http://news.linktv.org Link TV News Videos (Filtered by topics: Rif Dimashq Governorate) en-us Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0800 Copyright 2011 Link Media, Inc. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-112812?start=34 <p>Twin car bombings kill scores in Damascus as rebels down a warplane in Aleppo, the Obama administration seeks to codify its kill list with a drone rule book, many Afghan regions remain at the mercy of warlords, and more.</p> Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-112812 United Nations, Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinians, Jaramana, Drone, Foreign relations of Saudi Arabia, Takhar Province, Human rights in Jordan, National Center for Human Rights (Jordan), Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt Presenter, Male #1 Dozens of people were killed and dozens of others were wounded in a series of terrorist attacks that rocked the area of Jaramana in the countryside of Damascus and Daraa's suburb of Busra al-Sham. Meanwhile, warplanes launched air strikes across various regions in Aleppo, Idlib, and Homs. Reporter, Female #1 Three booby-trapped car explosions rocked Syria. Two of the blasts were launched in the mostly Christian and Druze city of Jaramana, southeast of Damascus, killing or injuring dozens of people, and causing substantial property damage to nearby shops and residential buildings. According to the official SANA news agency, terrorists detonated this morning two booby-trapped cars with a large quantity of explosives in the city of Jaramana's main square. Guest, Male #2 When your time is up, it's over. But we remain steadfast, and Jaramana remains steadfast. Jaramana and all of Syria are in good spirits. Guest, Male #3 No matter what they do, our nation will keep living, and our people will prevail. Reporter, Female #1 The third explosion targeted the city of Busra al-Sham in the countryside of Daraa, inflicting casualties. In another development, the Syrian Observatory said that opposition fighters shot down a warplane, most likely a MiG or a Sukhoi, in the area of Daret Ezza in the countryside of Aleppo. The report was also confirmed by an Agence France-Presse journalist who was near the scene of the plane crash. The Observatory said that the plane was directly hit by a surface-to-air missile. The "Ahrar Daret Ezza" brigades, a group that's affiliated with the Free Syrian Army, claimed responsibility for shooting down the plane. Guest, Male #4 Today, we repelled a MiG warplane belonging to the regime and al-Assad forces. We were able to shoot it down with God's help. Reporter, Female #1 The Observatory said that warplanes carried out air strikes on the city of Daraya in the countryside of Damascus, and the fields adjacent to the Kafr Susa neighborhood in western Damascus. In addition, the air strikes targeted several areas in the provinces of Idlib and Homs. Meanwhile, the Anadolu news agency said that earlier this week a group of NATO experts arrived to Turkey to visit the sites where Patriot anti-missile batteries are expected to be deployed along the Syrian border, as requested by the Turkish government. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-112012?start=732 <p>Britain recognizes Syria's opposition council as armed groups commit atrocities in Aleppo, Israel escalates its aggression against Gaza as ceasefire looms, clashes in Mohamed Mahmoud Street highlight lack of justice in post-revolution Egypt, and more.</p> Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-112012 Gaza–Israel conflict, Israel, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Gaza City, Syrian Civil War, Iraqi people, Ceasefire, Israel Defense Forces, Ankara, Iraq Presenter, Female #1 Armed groups in Syria committed a massacre against a family in Aleppo, as the British foreign minister announced his country's recognition of the Syrian opposition coalition, offering it one million pounds in support. Reporter, Male #1 Nine people of the same family were killed in south Aleppo City by an opposition terrorist group, according the official Syrian news agency SANA. The agency said the terrorist group committed a massacre against the families of Abdel Rahman al-Jlaylati and his brother Abdel Majid by firing at their 10-member families in the neighborhood of Marjeh. Reporter, Male #1 The official Syrian TV channel reported that government forces continued to raid the hideouts of terrorists in many Syrian regions, capturing a number of them in Basateen Daraya in the countryside of Damascus, and in different parts of Latakia Province, Idlib, Deir az-Zour, and in a number of neighborhoods in Aleppo and its countryside. On the other hand, a number of opposition gunmen announced the formation of a general intelligence service for the Syrian revolution to protect it in its confrontation with the Baath Party's intelligence apparatus. Guest, Male #2 (Spokesman for the Syrian Revolution's Intelligence Service) To provide logistical aid, and information to the brigades of the Free Army, and an operations room. To reveal the plans of the enemy, and to go after the regime's figures, and its remnants. Reporter, Male #1 On the political front, British Foreign Secretary William Hague announced to parliament that Britain decided to recognize the new Syrian coalition as the sole representative of the Syrian people. Hague said this decision was taken after the coalition's leaders offered assurances during their last visit to London. He clarified that he asked the leaders to assign a representative to Britain. Guest, Male #3 (William Hague, British Foreign Secretary) On the basis of assurances I received and consultations with European partners, Her Majesty's government has decided to recognize the national coalition of Syrian revolutionary and opposition forces as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people. We will provide one million pounds of communications support, which could include satellite phones. At this stage, we will not provide the opposition with weapons. Reporter, Male #1 Hague justified his country's support for the coalition by saying extremist groups will have no place in Syria's current crisis. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-111912?start=669 <p>Israeli strikes kill Palestinian children and civilians as resistance factions unite, armed Islamist groups in Aleppo reject Syrian National Coalition, Kuwait arrests four Twitter users over insulting comments, and more.</p> Mon, 19 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-111912 Gaza–Israel conflict, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Gaza City, Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine, Palestinians, Gaza, Al-Quds Brigades, Ramallah Presenter, Female #1 Three people were killed after an explosive device was detonated on a bus in a northwestern suburb of Damascus. Gunmen are refusing to recognize the National Coalition, while the latter's president announces its official headquarters will be in Cairo. Reporter, Female #1 The North Atlantic Treaty Organization confirmed that it will view any request by Turkey to deploy Patriot anti-missile batteries along its border with Syria as urgent. Meanwhile, the European Union's foreign ministers are looking into the possibility of removing the weapons ban on Syria, as suggested by Paris, to open the door to supporting the opposition Syrian National Coalition. Reporter, Female #1 As Aleppo is witnessing a real fuel crisis, Islamist groups in Aleppo, including Jabhat al-Nusra and al-Tawheed Brigade, announced their rejection to any foreign plan that comes from coalitions and committees and is imposed on Syria. This, according to a video posted online on Monday. Guest, Male #1 We, the fighting groups operating in the city of Aleppo and its suburbs, completely reject the conspiratory project that was named the National Coalition. We agreed on establishing a just Islamic state in Syria. Guest, Male #2 Make the Quran your constitution, and you will succeed! By God, it will happen. Reporter, Female #2 Mouaz al-Khatib, the head of the opposition Syrian National Coalition, said Egypt was chosen to host the coalition's main headquarters after meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Amr in Cairo. From Qatar, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti confirmed his country recognized the opposition council in Damascus as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people. However, he said the recognition does not directly imply the country will arm the opposition. The opposition National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change in Syria criticized Paris' recognition of the opposition National Coalition as the legitimate and sole representative of Syrians. Guest, Male #3 What is being proposed in regard to the legitimacy of representation is a return to the understanding of revolutionary legitimacy that was the essential beginning of most dictatorships. Reporter, Female #2 On the ground, opposition fighters are now controlling almost all of Base 46 in the countryside of Aleppo, which is affiliated to the regime forces and was stormed on Friday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The latter indicated warplanes are shelling the headquarters from regime army sites. Reporter, Female #2 Along the Turkish-Syrian border, armed clashes took place between opposition fighters and Kurdish fighters in the city of Ras al-Ain that was seized by the opposition nearly 10 days ago. In a statement, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said nine fighters were injured in the clashes, including four from the Kurdish Democratic Union Party-affiliated Units for the Protection of the Kurdish People. In another statement, the observatory confirmed the killing of the leader of Ras al-Ain's local Kurdish Council, Abed Khalil, by two opposition snipers. Reporter, Female #2 In the countryside of Damascus, opposition gunmen assassinated General Abdullah al-Deraawi, the police chief of al-Nabeek Town, and four police officers as the official Syrian TV channel said armed security forces clashed with terrorists in the countryside of Damascus. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-111512?start=1314 <p>Syrian conflict claims 39,000 lives as violence rages with no end in sight, Palestinian resistance factions unite as Israeli escalations stoke fears of ground war, Jordanian police kill one man amid angry anti-government protests, and more.</p> Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-111512 Gaza–Israel conflict, Gaza, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Israel, Palestinians, Hamas, Kiryat Malachi, Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel, Laurent Fabius, BM-21 Grad Presenter, Male #1 Today in Syria, 86 people have been killed so far as violent clashes are taking place between the Free Army and al-Assad's brigades in al-Bukamal, where the Free Syrian Army was able to down a warplane. Reporter, Male #2 The barbaric death machine that the Syrian regime is using to confront its people, who are only guilty of demanding freedom, remains clearly reflected in the number of missiles targeting all Syrian governorates, and that have claimed the lives of over 39,000 people since the beginning of the Syrian revolution 20 months ago. The violent shelling with heavy artillery and tanks on the neighborhoods of southern Damascus was visible amid violent clashes between the Free Army and the regime's army. Meanwhile, al-Assad's brigades waged a campaign of raids and arrests in the neighborhoods of Rukn al-Din, Qabr Atiqa and Bab Sraija. Reporter, Male #2 In the countryside of Damascus, warplanes and artillery shelling hit the cities of Saqba, Hamriya, and most cities in al-Ghouta al-Sharqiyah. Heavy artillery shelling was renewed on the cities of Zamalka, Arbin, Douma, and the towns of Beyela and al-Sabina. The countryside of Idlib witnessed violent shelling with heavy artillery and rocket launchers, especially in the city of Maarat al-Numaan, where a number of deaths and injuries were reported. Reporter, Male #2 In Homs, the symbol of resistance, heavy artillery shelling was renewed on its besieged neighborhoods amid violent clashes in the neighborhood of Deir Baalba, between the Free Army and the regime's army that rained its heavy machine guns on the neighborhood of Mo'ar. Heavy artillery and mortar shelling was also renewed on the city of al-Rastan and the town of al-Ghanto. The scene was the same in Aleppo where artillery shelling was renewed on the neighborhood of al-Layramoun amid violent clashes near a security building between the Free Army and the regime's army. The provinces of Daraa and Deir az-Zour were also scenes of the Assad army's crimes, which pounded the cities and towns of these provinces with all kinds of weapons, especially the city of Inkhil and the town of al-Karak al-Sharqi in Daraa, and the neighborhood of al-Sheikh Yassin in Deir az-Zour that was targeted with rocket launchers. Reporter, Male #2 As for the countryside of Deir az-Zour, violent clashes erupted, especially in the city of al-Bukamal in the surroundings of the security square between al-Assad's army and the Free Army that liberated a number of security headquarters in the city. Heavy warplane shelling targeted the towns of Rif al-Tabaqa al-Gharby in the province of al-Riqqa amid violent clashes in the town of Dibsi Aafnane, while helicopters dropped barrel bombs on the villages of Dobrikiyeh, Said Salma, Rabia in Latakia. The regime's army also burned homes in the village of al-Msheirfa. Presenter, Female #1 American President Barack Obama refused to recognize the unified Syrian opposition as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people, or even as a transitional government in exile. In his first press conference since getting reelected as president, Obama welcomed the opposition's formation as a diverse and representative group. However, he warned that the United States is still not ready to recognize it as a government in exile, saying, "We consider them a legitimate representative of the aspirations of the Syrian people." Presenter, Male #1 French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced that his country will ask the European Union to lift the embargo on sending defensive arms to Syria, in order to send these types of weapons to opposition fighters. Fabius said his country will conduct talks with UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi and with Russia because they want to reach a solution. He said that President Francois Hollande will receive officials of the new Syrian opposition coalition on Saturday, including Sheikh Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, the new president of the Syrian National Council, and George Sabra. ** Contact Mosaic News: mosaicnews{at}linktv{dot}org http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-111412?start=591 <p>Israel assassinates Palestinian resistance leader in Gaza, anti-Abdullah protests erupt across Jordan over gas prices, series of deadly bombings rock Iraq ahead of the holy month of Muharram, and more.</p> Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-111412 Gaza–Israel conflict, Gaza, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Israel, Syrian Civil War, Ahmed al-Jaabari, 2011-2012 Jordanian Protests, Gasoline and diesel usage and pricing, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces Presenter, Female #1 More than 60 people were killed today by the gunfire of al-Assad's brigades. Most were killed in Damascus and its countryside during the ongoing military escalation and the use of different kinds of heavy weaponry in most cities and towns. At the same time, fierce clashes on multiple fronts took place between al-Assad's army and the Free Army. Reporter, Male #1 Clashes made headlines in the past few hours, as they occurred on multiple fronts. Fierce battles took place between the two armies, the Syrian and the Free, in the south of the capital, Damascus, and in the al-Tadamon and al-Hajar al-Aswad neighborhoods. The battles were accompanied by the shelling of the southern neighborhoods of Damascus. Reporter, Male #1 In the countryside of Damascus, especially in the city of Harasta, violent shelling of residential houses continued. The shelling reached areas in the eastern Ghouta. In Aleppo, that has been witnessing daily battles for nearly four months, the Free Army was able to take control of the Kindi Hospital and of a regime checkpoint after attacking it. Reporter, Male #1 In al-Hasaka Province, war planes carried out several air raids, specifically on the city of Ras al-Ain, which the Free Army seized days ago. In Idlib, violent clashes between the two armies, the Syrian and the Free, took place particularly at the southern entrance of the city of Maarat al-Numaan. Reporter, Male #1 Clashes also took place near Wadi al-Daif camp, which has been under siege for a month. In al-Quneitra Province, sporadic clashes took place between regime forces and the free army on the outskirts of Ruwayhina Village that is located outside the demilitarized zone. In addition, a-Assad's army indiscriminately shelled al-Rastan City in Homs. It also rained down a large number of shells on the provinces of Deir az-Zour and Hama. Latakia, Daraa, and al-Hasaka were targets for al-Assad's army, as tanks and warplanes shelled civilian residences, causing deaths and injuries. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-110912?start=232 <p>Kuwait's opposition renews calls for election boycott as candidate registration closes, US-approved Syrian opposition group forms governing body, Saudi-backed Bahraini forces kill teenage protester in Diraz, and more.</p> Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-110912 Palestinians, Israel, Syrian National Council, Gaza, Syrian Civil War, Israel Defense Forces, Israeli-occupied territories, Politics of Israel, Damascus, Government of Kuwait Presenter, Female #1 In Syria, clashes continue, and in Qatar, the general secretariat of the Syrian National Council postponed electing a new president for the council. Reporter, Female #2 Four people, including a woman, were killed in a car bomb explosion in front of al-Muadamiya's city hall in Damascus' countryside, according to reports by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Syrian air force continued shelling cities and villages in Damascus' countryside, also according to the Observatory, that said violent clashes erupted between Syrian regime forces and opposition fighters in the area of al-Basateen, located between the town of Daraya and the Kafr Susa district west of the capital. Reporter, Female #2 In the province of Deir az-Zour, the observatory reported the killing of 19 people in artillery shelling on the city of Qouriya. It indicated the city of al-Bukamal in the same province was shelled by regime forces using war planes. The Observatory added that at least 20 members of the Syrian regime forces were killed in clashes with opposition fighters near a border crossing with Turkey. Guest, Male #1 The Abdullah Bin Salam battalion and the Issa Bin Mariam battalion affiliated with the beloved Mustafa brigade, and the Ansar al-Sunna battalion that is affiliated to al-Islam Brigade, and special forces in the countryside of Damascus, have captured the Frees military post. Reporter, Female #2 A leader in the Free Syrian Army announced that the Free army is reorganizing its ranks to gain the trust of the international community. He added that his leadership has started to settle inside Syria. This comes as several protests took place in various areas under the banner, "Time to march on Damascus," in condemnation of the Syrian president. At the sixth Syrian humanitarian forum in Geneva, the UN High Commission on Human Rights announced that the number of Syrian refugees in neighboring countries exceeds 408 thousand. Guest, Male #2 (Panos Moumtzis, UNHCR Regional Coordinator) In the last 24 hours alone, almost 11 thousand Syrians sought refuge in neighboring countries, nine thousand in Turkey, 1,000 in Jordan, and 1,000 in Lebanon. Reporter, Female #2 On a different front, the Syrian opposition announced during its ongoing meetings in Doha that it accepted a proposal to establish a transitional government headed by opposition member Riyad Saif, according to the Anadolu news agency. The initiative, headed by Riyad Saif, stipulates creating a unified leadership, dubbed the Syrian National Initiative, from which a government in exile will be formed. The general secretariat elected an 11-member executive office that will eventually elect a new president for the National Assembly. Reporter, Female #2 Al-Assad, in a sequel to his TV interview with Russia Today, launched a stinging attack against Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He accused the PM of believing he's the new Ottoman Sultan who can take control of the area, as was the case during the Ottoman Empire. Al-Assad said Erdogan's government is supporting the Syrian opposition that demands the overthrow of al-Assad. He indicated that Erdogan thinks that if the Muslim Brotherhood was to come to power in the region, and especially in Syria, he would be able to guarantee his political future. Guest, Male #3 (Bashar al-Assad, Syrian President) I think for the president to stay or leave is a popular issue that can only be done through the ballot boxes. We do not have a civil war. It is about terrorism, and the support coming from abroad to terrorists, to destabilize Syria. Reporter, Female #2 The Syrian president expects the war in his country to be prolonged if the initiatives to arm and provide logistic assistance to terrorists continues, denying that his forces may have committed war crimes. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-102512?start=36 <p>Syrian regime declares conditional truce as Islamist group rejects holiday ceasefire, Israel calls Sudan a terrorist state after Khartoum holds Tel Aviv responsible for air strike, both US presidential candidates pledge to continue drone assassinations, and more.</p> Thu, 25 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-102512 Israel, Catherine Ashton, African Union, Salam Fayyad, Hamas, Eid al-Adha, Ceasefire, Air strike, Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, Palestinians Presenter, Female #1 Hours before the start of Eid al-Adha, Syria agreed to stop its military operations. However, the opposition conditioned the truce on the release of its prisoners by Friday, while what is known as Ansar al-Islam, or the Partisans of Islam, rejected the truce. Reporter, Female #2 Syria's announcement of its final and official stance on the truce proposed by Brahimi was delayed. But the regime's response is a gift to the Syrian people during the holiday. The announcement was made a few hours before the start of Eid al-Adha by the general leadership of the Syrian army, but it reserved what it called the right to respond to attacks by armed groups. Military operations will stop on the Syrian territory from Friday until Monday. Reporter, Female #2 On the other hand, the Free Syrian Army confirmed its commitment to the truce, but conditioned it on the release of its prisoners on Friday. Meanwhile, Ansar al-Islam gunmen doubted the regime's army will abide by the truce, and considered themselves unconcerned with the ceasefire. UN Human Rights Council investigators have indicated war crimes and crimes against humanity are occurring in Syria. The head of the investigators' commission, Brazilian Paulo Pinheiro, announced that it sent the Syrian president a letter asking for permission to enter Syria. Reporter, Female #2 Meanwhile, before the truce goes into effect, the situation on the ground in Syria has not eased since military battles continue between the two sides of the struggle, and have also intensified. Agence France-Presse reported that opposition fighters took control of Aleppo's strategic Ashrafiye neighborhood that holds a Kurdish majority. At the same time, clashes were ongoing between regime forces and opposition groups vying to control al-Sirian, a Christian-majority neighborhood located south of al-Ashrafiye. Reporter, Female #2 The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the cities of Daraya, Harasta, and Douma in the countryside of Damascus were shelled, and clashes erupted on the outskirts of al-Tadamon and al-Qaddam, south of the capital, and in Maarat al-Numaan in Idlib, and in al-Rastan in Homs. The opposition Observatory also reported finding the body of the pastor of St. Elias Greek Orthodox Church, Fadi al-Haddad, who was slaughtered in the city of Qatana in the countryside of Damascus. He had been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen a few days ago. Reporter, Female #2 On the other hand, the official Syrian TV channel said the death toll of the massacre committed by what is called Liwa al-Islam, or Islam Brigade, in Douma, has risen to 25. The channel said the victims were slaughtered on Ali ibn Abu Talib Street. It also broadcast videos of a car explosion carried out by terrorists in a crowded street at the Tadamon entrance in Damascus, indicating that the preliminary toll of the explosion is four killed, and 11 injured civilians. This comes as Syrian Prime Minister Dr. Wael al-Halqi is visiting Homs Province to look into the situation of its residents under the direction of President al-Assad. Guest, Male #1 (Dr. Wael al-Halqi, Syrian Prime Minister) Homs is calling on its residents to return, because life here is completely normal. The government will also start, and it has started, to prepare a database of afflicted people in Homs and other provinces. The government will provide financial compensation equal to half the estimated value presented by the governors and sub-committees. Reporter, Female #2 On the international front, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the United States is coordinating and providing logistic support to supply weapons to the Syrian opposition. At the same time, the Iranian Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, accused Washington and Zionism of creating crises in the region with the aid of their agents here to distract their people of the imminent dangers they face. He said some are seeking revenge against Syria because for three decades, it stood in the face of Zionists, and defended the resistance factions in Palestine and Lebanon. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-100512?start=416 <p>Thousands of Jordanians take part in Friday protests despite king's dissolution of parliament, Israeli forces clash with worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, Syrian rebels down military plane on outskirts of Damascus, and more.</p> Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-100512 Syrian Civil War, Syria, Nuclear program of Iran, Syria-Turkey relations, Palestinians, Benjamin Netanyahu, Politics of Turkey, Sanctions against Iran, Damascus, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Presenter, Female #1 The Syrian opposition downed a plane in the Damascus countryside. And Syrian government sources announced that they repelled an attack by armed gunmen who came from Turkey, which once again has warned against the shelling of its territory. Reporter, Male #1 The "Syrian Friday" this week witnessed developments on several fronts. Protests returned to several areas with the slogan, "We Want Weapons, Not Declarations." The Damascus countryside witnessed the downing of a Syrian military plane in east al-Ghouta, and the capture of the plane's two pilots, according to statements by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Observatory indicated that fighters from the revolutionary brigades downed a plane that had been taking part in raids on areas of east al-Ghouta. The opposition also announced the arrest of a high-level officer in al-Ghouta. The Douma Martyrs' Brigade announced its control over an air base in east al-Ghouta as well. A video posted online by the opposition showed the arrest of a regime agent at the base. Reporter, Male #1 On the Homs front, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights indicated that the city was exposed to the worst shelling in months, especially in the district of al-Khalidiya, which was shelled by artillery and war planes. At the border with Turkey, Turkish shelling against Syrian sites has stopped, while Turkish military forces continue to strengthen. Reporter, Male #1 From the Syrian side, a government source announced that the Syrian regime's army repelled an attack by the Free Army near the towns of Ain al-Arab and Ain Issa, in northern Syria, after gunmen entered the country from Turkey. Syrian TV broadcast images of members of the regime's army in Aleppo City, saying that they were able to destroy a number of vehicles equipped with machine guns, and kill a number of terrorists, and that the army was able to cleanse areas of the Damascus countryside of these elements. Reporter, Male #1 A report broadcast from the city of Qudsaya, after the military wrested control of it, showed torture sites set up in the basements of buildings. They displayed these images, saying they belonged to a Wahabi group that was killing people. Reporter, Male #1 Politically, at a press conference he held in Istanbul, Syrian National Council President Abdel Baset Sayda invited all organizations to carry out a practical campaign to protect what the revolution has accomplished. He stressed that the regime wants to destroy the country, and must be brought to justice. Reporter, Male #1 Also from Istanbul, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a new warning to Syria of the consequences of another shelling in Turkish territory. He confirmed that if this incident is repeated, Damascus will pay an exorbitant price. Before a gathering of supporters from his party, the Justice and Development Party, Erdogan warned Damascus not to venture out and test Turkey's patience. He reaffirmed that his country does not wish to wage war on Syria, but at the same time, will not hesitate to retaliate against an action that threatens its national security. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-010912?start=655 <p>Yemen's cabinet approves immunity law for Saleh, tensions rise in Persian Gulf as Iran sentences US man to death for spying, Amnesty warns of continued Mideast protests and repression in 2012, and more.</p> Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-010912 Israel, Iran, Syria, Amman, Yemen Uprising, Sanctions against Iran, Mohammad Ali Jafari, US-Iran relations, Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, Nigeria Presenter, Male #1 The Syrian Revolution General Commission said 19 people were killed today by the security forces' gunfire during protests in a number of cities demanding the downfall of the regime. The opposition indicated that in one city, Syrian authorities sent the corpses of seven people who were tortured to death to their families. Meanwhile, the Syrian Revolution General Commission said the town of Madaya in Rif Dimashq was subjected to artillery shelling by the army's armored trucks. Reporter, Male #2 The residents, known for their sense of humor, say that the people of Homs are continuing their battle against artilleries with their words. They write songs and make jokes in an attempt to remove the atmosphere of death from the neighborhoods of Bab al-Amr, Bab as-Sibaa, al-Khaldiya, Deir al-Balba, al-Inshaat, and all of Syria. Three hundred days have passed since the youths lit the spark of revolution in Daraa. However, all this time has not been enough for other Arab nations to take actions to end their Syrian brothers' sufferings in the streets and alleys of the Syrian capital Damascus, its countryside, and other parts of the country. The Arab Ministerial Committee on Syria convened a meeting on the eve of the 300th day of the revolution. Most of its members were absent from the meeting. After a debate about the absence of the majority of members, the committee issued a conclusive statement granting the Syrian regime additional time. The revolutionaries and dissidents believe that the statement unjustly equates the executioners with the victims, as it addressed the armed gangs' violence alongside the violence by the authorities against its citizens. Therefore, the angry masses rose up and responded to the official Arab position with chants affirming their goal for freedom. Soon, the Syrian Revolution General Commission further explained the masses' position by sending a letter to the secretary-general of the Arab League, requesting that he announce the failure of its initiative and rejecting any solution to the crisis that does not entail the regime's downfall. The Commission also requested that the secretary-general refer the issue to the UN Security Council so that international law could protect the civilians, considering that Syria is a member of the United Nations. The call for international intervention is seen as a fundamental source of contention between the regime's pillars and the opposition groups. However, this call has gained broad support from the revolutionaries and protestors, who have long raised slogans demanding the internationalization of the issue and called on the international community to set up a buffer zone and a no-fly zone protect them from the repression by the regime's military forces. Of course, those who hold this position also have doubts about why the international community has procrastinated in ending the bloodshed in Syrian after it quickly took action in Libya. Some took the liberty to imply, both subtly and frankly, that Israel is the reason, while others believe it's only a matter of time before the real reason will be revealed. Presenter, Male #1 Meanwhile, activists uploaded images online showing lines of tanks backed by armored trucks storming the town of Madaya in Rif Dimashq this morning. Military forces shelled a number of houses in two towns, Madaya and Zabadani, with heavy weaponry and mortar shells at night, killing four people and wounding several others, some of whom are in critical conditions. This took place after soldiers in the region defected from the army. In addition, the surroundings areas of al-Buraq Mosque were also shelled. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-100711?start=432 <p>Palestinians launch "Spring of Negev" protests against Israeli plan to uproot Bedouins, eight Syrians killed on "Friday of National Council," Bahraini police show no mercy to protestors mourning boy's death, and more.</p> Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-100711 Egypt, Syria, Syrian Civil War, Bashar al-Assad, Cairo, Protest, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Yemen Uprising, 2011-2012 Jordanian Protests, Libya Presenter, Male #1 Reports from Syria indicate that at least eight people were killed by the gunfire of Syrian security forces during demonstrations in Syrian villages and towns today under the slogan "Friday of the National Council." The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced that at least 12 people were killed in clashes between the Syrian army and gunmen believed to be army defectors in northern Syria. Reporter, Male #2 "Friday of the National Council" is the name of today's Friday protests in support of the formation of a political framework, which was recently announced by Syrian opposition parties. Syrian state media was quick to report the number of people participating in these protests by merely saying that a limited number of gatherings took place and were quickly dispersed. The state media held the "inciting satellite networks" responsible for exaggerating the situation. Guest, Male #3, (Syrian TV Anchor) ? fabricated news on inciting satellite networks which play a role ? Reporter, Male #2 However, videos like this uploaded by dissidents online reflect the other side of the scene. People gathered here in Jernaz of Idlib Province. And this is in Kafroun of Idlib Province as well. These images are taken in Busra al-Harir near Daraa. And this is in Amuda of al-Hasakah Province. Another protest in Mourik of Hama Province. In Halfaya, protestors burned the Russian flag. The slogans in the Hajar al-Aswad of Rif Dimashq were no different from other regions. In Zabadani, a funeral was held for a person whom dissidents say was killed by Syrian security forces. In the surrounding areas of al-Maraija Mosque in Homs, heavy gunfire was heard. The reports emerging from Syria indicated there were fatalities among protestors. The Syrian government said soldiers and officials were assaulted by gunmen. The Syrian deputy foreign minister said his country will submit a list of 1,100 people killed by terrorists to the United Nations. In turn, the UN announced the deaths of over 2,900 people in what UN officials described as the campaign of bloody crackdowns since protests began in Syria. But the Syrian government asserts that its army is waging a battle against armed groups, launching military campaigns, and facing only limited defections. Guest, Male #4 I announce my defection to join the Free Syrian Army. Reporter, Male #2 The army clashed with defectors in the region of Jabal al-Zawiya near the border with Turkey, leading to fatalities on both sides. Near the border with Lebanon, activists said Syrian forces crossed the border to assassinate a Syrian citizen in al-Biqa' region of Lebanon. Wael al-Hajjar, BBC. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-082311?start=931 <p>Libyan opposition forces storm Gaddafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound and destroy his sculpture of a fist crushing a US plane, after a defiant Saif al-Islam earlier reemerged in Tripoli.</p> Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-082311 2011 Libyan Uprising, Muammar Gaddafi , Tripoli, Libya, Saif al-Islam, Israel, Bab al-Aziziya, Egypt, Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel, Cairo Presenter, Female #1 The UN Human Rights Council has adopted a draft resolution calling for the formation of an independent committee to investigate human rights violations in Syria. Presenter, Male #1 The draft resolution was proposed by the US, the EU, and the four Arab countries at the council: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kuwait. Meanwhile, Russia, China, and Cuba have opposed the resolution. Presenter, Female #1 The Syrian opposition held a press conference in Istanbul to announce the outcome of their meeting aimed at forming a national council to represent the opposition inside and outside Syria. Presenter, Male #1 On the ground, the UN team has arrived in the city of Idlib. The visit coincided with a protest rally that was held on city streets demanding the downfall of the regime. Presenter, Female #1 The Syrian Revolution Coordination Union said that the army has withdrawn from Harasta in Rif Dimashq, after storming the city at dawn. Reporter, Male #1 Gunfire, tanks, and raids on one side; and blood, death, funerals, and more protests on the other. This is the dominant scene in Syria. Since March 15, Syria has been witnessing bloody days. Funeral processions are being held daily, from Dara'a in the south to Idlib in the north; and from al-Bukamal and Deir ez-Zour in the east, passing through Homs, and ending at the coastal cities. These images, which have recently surfaced from Jisr al-Shoughour, bring back to memory the era of ignorance which many thought had long passed, as cited by activists. Ignorance, which is not limited by time or place, reflects the low morals of some, described as "defenders of the homeland front." Meanwhile, Homs's cities and villages are still being placed under siege and witnessing military operations; and the death tolls continue to rise. The situation is similar in Latakia, al-Bukamal, and other Syrian cities. Under the dark shadow of night, this military convoy is rushing to the area of al-Koriya in Deir ez-Zour, where security forces are conducting sweeps and raids. The campaign is also targeting the city of Harasta in Rif Dimashq and other villages in Rif Hama. These protestors are no longer frightened by the sound of gunfire and shelling. After performing the Taraweeh prayer in the area of Binish in Idlib, Ibrahim joins the night protests calling for the downfall of the regime. In Babi Houd and Rustin in Homs, the protests often turn into popular celebrations calling for freedom and the ouster of Assad. This is Syria, where activists launched the freedom revolution. They are gaining new momentum from Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya, vowing to continue with steadfastness and announce their complete separation from a regime that will not last forever. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-082211?start=1098 <p>Libyan revolutionaries claim victory as sporadic fighting continues across the capital, Libyans around the world celebrate the fall of Tripoli, a look back at the key moments of the February 17 Revolution, and more.</p> Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-082211 Libya, 2011 Libyan Uprising, Muammar Gaddafi , Tripoli, Syria, Bashar al-Assad, Benghazi, NATO, Syrian Civil War, Homs Presenter, Female #1 Following its visit to Rif Dimashq, the UN humanitarian delegation arrived in Homs, where three people were killed today in fresh protests. Reporter, Female #1 Today's death toll among civilians has risen to five, as confirmed by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Observatory said that two people were killed and four others were wounded in gunfire by "elements" loyal to the Syrian regime in the city of Misyaf near Hama. US Ambassador Robert Ford visited Hama for the second time. The Observatory added that elements of the regime opened fire on city streets to celebrate Assad's speech. In addition, three more people were killed in Homs during a protest on the Abdul Rahman al-Duroubi Street. The protestors took to the streets as soon as the UN humanitarian delegation announced its plan to visit the city. Syrian opposition websites showed video clips of shooting incidents in "Freedom Square" in Homs, adding that security forces opened fire at the protestors as soon as the UN team left the city. According to the official Syrian story, armed groups opened fire at Syrian police near the provincial building in Homs, as the UN team was passing by. The source added that a policeman was killed and several others were wounded in the shooting. The head of Homs Provincial Council, Ghassan Abdel-Al, said that the gunmen who were onboard a Kia Rio vehicle were pursued and arrested. In another development, the Syrian General Customs Department at the Tanaf border crossing seized a large arms shipment along the Iraqi-Syrian border. The sources added that the shipment was hidden onboard an Iraqi vehicle. According to SANA news agency, President Assad issued a decree to form a "Parties Affairs Committee," led by the interior minister. The committee would handle specific tasks pertaining to the recently issued multi-party law, as part of the political reform program. Meanwhile, attorney and head of the Syrian League for the Defense of Prisoners of Conscience and Opinions, Khalil Maatouk, said that the Syrian authorities released Abdel Karim Rihawi, the head of the Syrian League for the Defense of Human Rights. Rihawi was arrested on August 11 in a Damascus cafe. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon accused President Assad of failing to deliver on his promises. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said that the death toll in the mass protests has reached 2,200. This news comes during a special session held by the UN Human Rights Council, as called for by the Coucil's 23 members, including four Arab countries: Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The Council called for the formation of an independent committee to investigate human rights violations against civilians in Syria. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-062911-world-news-from-the-middle-east?start=35 Martyrs' Day of Rage erupts in Cairo's Tahrir Square, Bahraini opposition group deems national dialogue a sham, dozens of Yemeni troops defect to the opposition, and more.<br /> Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-062911-world-news-from-the-middle-east Protest, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Israel, Kabul, Pakistan Army, Syria, Cairo, Yemen, Bahrain Presenter, Female #1 Syrians continue to stage protests, demanding the ouster of the regime and rejecting its call for a dialogue. Massive protests have been held in the past 24 hours in Hama, Homs, Latakia, Der al-Zor, and other cities in Rif Dimashq. Presenter, Male #1 Meanwhile, the Syrian army continues to carry out its security campaign in the area of Idlib. In what was attributed to eyewitnesses, Reuters said that army tanks have stormed several areas in the Jabal al-Zawyya region in Idlib province, where sounds of shelling could be heard. Reporter, Male #2 In Syria, where the president is inviting the opposition to begin talks, security forces are engaging in a rather different dialogue with the protestors with an iron fist. Here in Homs, security forces are beating this protestor because he dared call for a democratic state that protects his rights. In Syria, there's a wide gap between the ruling Baath party and the people who are rising up for freedom. As the protests continue the killings do as well. The protestors took to the streets of Homs, Hama, Latakia, Rif Dimashq, Der al-Zor, and al-Qamishli, demanding the ouster of the regime. They chanted slogans in solidarity with the victims who lost their lives and the thousands of political prisoners and refugees. Assad the son is talking about reforms like the opposition is. However, the two sides are not talking about the same reforms. Assad's reforms don't meet the minimum objectives of the people rising up for the sake of building a civil and democratic state. They are calling for comprehensive not partial reforms that are limited to constitutional amendments, such as the amendment of Article 8 of the constitution. It's true that Article 8 affirms the Baath Party as the leading authority. However, it is not the only obstacle to the democratic transition in Syria, as confirmed by the opposition. The opposition says that the constitution is filled with additional articles granting the president absolute power and immunity from accountability or prosecution. The president can only be tried before a constitutional court whose members are appointed by him. The opposition is demanding a number of articles be deleted from the constitution, including Article 11 which authorizes the army to defend the objectives of the Baath Revolution. Article 11 was put to test today in Jabal al-Zawyya in Idlib province, where Syrian army tanks have moved to besiege the area. Article 11 grants constitutional authorization for the president and the army to conduct military operations not only along the border but also against those being described by the regime as "enemies on the internal front." Enemies which the regime is accusing of targeting the objectives of the revolution: unity, freedom, and socialism. The revocation of Article 8 of the constitution is one of many demands. Among other demands is the revocation of all articles granting absolute power to the president, in addition to drafting new laws for judicial authorities, political parties, the media, and elections. In brief, what the protestors are calling for is the drafting of a new constitution. In other words, the establishment of a new republic and not a second Baath republic. A new republic that is an extension of the first democratic state built in the era prior to military coups. The opposition is calling for an awakened Syria, a liberated Syria that embraces democracy and diversity. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-062411-world-news-from-the-middle-east?start=38 Italy calls for Libyan ceasefire as ICC mulls arrest warrant for Gaddafi, the US pushes for a peacekeeping force in Sudan's Abyei, Saudi women's defiance may push others to demand change, and more.<br /> Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-062411-world-news-from-the-middle-east Protest, Israel, Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, South Sudan, Friday prayers, Syria, Yemen, Muammar Gaddafi , Bahrain Presenter, Female #1 The Syrian Revolution Coordinators Union said at least 12 people were killed today by the gunfire of security and army forces in various parts of Syria. Eyewitnesses and Syrian opposition activists said tens of thousands of protestors took to the streets across Syria after Friday prayers to demand the downfall of the regime. Protests broke out in the cities of Homs, Aleppo, Hama, Rif Dimashiq, al-Bukamal and the Damascus suburb of Arbeen. Similar protests also erupted in Deir al-Zor, and al-Qamishli in the northeastern parts of Syria. Rania Halabi reports on the developments there. Reporter, Female #1 They are residents of Az-Zabadani, a suburb of the Syrian capital Damascus. Their shouts are delegitimizing Bashar al-Assad on a new Friday that they've called the "Friday of the Fall of Legitimacy." Syrians in Damascus and other Syrian regions seem to have grown tired of the words and promises repeated by the regime for the past 11 years. Today, only change will appease them. In southern Syria's Daraa, people are speaking and proclaiming their support for convening a Conference for National Salvation. They are also criticizing what they describe as "the international silence" towards what is happening in Syria. So far, the international community's reaction has been limited to sanctions imposed on Syrian officials and state organizations. The sanctions were expanded in the last several hours to include three Iranian Revolutionary Guard leaders who were accused by the European Union of supporting the Syrian government's crackdown on the protestors demanding democracy and freedom. In other Syrian regions, northern and southern, Syrians also came out on the Friday of the Fall of Legitimacy to call for regime change. The security's reaction to the protests was swift. In Kaswi of Rif Dimashiq, protestors were killed and injured by the gunfire of Syrian security forces during their demonstrations in the city, according to activists who uploaded these videos online. Meanwhile, Syrian state media says a number of the regime's security forces were hit by the gunfire of what it described as gunmen. Across different parts of Rif Dimashiq, the demand for change continued. In Hama, eyewitnesses said great number of protestors took to the street, a number they estimated at thousands. Demonstrations also swept across Homs; activists said Bab al-Siba'a, Baba Amr, Deir Baalaba, and different part of the city witnessed protests. In Aleppo's Ain Arab, and Deir al-Zour's Boukamal, the demand was one. Images taken in Amouda city in Hasakah province and Idlib province's Banash area were also uploaded online to send the message that residents there want the downfall of the regime of al-Assad, the son. Everything is good, here, in Idlib's Jisr al-Shughour is the image broadcast only by Syrian television. Didn't al-Assad ask those he described as immigrants, not refugees, from Jisr al-Shughour, to return to the city? This is the official camera that headed to the area of Jisr al-Shughour to broadcast what the television station claims to be a return to normalcy with the aid of testimonies by the residents. Guest, Male # 1 We felt the area was safe so we returned. I advise all those who are outside the country to return to it. Nothing is going on here, thank God! Reporter, Female # 2 However, a directly opposing image confirms that the justifications Assad gave are still lacking in light of the ongoing military operations. Syrian military units are still deployed on the border with Turkey and Syrians are also still fleeing their country to neighboring Turkey in search of safety. The number of those in the land of asylum has reached nearly 12,000 so far. On Thursday alone, over 1,500 crossed the border. With them, they carry a wide range of stories, including the entry of dozens of vehicles filled with soldiers and police officers, who even killed an elderly man in his 90s in Khirbet al-Joz, according to those who fled the town. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-050511-world-news-from-the-middle-east?start=35 Siege on Syria's Daraa to end as arrest campaigns begin elsewhere. Anti-Saleh protests continue in Yemen as living conditions deteriorate. Bahrain continues crackdown on pro-democracy advocates. Coalition to create fund for Libyan revolutionaries. Sixteen killed in Iraq suicide bombing. Prime Minister Netanyahu to meet with President Obama on May 20th. And journalists risk their lives for Arab Spring coverage. Mosaic is broadcast in the US on Link TV, <span>DIRECTV 375 and DISH Network 9410. For air times visit <a href="http://www.linktv.org/mosaic">linktv.org/mosaic</a>.<br /></span> Thu, 05 May 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-050511-world-news-from-the-middle-east Protest, Bahrain, Libya, Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, Middle East, Arab Spring, United States, Syria, Iraq Presenter, Male #1 Military squads in Syria are retreating from Daraa, the heart of the country's freedom protests, while other squads are entering a number of towns in Homs province. Today, Syrian state news agency SANA said that the Syrian military units began gradually withdrawing from Daraa after having accomplished their mission of capturing terrorist elements and reestablishing security, stability, and safety in the city, according to a statement from a military source. A French news agency said approximately 350 soldiers left the city on about 20 military trucks displaying pictures of President Bashar al-Assad. The news agency quoted the director of the political bureau of the Syrian army, Major-General Riyad Haddad saying that his army will completely withdraw from the city by the end of the day. Haddad did not give any figures of fatalities or detainees from what the Syrian government refers to as "terrorist elements," but he said that 25 soldiers were killed and 177 were wounded in the operation. Contrary to this statement, activists on social networking sites said that Daraa is still under a suffocating siege amid the heavy deployment of security and military forces in the streets, and snipers on the roofs. While the Syrian military squads withdraw from Daraa, dozens of tanks and military trucks are headed to Homs province, specifically to the two towns of Rastan and Talbisa. Eyewitnesses said that the two towns began to be besieged. The situation is the same in the city of Banias in Tartus Province. Human rights sources said that this morning, military forces moved into the town of Saqba in Rif Dimashq Province and arrested about 300 people. The Syrian military took these actions after a night of protests in a number of cities, the largest of which was in Hama city in central Syria. Protests demanding freedom also continued in the city of Aleppo for the second consecutive day. Reporter, Male #1 The protests in Syrian cities are no longer limited to Fridays or even Saturdays, which are specified for funerals. The protestors began maintaining a daily schedule for their demonstrations, as well as a special nightly schedule. During the day, security forces are heavily deployed in the streets and conducting raids. This cell phone user peeked through a wall in the city that bans filming, and recorded the arrest campaign in Saqba. Rights activists said that over 300 people were arrested. The daylight reveals the protestors' faces as well. This camera phone did not film any faces but recorded the shouts and chants in Aleppo, where protests are continuing for a second day in a row. But the night in Aleppo also witnessed massive demonstrations in which hundreds of protestors demanded freedom and breaking the siege on Daraa. Daraa city in Rif Dimashq has been besieged for over 10 days. Despite the siege, residents took to the streets shouting for freedom. Images taken in the city of Hama in central Syria show protestors holding candles for those who died in the city of al-Qamishili on Friday. They paid tribute to the steadfastness of the Daraa people with angry slogans. The images from Homs Province show the protests that took place last night despite the talks about tanks heading to Homs city and its countryside, where the two towns of Rastan and Talbisa are located. This is the only province where the events have not been covered by the state media since the protests for freedom began. However, the protestors' small cameras remain the only method to record the images in their cities. These images were taken in a town bordering Lebanon, called Tilkalakh. The protestors carried slogans and made their voices heard. All this comes on the eve of the "Friday of Resistance," as named by Syrian activists online. They want it to be another significant day for demanding freedom, and perhaps more.