Syria, Libya (and Beyond) LiveBlog: Prayers, Protests, and Pressures
Friday, September 2, 2011 at 14:05 | James Miller in EA Middle East and Turkey, Middle East and Iran View Syria - Friday 02/09/2011 in a larger map
Interactive Map of today's protests in Syria posted by The Syrian Uprising 2011 Information Centre.
See also, Syria Video Special: Death Rather Than Humiliation
Syria Video Special: A Protest Movement Renewed
Syria, Libya (and Beyond) Liveblog: Cracks in the Regime
Syria Special: The Resignation of Hama's Attorney General
0030 GMT: Scott Lucas dropping in to post this video from Al Jazeera English of Friday's demonstrations by women in Martyrs Square in the heart of the Libyan capital Tripoli, celebrating the fall of the Qaddafi regime:
2007 GMT: That wraps up our liveblog for the evening. We will be posting analysis of today's developments in Syria, but the bottom line is that the opposition movement has taken some significant steps forward in recent days, and it has shown by how large and widespread the protests were today.
And they are far from over. We'll also collect more videos and reports and make those available soon.
Please tune in tomorrow, and enjoy our features (links above).
2003 GMT: Amr Moussa, a candidate for the presidency in Egypt, said that he warned former President Hosni Mubarak, days before he was forced to resign, that the situation in Egypt was untenable and he needed to call of his security forces and listen to the protesters. After revealing that detail, Moussa went on to give a message to Syria's President Bashar al Assad:
He said: "I hope that all of them, including the Syrian regime, will understand that this is a historic trend. There's no U-turn in it. People have spoken. They cannot get back to the normal life (of) the last 10, 20, 30 or 60 years. If they don't, it's a matter of time. ... The situation now is untenable."
The United Nations' humanitarian coordinator for Libya, Panos Moumtzis, arrived in Tripoli with a team of U.N. officials. He said: "The humanitarian situation remains fragile. It is critical to ensure an immediate and effective U.N. presence on the ground to help identify and assist vulnerable people who have been particularly affected by the conflict and the disruption of services."
1945 GMT: The Syrian Revolution Coordinators Union has stated that 20 people have died so far today in Syria.
1935 GMT: In our video special, we have already posted video of protests in Damascus, Homs, Hama, Horan, al Rastan, and Daraa province. WE have also posted video of tanks positioning themselves in Idlib city, large security forces deploying in the Qalamoun district of Damascus, and security forces opening fire on protesters in Irbeen Damascus, Deir Ez Zor, and Douma.
See them all here, Syria Video Special: Death Rather Than Humiliation
1829 GMT: Thousands of Yemen protesters also staged pro-Saleh demonstrations, particularly in Sabiine Square in Sana'a. Pro Saleh demonstrations were larger than they have been in recent weeks, and protests were held in many cities across Yemen.
We haven't seen pictures of the pro-Saleh rallies, so it is hard to compare numbers against the pictures of the massive anti-Saleh rallies (see below).
1716 GMT: Turkey has announced that it will reopen its embassy in Tripoli, Libya, and appoint Ali Kemal Aydin as its new ambassador to the National Transitional Council.
1710 GMT: Yemeni activists have uploaded a picture gallery of today's protests in Sana'a, Yemen's capital. Since the violence has subsided in Yemen for the time being, the protest movement is not catching public attention, but James notes that he just can't get over the scale of the protests there:
1655 GMT: Al Jazeera reports on a hunger strike that has been launched by Bahraini medics:
1649 GMT: A reliable activist is saying that there is "indiscriminate gunfire" in the Hawle neighborhood of Homs within the last half hour, and at least 7 people have been injured. We have not confirmed the report.
Multiple activists are saying that the cell phone and 3G networks have been shut off in Homs, which perhaps explains why none of the video we've seen from Homs today shows violence, only large protests. Hopefully, we'll have some video confirmation soon.
1645 GMT: Back from a quick break. In our separate video entry, we've posted dramatic video taken today in Douma, and important Damascus suburb. Security forces fire, at close range, at unarmed protesters. It is unclear if the security is using rubber bullets, or whether or not there were injuries, but the brave protesters refused to give ground.
1558 GMT: Activists are reporting unusually high security in an around key mosques and neighborhoods in Damascus. In al-Hajar Aswad district of Damascus, 15 buses filled with security forces have surrounded the municipality building, and Shabiha (plain-clothed thugs) are patrolling the area, as 3 helicopters circle above.
In Qaboun, military forces outnumbered worshipers as security surrounded several key mosques, not allowing any post-prayer protests to start.
Frankly, we've never seen the Syrian army this spooked. But they have good reason. Protests are pushing deeper and deeper into Damascus, and the suburbs and outskirts of Damascus have become hotbeds of protest activity. This week, we've seen a massive increase in the amount of protests around Aleppo, and today we have reports of protests within the city boundaries.
Outside these Assad strongholds, protests have never been larger. The protesters are chanting "Death Rather than Humiliation," and the Assad regime seems to believe they they aren't bluffing.
1551 GMT: We've launched a video liveblog where we will compile important videos from Syria today, and so far we have posted footage from large rallies in Al Tal (Damascus), Hama, and Horan.
However, one video REALLY stands our. The video shows a crowd of ten thousand or more in Al Rastan, being led in protest by, according to the video, First Lieutenant Mohammad, defected from the Syrian army.
1528 GMT: Al Jazeera has this important update, fresh violence on the outskirts of Damascus:
An activist says security forces and regime thugs who have surrounded al-Fateh hospital in Kafr Batna at the outskirts of Damascus are shooting at families gathered outside.
Families fear that security forces will storm the hospital and arrest their wounded relatives, who have been brought to the hospital from the Arbeen and Hamouria neighbourhoods after security forces there opened fire during protests earlier today, the activist told Al Jazeera.
He said more security personnel had arrived and set up a checkpoint by the hospital preventing wounded from accessing medical help inside and medical staff from leaving the hospital.
1517 GMT: We believe that this video was taken just north of Aleppo, a protest march, in the wind, for Ahmed Homd, killed by security forces:
1503 GMT: A troubling video from Zamalka, Damascus, Syria. An unarmed man is shot in the leg by soldiers and is left in the middle of the street, screaming (Update, Al Jazeera, which has also just posted this video, adds that the people inside, when they see the man get shot, yell "get me the car keys"):
1454 GMT: Yet another sign of a growing distrust - According to a leading Turkish Journalist, Mahir Zeynalow, "A senior Israeli official tells [the] AP [that] Israel believes Turkey is intent on worsening ties with Israel to bolster its position in the Arab world."
1450 GMT: Protesters in Yemen call for an escalation of protests against dictators, and declare their solidarity with the Syrian people against Bashar al Assad:
1444 GMT: Another video giving us an idea of the scale of the protests in Homs (huge), as well as another message directly from the savvy camera-man.:
The sign reads, in both English and Russian, "To Russian People, the Assad regime is killing us with the support of your government."
1437 GMT: The situation in Yemen has not progressed very far in weeks. While the military is concentrated on fighting Al Qaeda in the south, and the tribes and the military have entered a cease-fire, and President Saleh is still in Saudi Arabia, the protesters continue to march, week after week.
A large crowd protests today in Dhamar, Yemen, in an attempt to escalate the stakes:
And a massive protest in Taiz, Yemen:
1432 GMT: Former State Department Spokesman PJ Crowley has called for Israel and Turkey to rethink their positions on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla:
The #UN Palmer report gave something meaningful to both #Israel and #Turkey. They should take advantage and move to rebuild relations.
The #UN affirmed the legality of the #Gaza blockade. #Turkey should pledge to cooperate with #Israel while expanding assistance to #Gaza.
The #UN judged that #Israel used excessive force when boarding the #MaviMarmara. Surely #Israel is mature enough to say, "We're sorry."
The relationship between #Israel and #Turkey is too important to languish given how events in #Syria will impact them both so profoundly.
1421 GMT: Our correspondent Ali Yenidunya offers an analysis of the UN's Palmer report on the attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.
And just in time. Turkey is withdrawing its ambassador from Israel and is cutting all military ties with the country:
"The time has come for Israel to pay for its stance that sees it above international laws and disregards human conscience," Davutoglu said. "The first and foremost results is that Israel is going to be devoid of Turkey's friendship."
Davutoglu said the report "displayed the violence committed by the Israeli soldiers," but also criticized it for describing Israel's naval blockade as a legitimate security measure and in line with international law.
Israel has said that it regrets the loss of life, but it refuses to apologize to Turkey for its actions:
"Israel recognizes the importance of the historical ties in the past and present between the Jewish and Turkish peoples," an official Israeli statement said.
"The state of Israel hopes a way will be found to resolve the dispute and will continue to act toward that end."
1410 GMT: Al Jazeera picks up on this video, reportedly taken outside the Mousa bin Naseer mosque in Deraa after Friday prayers today. The security is a mixed force of uniformed military and plain-clothed Shabiha (litterally, "ghotst". Their behavior is very different. The military is calm, discussing something with civilians in the foreground. Also, for the most part, they are equipped with batons. There appears to only be a single soldier with a gun, AK-47, and it is pointed at the ground.
One Shabiha, on the other hand, is carry an AK-47 which he is pointing wildly. At one point, he charges through the military and towards the civilians. At this point, a small crowd of protesters begins throwing rocks.
1354 GMT: Arab Spring Finances Update: Libya's finances just got a whole lot better, but Syria's finances just got a whole lot worse.
World leaders have agreed to unfreeze $15 billion dollars of Libyan assets, releasing them to the NTC. The UN has also said that sanctions could be lifted as early as next week, and the leaders at the "Friends of Libya" Paris Conference vowed additional support, especially in the areas of humanitarian aid and reconstruction money. The goal set yesterday, repeated by nearly every leader, was to avoid a post-Saddam Hussein Iraq Scenario.
The African Union, however, has still not recognized the NAtional Transitional Council as the leaders of Libya.
In Syria, however, things just got worse for the Assad regime. The European Union has agreed to ban oil imports from Syria, a move that could suffocate the largest single piece of Syria's economy.
Oil accounts for about 25% of Syria's income and the EU takes about 95% of its oil exports.
The move could go into action as early as Friday afternoon or Saturday morning.
1344 GMT: Two more videos from Homs. The first shows a massive protest rally. The videographer holds a sign that says,
"The Syrian people are demanding the UN to issue a resolution to allow international observers to enter Syria."
They are calling today's Friday Protests "Death Rather Than Humiliation:"
The second video is more ominous, a security convoy deploying in the city yesterday afternoon. Casualties are reported today in Homs:
1339 GMT: Reuters is reporting that the death toll in Syria today has reached 6, including civilians who were killed in the Damascus suburbs of Irbin and Hamouriya, as well as Deir al-Zor, and Homs.
1334 GMT: CNN offers a good sample of yesterdays audio messgae, broadcast over Syrian State TV, reportedly from the now-ousted Libyan Leader Muammar Qaddafi. As we reporeted yesterday, there really was little new information, and we've heard it all before. He called for tribes to rise against the "imperialist aggressors," and so on.
CNN picks up on an important point, however. A defiant Qaddafi claims that the capital of Libya has moved from Tripoli to Sirte. It's a small point, but suggests that there may be a leadership structure there, and those leaders are unlikely to surrender quietly:
1330 GMT: Another video from Homs, where large crowds of protesters have taken to the street once again, and gunfire has been reported:
1326 GMT: Heavy security, including tanks, deployed in the streets of Jasim, Daraa province, in the south of Syria:
1321 GMT: Thanks to Scott Lucas for making the last few updates. James Miller takes the blog.
Al Jazeera gets us caught up on the latest casualty figures in Syria, where there has been more bloodshed today:
Three protesters -Mousa al-Dibs, Mohammed al-Sahou and Ahmad Falah - have been killed in the eastern city of Deir ez-Zor, according to activists. There are reports of four protesters being injured.
Activists also say at least two people have been killed in the Damascus suburb of Zamalka as security forces have opened fire on protesters. No names have been confirmed yet.
A second person, 16-year-old Aisha Al-Sheikh, has been killed by security forces according to protesters in the Arbeen neighbourhood.
Activists also say security forces have opened fire at protesters in the Damascus suburb of Douma.
According to activists, more than 15,000 demonstrators have taken to the streets in the northwestern city of Idlib and the numbers are increasing.
Security forces have opened fire Homs in an attempt to disperse thousands of protesters in the city square, eyewitnesses say.
1250 GMT: A wedding party last night in al-Harak, in the south of Syria, turns into a protest with chants of "Death is better than humiliation":
1240 GMT: Early in the uprising against the Syrian regime, demonstrations in the second city of Aleppo were rare. No more --- 2000 people are reported on the streets in the al-Sakhour section, despite a heavy security presence and reports of beatings by "shabiha" (pro-regime armed men). There are also reports of marches in the Koubani, al-Baab, and Tal Rifat neighbourhoods.
Activists say security forces have opened fire on protesters in the Damascus suburb of Erbeen, claiming injuries. They also reports attacks by shabiha on worshippers in the Rahman and Ibrahim al-Khalil mosques in the Hajar Aswad neighbourhood of Damascus and in the Hamouria neighbourhood. Gunfire has been reported in Kisweh.
Thousands of protesters were reportedly out in Daraa in the south. Activists say security forces opened fire to disperse crowds while worshippers Aa Musa bin Nusr Mosque threw stones after tear gas was used against them.
Activists also say thatshabiha and security forces have attacked protesters in Latakia on the coast and Deir Ez Zor in the northeast and have tried to prevent a gathering in Zabadani. However, in Qamishli in the northeast, about 2500 people were able to protest without interference.
1230 GMT: Demonstrators in Homs in Syria demand United Nations observers:
Another clip from Homs:
And in protests in Sarmeen in the northwest, children hold up posted including, "Only in Syria do children wear a shroud in Eid", the celebration at the end of Ramadan:
0548 GMT: While our bloggers sleep, two important videos on the latest developments from Libya....
In the first video, the National Transitional Council meets with world leaders in Paris, setting the stage for a transition to peace:
While the Paris Conference looks forward, new documents retrieved from the Qaddafi compound shed light on the regime, especially during its last days and months:
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