's affairs, because the Arab League is now imposing sanctions. We all know the Arab league is a puppet of the US [?!?!?!?!]. 

Well he certainly shouldn't be calling the kettle black, as he invited some Iranian, Iraqi and Lebanese [Hezbollah] forces, along with the army and various levels of security in Syria to kill the Syrian people.  Who invited foreigners into Syria? Bashar!

Here's hoping the Syrian people finally get rid of their dictator really soon. Wouldn't that be a wonderful Christmas present for them?

Standing in Solidarity with the Syrian People - November 25th in Montreal

Montreal - November 25th, 2011

It was cool last night. Other then Syrians there was a Tunisian, a Moroccan, and several French Quebecois all in support of the Syrian people!

So-so-so- solidarité avec avec le peuple Syrien!