The Syria Massacres Go On

The northern region of Syria, bordering Turkey, has become the target of President al-Assad’s military forces. The town of Syrmaniya, ten miles south of Jisr-Al-Sugur, is reportedly undergoing massive artillery attack, while many in the region are fleeing toward the Turkish border seeking safety.

A Syrian government spokesperson says that the military is responding to calls for help from families in the northern area. Those living there say the attacks are unprovoked and meant to destroy the town of Jisr-Al-Sugur, a former stronghold of resistance which was attacked and had all weapons confiscated several years ago.

The Syrian government says that its military was attacked near Jisr-Al-Sugur and 120 soldiers were killed. People in the area say that the truth is that some soldiers tried to escape the military and aid the demonstrators and that it was the Syrian military who shot and killed them.

According to CNN, one of the leaders of the demonstrations has fled to Turkey and has shown cell phone video, which cannot be confirmed, of peaceful marchers about 40 miles south of Jisr-Al-Sugur being gunned down by military observers during the Friday, 3 June, demonstration. The military says the marchers were armed, while the organizers say no one in the march was armed with even a stick because everyone was searched and all weapons were forbidden.

Turkey has supported Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan says that he talked with Assad earlier this week and explained that the current situation could not continue. Despite that conversation, Erdogan says of the Syrian regime “that they take these matters very lightly.”

Erdogan added that the northern Syrian situation is “almost an internal affair” and that “we cannot close our borders to those who run for their lives,” asking how long the Syrian situation can continue.

During today’s marches, one death in Syrmaniya has been reported.

More important, the Syrian authorities yesterday ordered the military commandant in the Hamas area and 20 of his officers to return to Damascas. They are reportedly accused of giving the order to fire on a 3 June march in Hamas, killing 20 demonstrators.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council continues to consider the draft resolution calling for an end to the Syrian violence and “steps to address the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.” A vote is expected soon.

Groups, including Amnesty International, have visited the International Criminal Court in The Hague, with what they say is evidence of crimes against humanity committed by the Syrian government. You can read also my 2 June blog about Syrian crimes against humanity.