Explosive Violence Update: Syria 19 May 2011

Introduction The Syrian uprisings began with anti-government “By resorting to the use of artillery against its protests in mid-February, and were initially met with own people today, the Syrian government has targeted arrests, killings, and disappearances. During the shown its determination to crush the peaceful past three weeks, government troops have escalated protests at virtually any cost, whatever the their use of force, shelling a number of cities and price in Syrians' lives.”5 residential areas. The deployment of government tanks and shelling of residential areas in Syrian towns and Shelling continued in Daraa until the end of April, when cities, described as “alarming” by the UN Humanitarian there was an artillery assault on the Omari mosque,6 Chief on 10 May,1 has continued through the last week. which had been a centre of protest activities.7 Among the casualties were a woman and her two daughters, whose Data on explosive weapons casualties home near the mosque was hit by an artillery shell, 8 Since 25 April 2011, AOAV’s Explosive according to a resident.

Violence Monitoring Project (EVMP) Homs city: encircled by tanks recorded: Several cities have reportedly been besieged, with  60 civilian deaths caused by shelling essential supplies cut off, cities surrounded by tanks, and in populated areas of Syria. shelling of civilian areas. In the central city of Homs, the  100% of casualties were civilians. situation was witnessed by a Times reporter, who on 10 9 May reported seeing over 100 tanks lining the streets. The following day, shelling in the city reportedly killed Focus of explosive attacks nine people and wounded „dozens,‟ as well as damaging Most reported incidents have occurred in the populous the main shopping area.10 A local activist said “Homs is southern and western regions, in towns and cities which shaking with the sound of explosions from tank shelling have seen protests and unrest. In the south, the cities of and heavy machine-guns.” 11 A resident of Homs Daraa, Al Harra, and Inkhil have reportedly been heavily described the situation: shelled. In the west, there has been shelling in the city of Banias on the Mediterranean coast,2 the central cities of “It was terrifying…We were woken up by Homs and Hama, and the border towns of Talkalakh and crashing explosions at about 5.00am. The Arida. windows were shaking and we could hear children screaming…”12 Shelling of Daraa city The first report of shelling in residential areas was on 25 Displacement April in the southern city of Daraa, which has been a According to a media report, at least 5,000 refugees focal point for protests. An incident involving shelling of have crossed into Lebanon from border areas. 13 the town centre reportedly resulted in the death of According to activists quoted in a BBC report, two between 23 and 25 civilians, 3 with sustained heavy women and five men were killed by shelling in shelling preventing local residents from reaching the Talkalakh.14 Hundreds of residents have reportedly fled bodies.4 Amnesty International‟s Middle East and North across the border to Lebanon,15 leaving the city “empty of people,” according to one resident.16 A report on 18 Africa Director, Malcolm Smart, stated: May stated that those who did not flee immediately are now reportedly trapped by shelling:

“Most residents of Tel Kelakh have fled. Some remaining people tried to escape to Lebanon yesterday but the shelling has been too heavy.” 17 Banias Hama Displacement has also been reported in Daraa, with 18 Homs many residents fleeing to Jordan. The impact on Talkalakh security in Lebanon and Jordan has not yet been SYRIA reported.

“But what will we do now? If we return, we Al Harra will die. They are destroying our homes."

Daraa (Hanin, Talakalakh resident, France 24, 17 May)

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Summary As of 19 May, reports indicate that the shelling of http://www.chinapost.com.tw/international/africa/2011/05/01 populated areas is continuing in some parts of the /300664/Syrian-troops.htm (accessed 18 May 2011). 9 country. The shelling of residential areas is having a “No momentum yet for Syrian uprising,” Sky News, 11 May serious humanitarian impact, and while casualty data is 2011, http://blogs.news.sky.com/foreignmatters/Post:d3d09ed5- limited, initial reports suggest that significant numbers of a39a-498b-a1cb-f628f260dfaa (accessed 18 May 2011). civilians are being killed and injured. There has been 10 “Syria tanks ‘shell’ protest city of Homs,” BBC, 11 May 2011, substantial refugee movement across Lebanese and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13358201 Jordanian borders, with the destruction of houses leaving (accessed 18 May 2011). 11 some unable to return. This situation is not only of grave “Syria tanks ‘shell’ protest city of Homs,” BBC, 11 May 2011, humanitarian concern, but indicates a worrying http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13358201 (accessed 18 May 2011). escalation in the use of force. The use of explosive 12 Adrian Blomfield, “Syrian tanks shell Homs as violence weapons in populated areas signals a further breakdown escalates,” The Telegraph, 11 May 2011, of the relationship of accountability between the Syrian http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syri government and its citizens. a/8507760/Syrian-tanks-shell-Homs-as-violence-escalates.html (accessed 19 May 2011). 13 “For Syria refugees, Lebanese relatives give sanctuary,” AFP, posted by France 24, 17 May 2011, http://www.france24.com/en/20110517-syria-refugees- Recommendations lebanese-relatives-give-sanctuary (accessed 18 May 2011). 1) Syrian forces should immediately stop the use of 14 “Syria: seven killed in Tal Kalakh in security crackdown,” BBC, explosive weapons in populated areas. 15 May 2011, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east- 2) States, international organisations, and NGOs 13406821 (accessed 19 May 2011). 15 Edward Yeranian, “Syria crackdown in border town enters should demand an end to this use. second day,” VOA News, 15 May 2011, 3) The Syrian government should respect the UN http://www.voanews.com/english/news/middle-east/Syrian- Secretary-General‟s call to allow access for Govt-Crackdown-in-Border-Town-Enters-Second-Day- humanitarian teams seeking to provide relief to 121860339.html (accessed 19 May 2011). 16 civilian populations. “‘Catastrophic’ picture emerges of Syrian town,” Sina, 17 May 2011, http://english.sina.com/world/p/2011/0516/373561.html (accessed 19 May 2011). 17 “Syrian tanks shell town for fourth day running as France and Notes Britain press for UN resolution to stop bloodshed,” Daily Mail Online, 19 May 2011, 1 “US closer to calling for Assad to go,” Associated Press, 11 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1388383/Syrian- May 2011, tanks-shell-Tel-Kelakh-fourth-day-running-France-Britain-press- http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article393795.ece?service=pr UN-resolution-stop-bloodshed.html#ixzz1MiiXLJRT (accessed int (accessed 17 May 2011). 19 May 2011). 18 2 Amnesty International, “Syria death toll rises as city is placed UNHCR, “Syrian Arab Republic: civilians flee within and from under siege,” 9 May 2011, http://www.amnesty.org/en/news- Syria,” Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, 6 May 2011, and-updates/syria-death-toll-rises-city-placed-under-siege- http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4dc7d1512.html 2011-05-09 (accessed 18 May 2011). (accessed 19 May 2011). 3 “Tanks storm Syrian town, 25 dead: activists,” AFP, posted by IC Publications, 25 April 2011, http://www.africasia.com/services/news_mideast/article.php?I D=CNG.e738123e4ccce6019851c695501ca633.fb1 (accessed 26 April 2011); (25 April 2011), “Syrian troops storm Daraa, ‘kill 25,’” AFP, posted by Google News, http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jfveA doFww5KAahwzo9DZJKStnsg?docId=CNG.e738123e4ccce60198 51c695501ca633.b91 (accessed 17 May 2011). 4 “Tanks storm Syrian flashpoint, 25 dead: activists,” AFP, posted by France 24, 26 April 2011, http://www.france24.com/en/20110426-tanks-storm-syrian- flashpoint-25-dead-activists# (accessed 18 May 2011). 5 Amnesty International, “Today’s attacks are new and outrageous low,” 25 April 2011, http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details_p.asp?NewsID=1942 Hams 3 (accessed 18 May 2011). 6 Amnesty International, “Daraa – Syrian troops shell and storm al-Omari mosque – 30.04.2011,” 30 April 2011, http://www.protectthehuman.com/videos/daraa-syrian- troops-shell-storm-al-omari-mosque-30-04-2011 (accessed 17 May 2011). 7 “Syrian forces shell Deraa, storm mosque,” 30 Gulf News, 30 April 2011, http://gulfnews.com/in- focus/mideastunrest/syrian-forces-shell-deraa-storm-mosque- 1.801204 (accessed 17 May 2011). 8 “Syrian troops take key mosque, shell city,” 1 May, The China Post,

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