http://angryarab.blogspot.com/
Infiltration in Syria<http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2012/03/infiltration-in-syria.html> Based on the damage that the Syrian National Council and the Free Syrian Army have done to the cause of the Syrian popular uprising, I am convinced that both groups are deeply infiltrated by the regime agents. Posted by As'ad AbuKhalil Military Council Inc<http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2012/03/military-council-inc.html> "Foreign firms have also pursued partnerships with Egypt’s military producers in order to secure a piece of Egypt’s roomy market for renewable energy and environmental cleanup projects. China signed a memorandum of understanding with the AOI for collaboration in solar and wind energy projects. European firms have also been active in this area. German and Danish companies have concluded licensing agreements and technology transfers with the AOI to generate wind energy, while Spanish and Canadian firms are partnering with the AOI to build a photovoltaic plant near Cairo. Other environment-related projects in which Military, Inc. is involved include wastewater treatment, waste incineration and kits for converting vehicles to operate on natural gas. A report compiled by Cairo University’s Faculty of Engineering highlighted the military’s capacity to manufacture the components necessary for a renewable energy industry, and many commercial attachés at foreign embassies also stress the investment potential in these areas. Such marketing devices have paid off: Germany invested 50 million euros in rice straw recycling, building two factories in collaboration with the AOI. [15]<http://www.merip.org/mer/mer262/egypts-generals-transnational-capital#_15_>The rice straw is to be pressed and transported under a contract concluded with another military institution, the National Service Projects Organization. [16]<http://www.merip.org/mer/mer262/egypts-generals-transnational-capital#_16_> The army’s drive to gain access to transnational capital is further reflected in the rhetoric of the newly appointed minister for military production, Maj. Gen. ‘Ali Sabri, who oversaw the expenditure of 1 billion Egyptian pounds (about $166 million) to expand the military’s fertilizer production and water treatment and sanitation operations in 2006-2008. Although Sabri has made many of the same pronouncements as his predecessor regarding job training for young graduates and industrial development in remote areas, he has been especially fond of pointing to the numerous foreign partnerships the military has secured with the US, Russia, Great Britain, China, South Africa, France, Germany and Italy. In a barrage of press interviews following his appointment, Sabri cited a long list of the military’s economic successes, including a 5 percent growth in production in the period after the uprising began, the completion of Egypt’s first (and according to Sabri’s statements, the region’s only) hot steel rolling mill, the scheduled completion of an industrial complex on a desert road northeast of Cairo, and the intensification of commercial joint ventures with major international companies that were “keen” to move ahead with planned expansion despite continued political unrest. The SCAF has also succeeded in restarting talks on some of the public-private partnerships that were put on hold when foreign investors demanded enhanced guarantees against currency fluctuations and political risk. The primary sectors targeted for public-private financing -- hospitals, wastewater treatment plants and roads -- are also the traditional purview of the military and have featured prominently in Sabri’s media pronouncements<http://www.merip.org/mer/mer262/egypts-generals-transnational-capital> ." Posted by As'ad AbuKhalil Palestinian rights<http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2012/03/palestinian-rights.html> Comrade Joseph on Palestinian rights<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxantP7xFpM&feature=youtu.be>. Updates on Forgotten Bahrain<http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2012/03/updates-on-forgotten-bahrain.html> Angry Arab's chief Bahrain correspondent is back: "I have a few updates for you on Bahrain, not really updates but an analysis on where we are, a year after the uprising. Its been really interesting looking back and seeing how much has changed. Of course what I tell you know is not set in stone and things may change as more developments take place: - *The Rise of Nabeel Rajab:* the uprising in Bahrain started as a youth uprising. Just like all the other uprisings in the Arab world, it was leaderless. Now a little over a year later, it seems that the uprising has its leader, and it isn't Ali Salman from AlWefaq or Shaikh Isa Qasim. Instead its human rights activist and President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights Nabeel Rajab. Rajab is probably the only man the protestors trust mainly because he understands their grievances, sticks to his principles and openly calls for what they want. He has become very influential with them - If he says something, they will listen. The opposition can't ignore him either and he's become increasingly more daring, breaking taboos in their rallies. In the last Alwefaq rally Rajab gave a speech calling for the resignation of the King (the opposition usually sticks to the PM). Also he has become untouchable. Even the police are too scared to do anything to him right now. He has good links with overseas human rights organizations and the government knows that imprisoning him is not a good idea, so instead they have stuck to detaining him for short periods of time and attacking his house. It isn't working though. I can't see any type of negotiated solution between the opposition and the royal family working unless he gives his stamp of approval. Its been really interesting watching how he changed. Remember the letter<http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/3726>he wrote at the beginning of the uprising? You called it weak. He is definitely part of the movement now instead of just being an observer. He does have his critics though. I keep getting into an arguement with a friend who says that he is involving himself too much in the uprising instead of being a neutral human rights observer. I don't believe that human rights activists staying seperate from politics. This puts human rights in a box completely seperate from political rights where is reality there is a great amount of overlap. What is your opinion on this? I think after Rajab, Zainab AlKhawaja is probably the most influential. - *The Weakening of AlWefaq: *Its becoming clearer than ever - AlWefaq (and the rest of the opposition) is losing its appeal on the street. The rift between them and the protestors is only becoming greater. The past month, there were rumors of talks between the government and opposition and now the government has announced that there will be a comprehensive dialogue. Many people were worried that Alwefaq would compromise on the oppositions demands as outlined in the Manama Charter (elected PM, Parliament with executive powers etc.) and accept an appointed PM. The protestors msg was clear: are support for you is not unconditional. If you compromise we will continue without you. The opposition has responded to these allegations here http://www.aldemokrati.org/ar-BH/ViewNews/64/3228/bayanat.aspx?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook(arabic) and here http://www.aldemokrati.org/ar-BH/ViewNews/128/3229/Home.aspx?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter(english.) This is not to say that the legal opposition (not just alwefaq) doesn't retain influence. Their strength was shown last week in March 9 during the biggest protest since last year. Reuters estimated that 100,000 people attended but that was an hour before the protest began. A group of people I trust said that they drove down and estimated that at least 200,000 attended. Opposition I believe said 300,000. Of course the numbers might be exaggerated but however many came it was a lot (feb 2011 levels) and at least in the 10s of thousands. I was surprised that people I thought wouldn't go because they were too scared went. The opposition called on everyone to attend and everyone did. The protest by the way was in response to the King stating (I believe) that there is no opposition Bahrain or something similar. So the protestors organized this in response and the opposition joined. Of course I am not saying that the bulk of the people who attended support the Manama Document but I am saying that the a lot of their supporters who are generally too scared to come out and are not regularly protesting (the regular protestors are mostly feb 14) came out. Again, the size of this protest was shocking to me. I am hoping that there will be more protests of this size and that the protestors will be able to regain the momentum they had last year. The protest wasn't covered well by the international media but AlAkhbar had some really good coverage. - *The End of the Prime Minister:* Any astute follower of politics in Bahrain would have predicted this and now the regime is finally saying it (it slipped out pro-regime leader Shaikh AlMahmoods tongue last year in a Washington Times interview last year but he was quickly silenced). The rumors of talks between the opposition and the government are true although they aren't leading to anywhere. I know for a fact that the opposition were told that the regime has no problem with forcing the PM to step down. The problem is that the King still wants to appoint the PM and there is no way the opposition can accept this. It would be political suicide. What is interesting is that the person the opposition was speaking to is Khalid Bin Ahmed, minister of the royal court and probably responsible for (with his brother Khalifa Bin Ahmed) most of the human rights violations. He is very influential with the King. Khalid Bin Ahmed and the PM were rivals (as was the King and PM) but they stood together during the uprising. Now it seems like the royal family is finally willing to sacrifice the PM to keep their grip on power. This is of course a major achievement for the protestors since Bahrainis have been calling for the downfall of the PM since the 1970s. - *The Supposed Bahraini-Saudi Federation*: We've been hearing rumors about this for the past year. But a few weeks ago, the brother of the Kings Media advisor tweeted that a federation will be announced in the next few days. It never was. Interestingly, soon after that tweet, the Crown Prince said that Bahrains problems should be resolved locally. Now the rumor is that it will be announced in May. Bahrain is already virtually a Saudi protectorate so I'm not sure what the point of a formal federation would be. In fact it may backfire as this article in AlAkhbar English points out well: http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/whose-fourteenth-province-will-bahrain-becomeThe pro-regime have been calling for it though. Actually maybe I should stop calling them pro-regime and start calling them anti-democracy because it seems that they have no problem with the royal family relinquishing their power to AlSaud. - *Rising Anti-Americanism*: As I have said before, Bahrainis are probably one of the least anti-american in the region. Of course they have always been against American foreign policy, especially when it comes to the Palestinian cause, but they never felt that they were DIRECT victims of American foreign policy. Now, after the US' blatent support of the regime, and the selling of American weapons and tear gas to the regime, things have changed. Of course anti-americanism is also on the rise by pro-regime supporters. The majority of them seem to believe that the the protests are the result of some US-Hezbollah-Iran conspiracy. Of course any person with a few brain cells will have a hard time believing that such a conspiracy could exist. I think its difficult for them to resolve their sectarianism and support for the Bahraini government which is of course pro-american and pro-israel with their hatred for american foreign policy and Israel. Of course the Obama Administration doesn't talk about this much and its all very hush hush. Justin Grengler has been doing good work writing about this on his blog. Here's an example: http://bahrainipolitics.blogspot.com/2011/07/obama-iran-love-story-chapter-2.htmlThe Bahraini regime has also been using anti-american rhetoric to shore up support (although it is pro-american) and Khalifa Bin Ahmad AlKhalifa, commander in chief of the Bahrain Defense Forces keeps talking about the so-called conspiracy: http://www.alraimedia.com/Alrai/Article.aspx?id=334649 Its one of his favorite topics And a few updates: - Abdul Hadi Alkhawaja has been on a hungerstrike for I believe 40 days now. I can't imagine how that would feel like and I can't think of anyone in Bahrain who would have the strength to go on for that long. Of course this is causing a really big problem for the regime: If he dies then all hell will break lose. If they release him then what's their excuse for imprisoning all the other political leaders, especially Ebrahim Sharif (still my favorite politician) who never called for the downfall of the regime. The international media hasn't been really covering his story. I guess they are too bust with the leaked Assad emails and speculating as to whether he had an affair with that brunette. - Ever since Timony (apparently known for being the worst cop in America) took over training Bahrains security forces, more and more Bahrainis have been dying from the excessive use of tear gas in residential areas. Here's a great post by Physicians for Human Rights on this: http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/blog/tear-gas-or-lethal-gas.html - The solidarity people and Code Pink have really been causing a ruckus for the government. Its humorous really. The government no longer allows for visas to be obtained at the airport and to come to Bahrain you actually have to be invited. Once you are there you are usually interrogated in the airport. Welcome to Business Friendly Bahrain (that's their slogan). Business friendly indeed. Of course the fact that some of them are Palestinian and active within the Palestinian cause are a great source of embarassment. As a result, the King as you posted in your blog is apparently fighting for Palestinian rights. Huwaida Arraf by the way attended a showing of a Bahraini regime propoganda film in DC. After the film was over she stood up and criticized the film. The Bahraini Ambassador to the US responded to her and then dismissed her by saying that she was arrested for doing the same thing in other countries. Apparently she has - in Israel. - The doctors case is still going on. It keeps getting delayed. The entire thing is becoming really tiresome. Apparently the government is going to drop charges on 15 of the 20 doctors and leave 5 as scapegoats. Of course unless these 5 doctors have superhero powers, the government is going to have to come up with a more convincing explanation as to how five doctors can occupy an entire hospital (down from the original 40 something). So far this hasn't materialized though and the 20 left are still on trial. Their is a medic still in jail and being tried separately for some reason. - I am really worried about the King. I don't think he is completely there mentally speaking. Here is his humorous interview with Deir Speigel http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,814915,00.html and at another instance he says that the the alkhalifas and the baharna (arab shia) came to Bahrain together from Alzubara (Qatar) and that the uprising has distracted him from the Palestinian cause (can't find the article but you linked to it before). Very strange indeed. - The Obama Administration seems to believe that in order to retain leverage with the Bahraini government and to pressure them to reform, it must keep its strong relationship with Bahrain by selling them arms". On the walls of Cairo<http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2012/03/on-walls-of-cairo.html> <http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e6oYMs8KTd8/T2jP1iIAjMI/AAAAAAAAEE4/RrncnngYfIM/s1600/Jellyfish.jpg> "“Your gas is illuminating Israel: Take to the streets!”" (thanks Joseph) Syrian regime moguls<http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2012/03/syrian-regime-moguls.html> "After Bashar al-Asad succeeded his father in 2000, the architects of Syria’s economic policy sought to reverse the downturn by liberalizing the economy further, for instance by reducing state subsidies. Private banks were permitted for the first time in nearly 40 years and a stock market was on the drawing board. After 2005, the state-business bonds were strengthened by the announcement of the Social Market Economy, a mixture of state and market approaches that ultimately privileged the market, but a market without robust institutions or accountability. Again, the regime had consolidated its alliance with big business at the expense of smaller businesses as well as the Syrian majority who depended on the state for services, subsidies and welfare. It had perpetuated cronyism, but dressed it in new garb. Families associated with the regime in one way or another came to dominate the private sector, in addition to exercising considerable control over public economic assets. These clans include the Asads and Makhloufs, but also the Shalish, al-Hassan, Najib, Hamsho, Hambouba, Shawkat and al-As‘ad families, to name a few. The reconstituted business community, which now included regime officials, close supporters and a thick sliver of the traditional bourgeoisie, effected a deeper (and, for the regime, more dangerous) polarization of Syrian society along lines of income and region. Successive years of scant rainfall and drought after 2003 produced massive rural in-migration to the cities -- more than 1 million people had moved by 2009 -- widening the social and regional gaps still further. Major cities, such as Damascus and Aleppo, absorbed that migration more easily than smaller ones, which were increasingly starved of infrastructural investment. Provincial cities like Dir‘a, Idlib, Homs and Hama, along with their hinterlands, are now the main battlegrounds of the rebellion. Those living in rural areas have seen their livelihoods gutted by reduction of subsidies, disinvestment and the effects of urbanization, as well as decades of corrupt authoritarian rule. The Tunisian and Egyptian uprisings motivated them to express their discontent openly and together. There have been no significant defections, however, from the ranks of big business, at least not in Damascus and Aleppo. It is not just presidential blood relatives like Makhlouf who have remained loyal. Other major players hailing from the above families have stood firm by the regime, financing its orchestrated mass rallies and public relations campaigns, as well as helping to float the Syrian currency. Most malcontents limit themselves to spiriting capital out of the country and expressing private wishes for regime change. Those who do back the uprising do it quietly and extremely carefully, highlighting the fealty of their counterparts. The moguls know very well that their fate is bound up with that of the regime by virtue of intertwined investments and also their years of self-enrichment at regime behest. To switch sides would thus be an enormous gamble on the opposition’s forbearance. Big business’ support is not solely responsible for the regime’s resilience, but it would have been difficult for the regime to hold out in Damascus and Aleppo had these monied interests explicitly thrown their lot in with the protesters. The regime-business alliance took shape over decades, and it is unlikely to snap until the very last moment. Public defections by big businessmen would be a fair indicator that the regime’s days are numbered. Until then, all eyes are on the battlefield<http://www.merip.org/mer/mer262/syrian-regimes-business-backbone>." (thanks Laleh) Posted by As'ad AbuKhalil Bahrain, Syria (and Beyond) Live Coverage: The Conditions for Dialogue Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 6:29 James Miller in Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, Bahrain, Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, EA Middle East and Turkey, International Committee of the Red Cross, Iraq, Jakob Kellenberger, Middle East and Iran, Mohammed Saleh, Sergei Lavrov *See also Syria Special: Welcome to Phase Two Insurgency<http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2012/3/20/syria-special-welcome-to-phase-two-insurgency.html?tw_p=twt> Syria Snap Analysis: Deir Ez Zor & Human Rights Watch<http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2012/3/20/syria-snap-analysis-deir-ez-zor-human-rights-watch.html> Turkey Live Coverage (19 March): New Year Celebrations, Clashes, and the Syria Crisis<http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2012/3/19/turkey-live-coverage-19-march-new-year-celebrations-clashes.html?tw_p=twt> Monday's Syria (and Beyond) Live Coverage: Heavy Fighting in Damascus?<http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2012/3/19/syria-and-beyond-live-coverage-heavy-fighting-in-damascus.html?tw_p=twt> * ------------------------------ 2020 GMT: At this late hour, there are new reports of battles<http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=412823485411460&set=a.221856221174855.74557.217848338242310&type=1>between the Free Syrian Army and regime troops in Harasta<http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=215253448853172848529.0004bbad7bfdef68f982b&msa=0&ll=33.579159,36.46225&spn=0.399868,0.727158&iwloc=0004bbb2696f15f3904d2>, in eastern Damascus. The CFDPC also reports<http://www.facebook.com/CFDPC/posts/367960166568021>battles in Irbeen<http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=215253448853172848529.0004bbad7bfdef68f982b&msa=0&ll=33.579159,36.46225&spn=0.399868,0.727158&iwloc=0004bbb26ffee921e373c> . It's going to be another long night in Syria's capital. 1922 GMT: An interesting video, reportedly from Douma<http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=215253448853172848529.0004bbad7bfdef68f982b&msa=0&ll=33.509339,36.522675&spn=0.800377,1.454315&iwloc=0004bbad82c73e805ed6e>, posted by the CFDPC. It appears that the FSA soldiers are trying to scope out regime positions while remaining hidden. In other words, the FSA soldiers want to be able to shoot at the Syrian soldiers if needed, but they are trying to hide so that the regime does not have an excuse to fire. Free Damascenes @*CFDPC* <https://twitter.com/CFDPC> #*Duma* <https://twitter.com/search/%23Duma> #*Damascus*<https://twitter.com/search/%23Damascus> #*Syria* <https://twitter.com/search/%23Syria> - 20th mar 2012 arrival of members of the Free Syrian Army to protect mourners in the Duma... fb.me/1MlOAhXQZ <http://t.co/KYmV1Kyl> 20 Mar 12 <https://twitter.com/CFDPC/statuses/182175374942277633> - ***Reply*<https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=182175374942277633> - ***Retweet*<https://twitter.com/intent/retweet?tweet_id=182175374942277633> - ***Favorite*<https://twitter.com/intent/favorite?tweet_id=182175374942277633> 1817 GMT: Earlier, we posted video of yesterday's shelling<http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2012/3/20/bahrain-syria-and-beyond-live-coverage-the-conditions-for-di.html#1631>in Qa'alat al Madiq<http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=215253448853172848529.0004bbad7bfdef68f982b&msa=0&ll=35.38793,36.596832&spn=0.734439,1.454315&iwloc=0004bbaf390514a520263>, in Hama province. Now, the LCCS posts this video, a survey of the damage to the citadel <http://www.facebook.com/LCCSy/posts/328615717187636>, filmed while sporadic gunfire rings out in the distance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYYQzwe1iUk&feature=player_embedded 1806 GMT: The UN Human Rights commissioner has criticised the Bahraini government for what it calls "the use of excessive force<http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41586&Cr=Bahrain&Cr1=>" to quell demonstrations in the streets.: “The use of tear gas in particular has reportedly resulted in a number of deaths of protestors and bystanders – and that number has reportedly risen in recent months,” Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), told reporters in Geneva. “Reliable sources indicate that the civilians who died from tear gas suffered complications from gas inhalation, and that security forces have been firing metal tear gas canisters from grenade launchers into crowds,” he added. The “worrying” reports received by OHCHR of the disproportionate use of force by Bahraini security forces, include the use of teargas, birdshot pellets and rubber bullets. This development is encouraging, as it is the first step towards the international community taking a hard look at what's going on in Bahrain. EA Correspondent John Horne notes that the UN commissioner did not mention allegations that police are attacking entire neighborhoods, not just protests on the street. However, with most NGOs banned from Bahrain, these reports are more controversial, so this is the first step towards international recognition that the Bahraini government is guilty of abuses, even after the BICI report. 1641 GMT: Students protest today<http://www.facebook.com/CFDPC/posts/206054169499729>in the center of Midan<http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=215253448853172848529.0004bbad7bfdef68f982b&msa=0&ll=33.492806,36.294751&spn=0.023478,0.045447&iwloc=0004bbaf5d8dc4abfc479>, Damascus, a bold daytime protest in one of the oldest areas of the city: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkUS8bxTZMc&feature=player_embedded 1631 GMT: For the 8th day in a row there are reports of heavy shelling of the Hama town of Qa'alat al Madiq<http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=215253448853172848529.0004bbad7bfdef68f982b&msa=0&ll=35.371135,36.603699&spn=0.734592,1.454315&iwloc=0004bbaf390514a520263>. The videos below seem to confirm the rumors that we heard yesterday, that helicopters are circling overhead (you can hear them) directing artillery and tank fire. In one video, smoke rises over the citadel, while homes burn in the countryside below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9ZE98en0uY&feature=player_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMZmY8y9fMg&feature=player_embedded There are more reports of shelling there today. 1552 GMT: The Local Coordinating Committees of Syria have sent a "Nowruz" message, praising the struggles of the Kurdish people and pledging to support the Kurds in a post-Assad Syria: Every year in March, the Kurdish people face the spiteful authority of the Baath Party, which has always used conspiracy, jingoism, and racism to undermine the rich diversity of our national fabric. The regime attacks the legitimacy of Kurdish history, and limits Kurds’ eligibility for equal, democratic, national rights. These are rights that must be in line with the co‐existence of all components of Syrian society, and in accordance with the values of justice and equality, so that our national cultural mosaic may continue to contribute to our rich civilization. We also pay special tribute to the great sacrifices of the Kurdish people and the invaluable contributions of their dear sons and daughters in protecting and defending this nation, and in maintaining its independence. We bow with respect and honor in memory of the Kurdish martyrs who gave their lives to secure their rightful and legal citizenship rights in Syria. In particular, we salute the martyrs of the March 12, 2004 Uprising, who confronted the regime with bare chests, just as their brothers and sisters are doing today in the Syrian Revolution against the Mafia regime's machine of repression and murder . The Kurdish people are legendary in their epic civil resistance and civil disobedience movement. The entire Syrian nation has looked up to them in admiration, and it is a historic moment for the Syrian people to rise together against the oppression and injustice that have long plagued the Kurdish people as a result of the regime’s policy of continually denying them their national rights and questioning the legitimacy of their role in Syria . 1459 GMT: Videos like the one below (which is disturbing) remind us that this conflict is not just about numbers. The people who are dying have faces, and names, and many are children: Ahmed Al Omran @*ahmed* <https://twitter.com/ahmed> Awful: 3-year-old Ahmad al-Lazza was reportedly killed when shrapnel hit his head today in Khaldiyeh, Homs youtube.com/watch?v=_Oh0vP…<http://t.co/ySBt36EY> The Khailidiya district, in north-central Homs (see a map of the city<http://syriamap.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/homs_111115_update.jpg>) is one of many areas that are still largely controlled by the Free Syrian Army, and have been heavily shelled for many days on end. 1442 GMT: An activist network with a focus on Damascus shares this picture, originally declassified by the US government<http://www.humanrights.gov/2012/03/05/situation-in-syria/>, showing armored vehicles outside a hospital in Rankous<http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=215253448853172848529.0004bbad7bfdef68f982b&msa=0&ll=33.67064,36.489716&spn=0.749743,1.454315&iwloc=0004bbadc03b56efa852e>, a heavily besieged town north of Damascus (13 March): The CFDPC also post this video, reportedly showing armored vehicles at amilitary checkpoint outside the hospital<http://www.facebook.com/CFDPC/posts/397731133588621>. Activists claim that the military is denying entry to anyone harmed by the government shelling, and monitoring patient IDs to see if any are suspected members of the opposition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2DLS3wsrNw&feature=player_embedded 1424 GMT: According to the Local Coordinating Committees, a network of activists based in Syria, 34 people have been killed today<http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=412612718765870&set=a.221856221174855.74557.217848338242310&type=1>by security forces, "including two children and two women, fourteen martyrs in Homs, eight martyrs in Idlib, five martyrs in Hama, three martyrs in Damascus Suburbs, and a martyr in each of Damascus, Aleppo, Deir Ezzor and Lattakia." Perhaps the most inflamatory claim made by the LCCS is that the Syrian regime raided a field hospital in Idlib, killing 3 members of the medical staff<http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=412593282101147&set=a.221856221174855.74557.217848338242310&type=1> . The activists also post this video, reportedly showing a regime attack on Hamidia section<http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=215253448853172848529.0004bbad7bfdef68f982b&msa=0&ll=35.142652,36.76506&spn=0.092083,0.181789&iwloc=0004bbad7c0129867edfd>of Hama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6xIIzurvuA&feature=player_embedded And this video reportedly shows tanks moving into Douma<http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=215253448853172848529.0004bbad7bfdef68f982b&msa=0&ll=33.548548,36.367493&spn=0.187702,0.363579&iwloc=0004bbad82c73e805ed6e>, east of Damascus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyVaXEWqXVg&feature=player_embedded 1345 GMT: James Miller takes over today's live coverage from Scott Lucas, who has done a fantastic job of getting us through the morning. I'll start with a comment on the analysis I wrote last night, Syria Special: Welcome to Phase Two Insurgency<http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2012/3/20/syria-special-welcome-to-phase-two-insurgency.html?tw_p=twt> . Basically, today's developments in Deir Ez Zor prove that the FSA is evolving, and the statement from Human Rights Watch has not really told us anything we don't know - and I still maintain that sectarian violence is a very small part of the picture in Syria, though there are dangers that as things get worse it could spread. *My full analysis can be found here: Syria Snap Analysis: Deir Ez Zor & Human Rights Watch<http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2012/3/20/syria-snap-analysis-deir-ez-zor-human-rights-watch.html> * 1305 GMT: Claimed footage of security forces firing on a funeral procession for 15 victims of violence in Douma near the Syrian capital Damascus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=r4_6k_wp3v4 1300 GMT: More on the Bahraini regime's presentation of its claimed reforms.... The Bahrain News Agency posts the transcript<http://bna.bh/portal/en/news/499716>of the statement by the head of the National Commission today --- what is distinctive is what is not said. As an activist notes<http://www.twitter.com/chanadbh>, there is no mention of accountability for a single individual involved in last year's crackdown and reported abuses. Reuters, in its summary of the event<http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/20/us-bahrain-rights-idUSBRE82J0GT20120320?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FworldNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+International%29>, chooses this take-away line from King Hamad: "The doors of dialogue have and continue to be open, We want our people to feel and see the differences these changes have on their lives. The challenge of the coming months will be to translate these into tangible, cultural changes." 1100 GMT: The Bahraini regime has held its showpiece ceremony<http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/03/201232095338604841.html>for a report by the National Commission proclaiming the implementation of reforms, following November's recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry. King Hamad hailed the "significant and broad" progress, while an official of the Information Affairs Authority, Abdelaziz bin Mubarak al-Khalifa put out the message, “I would say about 90 per cent of the recommendations have been implemented, It’s been hard. We’ve had to swallow a lot of pride.” A dedicated website<http://www.govactions.bh/wps/portal/EgovBICI/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gLAxNHQ093A3f3AEcjA88AQ09DFwtDYwMzY_1wkA4kFf4GRk4GnqZG5sG-weYGzqbGeOVNPE0g8gY4gKOBvp9Hfm6qfkF2dpCFo6IiAMJPQOw!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfT0FISUdHRzBHT0Q5OTBJUFAzR0RLNDIwVTU!/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/egov+english+library/egovbici/progress+and+actions+taken/actionslist>has been set up to hail reforms such as oversight and accountability of the security forces. 1055 GMT: Insurgents have withdrawn from Deir Ez Zor<http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=274809>in northeast Syria in the face of the regime assault. "Tanks entered residential neighbourhoods, especially in southeastern areas of Deir al-Zor. The Free Syrian Army pulled out to avoid a civilian massacre," a statement by the Deir al-Zor Revolution Committees Union said. Activists also reported regime shelling of residential areas in cities of Hama and Homs and the nearby town of Rastan, killing at least 10 people. 1015 GMT: Human Rights Watch has written an open letter<http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/03/19/open-letter-leaders-syrian-opposition>to the Syrian opposition to "express...concern about increasing evidence...of kidnappings, the use of torture, and executions by armed Syrian opposition members" and to "strongly urge" co-operation so "all opposition members refrain from engaging in these unlawful practices". Evidence in the letter includes testimonies and video of kidnappings and executions of regime forces and their supporters. 0955 GMT: Raw footage from Reuters<http://in.reuters.com/video/2012/03/20/blasts-kills-at-least?videoId=231983084&videoChannel=101>of today's bombings in Iraq --- at least 39 people are now reported dead<http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/03/201232055548528660.html>and at least 188 wounded: 0805 GMT: At least 29 people have been killed<http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/20/us-iraq-violence-idUSBRE82J06U20120320>and 119 wounded in a series of car and roadside bombings across Iraq today. Twin explosions in the holy city of Karbala in the south killed 13 people and wounded 48. In the northern city of Kirkuk, a car bomb exploded near a police headquarters, killing seven people and wounding 30, while a suicide car bomber killed three and wounded 21 in central Baghdad. Blasts also occurred in Baiji, Samarra, Tuz Khurmato, Daquq, and Dhuluiya, all north of Baghdad, and Hilla and Latifiya in the south. Police in the northeastern city of Baquba said they had also found and defused eight bombs. 0705 GMT: Striking Yemeni airmen have succeeded in pressuring President Hadi to remove the commander of the air force<http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jp26B3-E8AwRRCJ3B7g9WhGwUvQA?docId=cce260b987424f54853aa4d7d23600d4>, according to a statement by the group. The low-ranking airmen have protested for more than two months for the dismissal of Maj. Gen. Mohammed Saleh, the half brother of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who stepped down last month. The air force commander has been in his post for more than 20 years. The mutiny spread to four different provinces and a number of bases. Airmen also camped out for weeks near the president's home in the capital. A military committee comprised of 14 opposition and loyalist generals has been reviewing reforms for Yemen's security forces. 0700 GMT: With fighting reaching Damascus on Monday, and after the deadly siege of parts of Homs last month, Russia has backed the Red Cross call<http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/03/201232041855953883.html>for a daily two-hour humanitarian ceasefire in Syria. Moscow's demands for an agreement "without delay" by the regime "and all armed groups who oppose it" followed talks between Red Cross President Jakob Kellenberger and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday. Russia also called for Red Cross access to "those detained in Syria for their participation in protests". 0630 GMT: We begin by highlighting Monday's statement by five leading opposition societies<http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2012/3/19/syria-and-beyond-live-coverage-heavy-fighting-in-damascus.html#1137>in Bahrain "welcoming any dialogue offering leading to a political resolution guaranteeing justice and equality and protecting interests of people from all walks of life in the country". The declaration follows weeks of tentative discussions between Al Wefaq, one of the five societies, and members of the regime. The addition of the other four groups --- Waad, the National Democratic Action Society, the Nationalist Democratic Assembly Society, the Alekha National Society, and the National Democratic Assemblage --- indicates at least a possibility of a wider negotiation. At the same time, the societies put firm conditions on any talks. Political prisoners would have to be freed, unfairly dismissed employees would have to be reinstated, justice would have to be ensured, and State media would have to cease "all kinds of political and sectarian agitation". The discussions would have to include all parties and their members, including those currently detained, and would have to a clear agenda including all significant issues. Now we wait for the regime's response.... Article originally appeared on EA WorldView (http://www.enduringamerica.com/). 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