{"id":1965,"date":"2014-12-11T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-12-11T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","slug":"assads-campaign-of-retaliation-42-unarmed-civilians-die-in-daraa-and-aleppo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dchrs.org\/?p=1965","title":{"rendered":"Assad\u2019s Campaign of Retaliation: 42 Unarmed Civilians Die in Daraa and Aleppo"},"content":{"rendered":"

Click to read the release<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Days after an attack on civilians in the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa, the Syrian regime renewed its campaign against the residents and displaced Syrians in rebel-held territories. The Syrian regime targeted densely populated areas, including an aid distribution center. These attacks are part of a retaliatory campaign, which has previously been documented by the Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies (DCHRS). In response to military defeats, the Syrian regime systematically strikes civilians in rebel-held territories. <\/p>\n

In two separate attacks, DCHRS activists recorded 42 civilian deaths and many more wounded. The first massacre took place in Jasim, a suburb of Deraa (southern Syria). The second massacre took place on the same day in Andan, a suburb of Aleppo (northern Syria). The victims included women and children. <\/p>\n

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Jasim Massacre<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Sunday the 30th of November 2014, at approximately 12:00 pm, a Syrian MiG warplane carried out two consecutive airstrikes on the northwestern suburbs of Daraa known as Jasim city. The attack targeted homes in the middle of Jasim city, far away from any military or strategic targets. The nearest military position is over 1,500 meters away from the site of the attack.<\/p>\n

In the first attack, the warplane fired four fuel-air explosive missiles on an aid distribution center. The center distributed aid to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and dozens of civilians were queuing for aid the time of the attack. The Jasim area houses a lot of IDPs from other Syrian cities, including Daraa, Quneitra, Damascus and its suburbs.<\/p>\n

The second attack targeted a residential center (the Al-Bdewi building). The strike immediately killed 15 people and wounded over 80. The scale of the attack overwhelmed the medical response teams. The poor medical facilities and supply shortages further limited the ability of medical teams to help. The wounded were transferred to Jasim field hospital and Inkhil field hospital whilst medical teams made calls for blood donations and medication.<\/p>\n

By the end of Sunday the 30th of November 2014, 27 victims have been recorded by DCHRS in addition to no fewer than 80 wounded. Almost 30 people suffered from 30 head injuries. Some of the critical cases were transferred to Jordanian hospitals.<\/p>\n

The following victims were documented:
\n 1- Mohannad Tou’ma Al-Khatib, from Daraa \u2013 Jasim.
\n http:\/\/goo.gl\/6JRwJw<\/a>
\n 2- Hamed As-Salkhadi.
\n 3- Zakariya Mohammad Al-Jalm, engineer, from Daraa \u2013 Jasim.
\n 4- Ahmad Mahmoud Al-Jalm. From Daraa \u2013 Jasim.
\n 5- Suhail Jehad Al-Qarfan, from Daraa \u2013 Jasim.
\n 6- Ibrahim Mustafa Al-Halqi, from Daraa \u2013 Jasim.
\n 7- Qusai Ibrahim Al-Halqi, from Daraa \u2013 Jasim.
\n 8- Adnan Nahar Al-Halqi, from Daraa \u2013 Jasim.
\n 9- Fayez Yoususf Al-Kharroub, from Daraa \u2013 Jasim.
\n 10- Majeda Al-Haji, from Daraa \u2013 Jasim.
\n 11- Victim called Um Wael As-Salkhad, her full name has not been identified, from Daraa \u2013 Jasim.
\n 12- Rabe’a Mohammad Al-Amari, from Daraa \u2013 Jasim.
\n 13- Asmaa Ahmad Farhan Al-Yatin, 29-year-old, from Daraa \u2013 Jasim.
\n 14- Fatima Ahmad Al-Amari, from Daraa \u2013 Al-Aliya, IDP.
\n 15- Qasem Mohammad Ash-Shaqran, from Daraa \u2013 Al-Faq’ie’, IDP.
\n 16- Female child Remas Trad Ash-Shaqran, three-month-old, from Daraa \u2013 Al-Faq’ie’, IDP.
\n http:\/\/youtu.be\/GIbS50F_QBo<\/a>
\n 17- Hussein Ali Kiwan, from Daraa \u2013 Tal Shehab, IDP.
\n http:\/\/goo.gl\/MmgGEg<\/a>
\n 18- Mohammad Hussein Ali Kiwan, from Daraa \u2013 Tal Shehab, IDP.
\n 19- Ahmad Hassan Ar-Refa’ie, from Daraa \u2013 Samlien, IDP.
\n 20- Ma’moun Mansour Ar-Refa’ie, from Daraa \u2013 Samlien, IDP.
\n http:\/\/goo.gl\/X2FL86<\/a>
\n 21- Majd Jamal Al-Bakri, from Daraa \u2013 Nemerr, IDP.
\n 22- Abdullah Jamal Al-Bakri, from Daraa \u2013 Nemerrm IDP.
\n 23- Khaled Mahmoud Al-Bakri, from Daraa \u2013 Nemer, IDP.
\n 24- Nedal Mahmoud As- Killed by armed groups.’di, from Daraa \u2013 Der Al-Adas, IDP.
\n 25- Abdullah As-Swydani, from Daraa \u2013 Nawa, IDP.
\n 26- Child Yazan Ismail An-Nethami, four-month-old, from Daraa \u2013 Inkhil, IDP.
\n 27- Asmhan Adnan Al-Eid, 37-year-old, Yazan’s mother, from Daraa \u2013 Inkhil, IDP.
\n 28- Ahmad Mohammad Al-Eid, from Daraa \u2013 Inkhil, IDP.
\n 29- Female child Hanaa Abdunasser Al-Abdullah, 14-year-old, from Damascus suburb \u2013 Shab’a, IDP.
\n Video footage of the Jasim massacre can be viewed by following the links below:
\n http:\/\/youtu.be\/LowrWTzDr_g<\/a>
\n http:\/\/youtu.be\/F12WrhzICyg<\/a>
\n http:\/\/youtu.be\/za4WqTTvp9w<\/a>
\nhttp:\/\/youtu.be\/UGaAYDrHQHQ<\/a><\/p>\n

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Images from Jasim Massacre, Nov 30, 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Image of a child victim (Muhannad al-Khateb) <\/strong><\/p>\n

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Image showing burrying the victims<\/strong><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

Andan Massacre<\/strong> <\/p>\n

On the same day, Sunday the 30th of November 2014 at approximately 4:15 pm, Syrian regime warplanes targeted Andan city. Andan is located in Aleppo’s northern suburbs. Two fuel-air explosive missiles were fired into the crowded main street of the suburb.<\/p>\n

DCHRS activists recorded 13 dead and 20 wounded. The wounded were transferred to field hospitals in the city. The under resourced hospitals had to call upon the public for blood donations and medication. In addition, civil defense teams rushed to the area to try to contain the fires that had broken out following the attack. They also helped pull out people from beneath the rubble. Three bodies had become crushed by the rubble and were complete unidentifiably. <\/p>\n

By the end of Sunday 30 November 2014, DCHRS recorded the names of the following civilians who were killed in the Andan massacre. The victims include one child.
\n 30- Bassam Al-Hussein, from Aleppo Andan.
\n 31- Dibou Abdulqader, from Aleppo \u2013 Andan.
\n 32- Adel Abdurrahman Helal, from Aleppo \u2013 Andan.
\n 33- Ibrahim Hamshou, from Aleppo \u2013 Andan.
\n 34- Yassin Mohammad Ghajar, from Aleppo \u2013 Andan.
\n 35- Ahmad Yassin Ghajar, from Aleppo \u2013 Andan.
\n 36- Radwam Helal, from Aleppo \u2013 Andan.
\n 37- Ayman Abdussalam, from Aleppo \u2013 Andan.
\n 38- Nabhan Abdusssalam, from Aleppo \u2013 Andan.
\n 39- Child Mohammad Ibrahim Zarzour, 11-year-old, from Aleppo \u2013 Andan.
\n 40-42- Three unidentified victims, from Aleppo \u2013 Andan.<\/p>\n

The acts of the Syrian air force are carried out on the basis of orders from the Syrian regime. Therefore, these systematic and consecutive massacres should be considered state policy as defined by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.<\/p>\n

These two massacres constitute serious violations of international law and international norms. The massacres can be classified as a war crime under Article 8-2-b-ix of the Rome Statute, which criminalizes: “Intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects, that is, objects which are not military objectives<\/em>.”
\n With these attacks, the Syrian regime targeted residential neighborhoods and areas that provide refuge to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Under the Rome Statute, these are not legitimate military targets. These acts can be classified as a war crime under article 8-2-b-ix of the Rome Statute (amongst other articles): “Intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals and places where the sick and wounded are collected, provided they are not military objectives<\/em>”.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the regime used fuel-air explosive missiles that led to a high number of civilian casualties. The Syrian regime’s use of force against civilians can also be classified as a war crime under article 8-2-b-vi: “Intentionally launching an attack in the knowledge that such attack will cause incidental loss of life or injury to civilians or damage to civilian objects or widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment which would be clearly excessive in relation to the concrete and direct overall military advantage anticipated.<\/em>” <\/p>\n

ISIS also carries responsibility because it established military centers in the middle of residential areas. ISIS knowingly puts the lives of the civilians in danger with this decision.<\/p>\n

DCHRS appeals to the United Nations and its Secretary General to take immediate action to protect Syrian civilians from the perpetual attacks. The DCHRS warns that the silence of the international community will lead to further atrocities. In the absence of external intervention, the Assad regime will continue to shed the blood of innocent civilians. At a minimum, the DCHRS urges the international community to immediately impose a safe zone to protect Syrian civilians. <\/p>\n

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\n

Images of Andan Massacre Nov 30, 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Image of a child victim (Mohamed Ibrahim Zarzour \u2013 11 years old)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Victim Nabhan Abulsalam with his children<\/strong><\/p>\n

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For more information, please contact:<\/strong>
\n Dr. Radwan Ziadeh
\n Executive Director
\n Tel: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +1 (571) 205-3590
\nEmail: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 radwan.ziadeh@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Mr. Mojahed Ghadban
\n Communications Officer.
\n Tel: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +1 (479) 799-8115
\nEmail: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 info@dchrs.org<\/a><\/p>\n

The Damasus Center for Human Rights Studies (DCHRS)<\/a> is an independent human rights NGO that monitors the human rights situation in Syria. Established in 2005, it was initially located in the Syrian capital of Damascus. The mission of DCHRS is to promote respect for human rights in Syria. <\/p>\n

DCHRS engages in numerous documentation projects. These projects include daily casualty reports<\/a>, reports on particular massacres, and the reporting and documenting of other human rights violations. DCHRS has also works to lobby and advocate for Syrian human rights, and aims to draw the world’s attention to the deteriorating human rights situation in Syria. <\/p>\n

Since the beginning of the Syrian revolution, the center has expanded its activities, working to coordinate and communicate with activists. At this time, the center began documenting the daily violations committed by Syrian regime forces, many of which can be classified as crimes against humanity or war crimes. As the conflict developed, DCHRS expanded its monitoring activities to all armed groups. <\/p>\n

Human rights violations recorded by DCHRS have included (but are not limited to): extrajudicial killings, massacres, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, rape, and torture. DCHRS has opened local offices in Syria<\/a> in order to document evidence concerning human rights violations on the ground. These reports have been submitted by DCHRS to many international and regional human rights organizations, as well as with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (established by the UN). <\/p>\n

DCHRS recognizes and adheres to all pertinent international human rights agreements and declarations issued by the UN. DCHRS is also a member of the following international networks:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)<\/li>\n
  2. Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN)<\/li>\n
  3. NGO Coalition for the international Criminal Court<\/li>\n
  4. International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect (ICRtoP)<\/li>\n
  5. International Coalition of Sites of Conscience (ICSC)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Days after an attack on civilians in the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa, the Syrian regime renewed its campaign against the residents and displaced Syrians in rebel-held territories. The Syrian regime targeted densely populated areas, including an aid distribution center. These attacks are part of a retaliatory campaign, which has previously been documented by the Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies (DCHRS). In response to military defeats, the Syrian regime systematically strikes civilians in rebel-held territories. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1965","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-thematic_reports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dchrs.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1965","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dchrs.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dchrs.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dchrs.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dchrs.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1965"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dchrs.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1965\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dchrs.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1965"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dchrs.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1965"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dchrs.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1965"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}