http://news.linktv.org Link TV News Videos (Filtered by topics: Assef Shawkat) en-us Fri, 20 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0700 Copyright 2011 Link Media, Inc. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-072012?start=681 A solemn convoy took place for Brigadier-Generals Assef Shawkat, Daoud Rajha, and Hassan Turkmani, reports New TV. Meanwhile, the Russian Ambassador to Syria said that Bashar al-Assad is ready to step down, but in a "civilized way." Fri, 20 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-072012 Israel, Burgas, 2011-2012 Saudi Arabia protests, Hezbollah, Foreign relations of Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria, Muslim, Rohingya, El-Mahalla El-Kubra Presenter, Male #1 Israel has interrupted the chapter of settling its accounts with Syria, and has turned its attention to Lebanon. Since the tourist bus bombing in Bulgaria, Tel Aviv has not hesitated for one moment to accuse Hezbollah for the operation, be it Ehud Barak or Benjamin Netanyahu. And today, the accusation came from the American Pentagon, as part of the coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv to wage another campaign against the weapons of the resistance, as Israel has threatened to continue the war of terror. Presenter, Male #1 The Pentagon believes the bombing in Bulgaria is marked by Hezbollah's fingerprints; an accusation that comes without any imprints, and its evidence resembles Colin Powell's documents and maps, with which he deceived the world to believe Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. The accusation also resembles George Bush's random documents, and his war on two countries without any evidence. In Qasioun today, Syria held a funeral for its three security leaders, and bid farewell to Hisham Bekhtiar, the head of the national security bureau, who died of wounds sustained in the Damascus earthquake. Reporter, Female #1 In a solemn official convoy, a funeral was held for Brigadier-Generals Assef Shawkat, Daoud Rajha, and Hassan Turkmani at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Mount Qasioun, with the Syrian Arab flag wrapped around the coffins. It is worth mentioning that al-Manar TV broadcast a video saying the funeral was attended by Mahar al-Assad. However, Syria's official news agency SANA did not list al-Assad among the attendees, nor was he seen in any of the pictures. Reporter, Female #1 Meanwhile, the Russian Ambassador in Syria Alexander Orlov issued a statement to Radio France Internationale, saying that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is ready to step down, but in a "civilized way." The Syrian Information Ministry quickly denied the Russian ambassador's claim, saying it is completely false. Reporter, Female #1 This comes as clashes are intensifying in the capital Damascus, while the Syrian deputy defense minister said the situation on the ground is very good. He said good news will be announced soon, while the authorities said the regime's army has taken control of al-Midan neighborhood. Clashes continue in a number of the capital's neighborhoods, most notably Kfar Sousa, al-Mazzah, and al-Qaboun. The Shaam news agency confirmed that over 15 houses were destroyed in the area of Sayyida Zainab as a result of the regime army's shelling. The neighborhoods of the northern Aleppo Province are witnessing for the first time fierce battles between the regime's army and the opposition fighters, according to the Syrian Observatory. These battles are taking place in Salah al-Deen, al-Azamiyah, and al-Akramiya, in addition to the city of Bab. Reporter, Female #1 In a related development, the Iraqi army sealed Syria's main border crossing, the Bukamal crossing, with concrete blast walls. This comes one day after officials stated that Syrian opposition fighters took control of a border area on the Iraqi side. At the same time, protests were held in many areas on the Friday of the "Ramadan of Victory" in Damascus. Local Coordination Committees confirmed that nearly 100 people were killed in the violence today in different parts of the country, notably in Damascus and Hamada. In a related development, the Security Council unanimously agreed to extend the mission of the observers for one month, after making some amendments. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-operation-damascus-volcano-continues-after-blast?start=0 Government forces have still not ended what the Free Syrian Army is calling Operation Damascus Volcano, which started five days ago in the Syrian capital. Opposition forces are continuing to fight the Syrian army in the heart of Damascus. Thu, 19 Jul 2012 10:24:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-operation-damascus-volcano-continues-after-blast Battle of Damascus, Syrian Civil War, Syria, Damascus, Free Syrian Army, Syrian army, Dawoud Rajiha, Hasan Turkmani, Assef Shawkat, Street fighting Government forces have still not ended what the Free Syrian Army is calling Operation Damascus Volcano, which started five days ago in the Syrian capital. Opposition forces are continuing to fight the Syrian army in the heart of Damascus. Activists say the Syrian army has shelled areas where rebels have clashed with troops, in revenge for Wednesday's bomb attack that killed at least three top government figures. Al Jazeera's Jane Ferguson reports. http://news.linktv.org/videos/international-leaders-call-for-al-assad-to-resign?start=0 Britain and the United States have called for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to step down and UN chief Ban Ki-moon has urged the Security Council to take strong action. Thu, 19 Jul 2012 09:07:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/international-leaders-call-for-al-assad-to-resign Bashar al-Assad, Syrian Civil War, Syria, UN Security Council, Battle of Damascus, UN Security Council Resolution, Dawoud Rajiha, Assef Shawkat, Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Britain and the United States have called for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to step down and UN chief Ban Ki-moon has urged the Security Council to take strong action. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-071812?start=35 A severe blow to security in the heart of the Syrian capital Damascus led to the death of the chairman of the "crisis cell," General Hassan Turkmani, Defense Minister Dawoud Rajiha, and his aid Assef Shawkat, the Syrian president's brother-in-law, reports New TV. Wed, 18 Jul 2012 18:28:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-071812 Politics of Israel, Kadima, NATO, Afghanistan, Afghanistan War, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Haredi Judaism, Taliban, Damascus Presenter, Female #1 A severe blow to security in the heart of the Syrian capital Damascus led to the death of the chairman of the "crisis cell," General Hassan Turkmani, Defense Minister Dawoud Rajiha, and his aid Assef Shawkat, the Syrian president's brother-in-law. In addition, top military and security officials were injured. Reporter, Male #1 Wednesday morning was a normal day on Syrian TV; it was like every other day of the Syrian crisis, which has been ongoing for a year and a half, until the scene changed. Presenter, Female #2 (Syrian TV) We just received news of a terrorist bombing that targeted the National Security building in Damascus. Reporter, Male #1 At the National Security building, the "crisis cell" meets on a daily basis. It has led the country since the beginning of the mobilization. The National Security building is located in the neighborhood of al-Rawda, between the areas of Abu Romani and al-Maliki, where many embassies and government facilities are found. It is a neighborhood near the presidential palace that is described as the "security triangle." Reporter, Male #1 The security cell consists of General Hassan Turkmani, Brigadier Mohamed al-Shaar, General Dawoud Rajiha, Brigadier Assef Shawkat, Mohammad Said Bikhaitan, General Ali Mamlouk, Colonel Hafez Mamlouk, Brigadier Mohammad Deeb Zaitoun, Brigadier Jameel Hassan, Brigadier Abdul Fatah Qudsiya, and Hisham Bakhtiar. Reporter, Male #1 In a small conference room no wider than three meters, the security circle, consisting of military and intelligence leaders, or "Syria's Generals," met around a table. Information indicates that one of the security leaders' guards was wearing an explosive belt, and he blew himself up inside the hall. Presenter, Male #2 (Syrian TV) The explosion led to the death of General Dawoud Abdullah Rajiha, deputy chief of the military and armed forces, deputy prime minister, and minister of defense. And Brigadier Assef Shawkat, deputy of the defense minister. Also, a number of participants were injured. Guest, Male #3 (Colonel Malik Kurdi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Free Syrian Army) The Free Syrian Army definitely claims responsibility for this operation that was executed against this regime. We had previously vowed to move the battle to Damascus, to stop the massacres that this regime is committing against the people. Reporter, Male #1 Syrian leadership hurried to avoid the consequences of these deaths by appointing Brigadier Fahad Jassim al-Freij as Defense Minister. Guest, Male #4 (Fahad Jassim al-Freij, New Syrian Defense Minister) We count those who fell as martyrs for the sake of the pride and dignity of the state. We insist that our military's men will not be deterred by this cowardly terrorist act from continuing their sacred work, tracking the remnants of these criminal terrorist gangs, and amputating any hand that reaches out with the aim of harming the country and its citizens. Reporter, Male #1 Later, Syrian State TV announced the death of assistant to the vice president General Hassan Turkmani, as unconfirmed news circulated concerning the death of the interior minister due to the injuries he sustained. At that time, the Syrian State TV confirmed that the interior minister had survived. Guest, Male #5 (Omran al-Zughbi, Information Minister) All of the countries that have sent even one bullet-- one bullet, not a shipment of weapons, one bullet-- are responsible for what happened today. And everyone who has sent even one dollar to Syria is responsible for every drop of blood spilled on Syrian land. They are responsible, and they will be held accountable, even if they live in their palaces, in their capitals, and even if they are hiding behind their army, or behind other armies. Reporter, Male #1 An opposition group called "Liwa al-Islam Brigades" also announced on its Facebook page its responsibility in targeting the National Security office, which includes the office of crisis management, in the capital Damascus. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-on-brink-after-explosion-strikes-heart-of-assads-rule?start=0 Fierce street fighting continues in Damascus after a bomb exploded at a security meeting in the Syrian capital, killing Defense Minister Dawoud Rajha and his Deputy Assef Shawkat, who was also Assad's brother-in-law. Wed, 18 Jul 2012 17:21:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-on-brink-after-explosion-strikes-heart-of-assads-rule Battle of Damascus, Syrian Civil War, Damascus, Syria, Dawoud Rajiha, Assef Shawkat, Bashar al-Assad, Suicide attack, Street fighting, Defence minister Four of President Bashar al-Assad's inner circle are dead after a bomb exploded at their security meeting in Damascus. Syria's Defense Minister Dawoud Rajha and his Deputy Assef Shawkat, who was also Assad's brother-in-law were killed, along with Deputy Vice President Hassan Turkmani and Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim al-Shaar. Al Jazeera's James Bays reports. http://news.linktv.org/videos/raw-video-street-battles-rage-in-damascus?start=0 Street battles rage in the Syrian capital of Damascus after a day that saw three major attacks and the deaths of four top regime officials. Elsewhere, protestors have gathered to celebrate a major blow to President Bashar al-Assad's government. Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:14:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/raw-video-street-battles-rage-in-damascus Battle of Damascus, Syrian Civil War, Syria, Dawoud Rajiha, Assef Shawkat, Bashar al-Assad, Damascus, Al-Midan, Street fighting, Free Syrian Army Street battles rage in the Syrian capital of Damascus after a day that saw three major attacks and the deaths of four top regime officials. Elsewhere, protestors have gathered to celebrate a major blow to President Bashar al-Assad's government. http://news.linktv.org/videos/suicide-bomber-strikes-at-heart-of-syrian-regime?start=0 Syrian state TV is reporting a major bombing at the country's national security headquarters in Damascus. The dead include Defense Minister Dawoud Rajha and his deputy Assef Shawkat, who was also President Bashar al-Assad's brother-in-law. Wed, 18 Jul 2012 08:45:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/suicide-bomber-strikes-at-heart-of-syrian-regime Syrian Civil War, Battle of Damascus, Dawoud Rajiha, Damascus, Assef Shawkat, Syria, Bashar al-Assad, Suicide attack, Defence minister, UN Security Council Syrian state TV is reporting a major bombing at the country's national security headquarters in Damascus. The dead include Defense Minister Dawoud Rajha and his deputy Assef Shawkat, who was also President Bashar al-Assad's brother-in-law. Meanwhile, intensifying fighting in the Syrian capital is fueling fears that the embattled regime may use chemical weapons as a last-ditch defense, and concerns also remain about securing the country's stockpiles should the government fall. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-011812?start=867 Prominent Syrian dissident Kamal al-Labwani said that the fierce resistance by the Free Syrian Army and the defections from the army forced the regime to negotiate with the Free Army, Future TV reports. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-011812 Israel, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, South Sudan, Iran-Israel relations, Middle East Peace Process, Foreign relations of Israel, Beta Israel, Syrian Civil War, Manama, Bahrain Uprising Presenter, Male # 1 Al-Assad's brigades killed 20 civilians as the military campaign continues in a number of cities. The brigades heavily shelled al-Zabadani after failing to storm the city due to fierce resistance by the Free Syrian Army. Al-Assad's brigades also launched attacks on Deir az-Zour and many neighborhoods of Homs Province. Reporter, Male # 2 Homs is caught in the crossfire and its residents are under siege. Al-Assad's brigades heavily and indiscriminately shelled most neighborhoods in Homs, notably al-Bayada, Deir Baalbeh, Khalidiya, al-Kusur, al-Qusayr, and Baba Amr, with many shells falling on residential homes. Activists said Syrian security forces are using rocket launchers and firing heavily at neighborhoods holding anti-regime protests, as snipers stationed on rooftops are targeting anybody walking on the streets. Activists posted videos online showing new army defectors in al-Bayada neighborhood of Homs pledging to protect civilians from the violence of al-Assad's brigades. Guest, Male # 3 It's a defensive mission against al-Assad's army, the security forces, and the shabeha, and that is because of Iran and Hezbollah's interference. Reporter, Male # 2 The security tension extended to Jabal al-Zawiyah in Idlib, where activists said al-Assad's brigades targeted the village of al-Bara with heavy weaponry and machine guns, amid reports of one shell falling in a residential area. The same sources said Syrian forces, backed by tanks, are surrounding many areas in Daraa Province as an arrest campaign is carried out in Jassem. Under these conditions, it was reported that the Syrian army withdrew from the city of al-Zabadani in the countryside of Damascus after the Free Syrian Army foiled the Syrian security's plan to storm the city. Al-Zabadani has been subjected to a military operation since last Friday, described as the largest since the arrival of Arab observers to the country. Prominent Syrian dissident Kamal al-Labwani revealed that the fierce resistance by the Free Syrian Army and the defections from the army forced the regime to negotiate with the Free Army and agree to withdraw its forces from al-Zabadani. Al-Labwani said the agreement was reached between the leaders of the city and General Assef Shawqat, the brother-in-law of President Bashar al-Assad. The opposition's supporters quickly took to the streets of their city, chanting anti-Assad slogans. Guest, Male # 4 Zabadani; January 18, 2012; after the complete withdrawal of Assad's soldiers from the city of al-Zabadani. Reporter, Male # 2 In a video posted online, the Free Syrian Army-affiliated battalion of Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib in Zabadani reviewed the outcome of the battles it waged against al-Assad's brigades in the city in the past few days. Guest, Male # 5 The destruction of two tanks, two armored vehicles, and a troop carrier, in addition to killing over 35 shabeha. Reporter, Male # 2 In conjunction with these developments, the opposition's social networking pages circulated a video clip showing shabeha members being questioned by the Free Syrian Army after their arrest in al-Zabadani. In another video clip, a Syrian tank is seen engulfed in flames. The opposition said the Free Syrian Army shelled it in al-Zabadani as Syrian security forces tried to storm the city. As the crackdown and violence continues, mass anti-regime protests were held in many cities and towns, demanding that the international community immediately stop the bloodshed in Syria.