Today’s Top Stories

• Russia declared that it will not back the United Nations Security Council resolution against Syria.

• Amnesty International published a report detailing how Syrian embassy officials abroad have been harassing Syrian dissidents, threatening them and targeting their families in Syria.

• Colonel Riyad Asa’ad declared that he is safe in Turkey, contrary to the reports Assad media outlets propagated about his capture.

Today’s Top Videos

• Assad’s forces shell civilians’ homes in Rastan and wreak havoc on the town, P2, P3

• Marks of sever torture on a detainee’s body in Al-Qadam, Damascus

• Leaked video of Assad’s troops scribbling pro-Assad graffiti on the walls and firing into the air to intimidate civilians

Support for SNC on the Ground
Hass, Idlib: Chants included, “we congratulate ourselves for the birth of the SNC”
Al-Bayada, Homs: Free women of Homs announce their support to the SNC and describe it as “the free Syrians’ voice”, P2, P3, P4
Douma, Damascus: Demonstrators show their support to the SNC
Al-Maidan, Homs: Student demonstrators chant in support of the SNC

Today’s Summary of Events

Russia declared that it will not back the United Nations Security Council resolution against Syria that will be voted on today, even though it was amended to exclude sanctions against the Assad regime. Furthermore, Russia said it will not back a resolution that does not contain terms calling for international powers to stop intervening in Syria’s affairs. Many demonstrations in Syria and abroad went out today denouncing Russia and its stance of choosing a temporary political and military alliance with the Assad regime over a longterm alliance with the Syrian population.

In the meantime, Amnesty International published a report detailing how Syrian embassy officials abroad have been harassing Syrian dissidents, threatening them and targeting their families in Syria. According to the report, more than 30 cases were documented in Canada, Chili, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Many relatives and family members of dissidents have been detained, harassed, and tortured due to such activities.

The regime’s brutality in face of the demonstrations is still ongoing, as 10 civilians were killed today across Syria -most of them in Homs. Clashes between Assad forces and the Free Syrian Army are also ongoing as well, as a security check point was attacked in Idlib today. On another note, Commander of the Free Syrian Army Colonel Riyad Asa’ad declared that he is safe in Turkey, contrary to the reports Assad media outlets propagated about his capture. He added that he is appreciative of the Turkish government and the Turkish people's assistance to Syrians