I apologize if "This week in Syria" was a tad bit short this week. University has been tough.

Speaking of tough... contact me if you'd like to help out with The Syrian Rose. I'd love to keep putting up content more regularly, but there is so much to cover, and so little time.

Salam.

Qamr
Canada welcomes Syrian refugees with open arms 



This week, Canada welcomed the first of the 25,000 Syrian refugees it intends to accept. This is more than twice the amount that President Obama plans to resettle in the U.S within the next year. Canada's prime minister Justin Trudeau promises to resettle all 25,000 refugees by the end of February 2016. Previously, the Liberal party had promised to accept 25,000 refugees by the end of 2015, but the timeline was extended after protests that the 2015 end of the year deadline was rushed, and would not allow for accurate security measures to be upheld.


The refugees were greeted with songs, clothes, and by the Prime Minister himself. Trudeau personally met with refugees at Toronto Airport, and presented one young refugee with a coat and teddy bear. 

The headline of the Toronto Star included the words "Welcome to Canada" in Arabic, and a heartwarming front page article that warmly welcomed Syrian refugees, "You're with family now".

One of the most inspiring, and heartfelt welcomes that I saw on the internet was a Canadian choir singing Tala'a al Badru Alaina. This is a song which was sung in a similar situation about 1400 years ago when the Prophet Muhammad and his followers sought refugee in the city of Medina from Makkans who were persecuting them. To have them sing it in Arabic, and to sing it in such a situation... it is an emotional experience, one that I have no doubt Syrian refugees will appreciate. 


Foreign fighters numbers' double in Syria

The number of foreign fighters in Syria has doubled in the past year alone, officials say. The Soufan Group, a intelligence firm founded by former FBI agent Ali Soufan, reported that the number of foreign fighters in Syria had gone up from 12,000 in the previous year to 27,000-31,000.

However, these fighters are not just Europeans looking to pledge their allegiance to ISIS, or any other extremist groups in Syria. The figures include the number of foreign Russian military that have come to Syrian within the past year (and in greater amounts the past few months) to aid the Syrian government. The number of Russian foreign fighter growth in Syria within the past year is now equal to that of Western Europe. 

The report also states that, according to the Russian Federation, the number of Russians joining the Islamic State has gone up from 800 in June of 2014 to 2,400.


Syrian refugees in the West

George RR Martin Has a Message for Everyone Who Has a Problem With Syrian Refugees

The Paris attacks have spurred intense debate worldwide over the fate of Syrian refugees in Europe and the United States. Now that Daesh has shown what it is capable of, many fear that Daesh is looking to further its interests in the West by sending operatives disguised as refugees. Anti-immigration protests have spread across Europe, and in the U.S the subject is being heavily among politicians. Presidential candidates have weighed of both parties have weighed in on the matter, and a bill was recently passed in the House of Representatives that is meant to hinder the flow of Syrians into the United States. This bill opposes Obama's plans to accept 10,000 Syrian refugees within the next year. Many believe that the planned 18-month screening/vetting process is not enough to dismiss the security risks refugees may pose. 

Jessie Jane Duff and Noor Tagouri debate Syrian refugees (WTTG/screen grab)

I am disappointed to see my fellow Americans dismissing the lives of thousands of Syrians in the name of, "security risk". I am disappointed to see people like Jane Duff, a military analyst, claim that American women will be raped and beheaded should we allow refugees in the United States. I am disappointed that more than half of the America's governors vehemently oppose resettling Syrian refugees in their states. As journalist Noor Tagouri and numerous others have said, this is the precise response that Daesh was hoping to generate. Fear, suspicion, and antipathy to people who have lived through years of war, and whose lives have been uprooted. 

 Contrary to popular belief, only 2% of Syrian refugees are young "fighting age" males. However, 100% are looking for a better situation; a safe place with opportunity and resources to make a life for themselves.

 The debate began as a result of reports that one of the attackers was found with a Syrian passport, a claim which later proved to be false. The Paris attackers were eventually identified as French nationals, with no apparent ties to the Syrian refugees. 

Russian attacks continue. Over 403 Syrian civilians reported dead as a result of the campaign


According to the Syrian Observatory, more more than 400 Syrian civilians have been killed as a result of Russian airstrikes on ISIS. SOHR reports that, of the 400 dead, 97 were children. Russia has recently escalated strikes on Syria in the wake of the Paris attacks, and does not plan on reducing Russian military action in Syria any time soon, according to President Putin. 
Embedded image permalink

Yesterday, a boat carrying refugees, including children, capsized in Greek waters. Many were rescued, but at least 10 refugees drowned, among them a child, according to euronews. 68 were rescued by the Greek coastguard, and the remaining migrants were able to swim to safety in Farmakonisi, Turkey. 

 Although many European countries have opened their borders after pressure from both refugees and the international community, we still, unfortunately, see incidents like this happen regularly. No one should have to suffer a like this; to trade one method of death for another.

 Yes, we may not know the effects such a huge influx of refugees will have on the future of European countries like Germany, and there may be those who will take advantage of the situation for their own nefarious purposes, but as someone who lives in a Western country, I believe it is our duty to help those who seek it. To help those who are so desperate, that the idea of braving a treacherous journey for the slim chance of safety is more appealing then staying in their current situation. How desperate must one be in order to do this?

 Pictured above: a refugee father desperately tries to keep his baby above water.




Megan Levy

Omran, 6, fled Syria with his family carrying only this bag.
Omran, 6, fled Syria with his family carrying only this bag. Photo: International Rescue Committee
If you had only a small bag in which to pack your most valued and needed possessions, what would you fill it with?
For six-year-old Omran, part of that precious space is occupied by a zip-lock bag of marshmallows, the young boy's favourite snack, alongside a toothbrush, toothpaste and a pair of trousers and a shirt.
Omran, from Syria, is too young to comprehend fully the upheaval that is occurring around him.
He is among the thousands of refugees fleeing unrest in Syria and other parts of the Middle East and Afghanistan, and risking their lives in a desperate dash for Europe and the hope of a new, safer life.
The International Rescue Committee, a global humanitarian aid organisation, spoke to a handful of those displaced people and photographed the meagre possessions they had managed to carry with them across the Aegean Sea to Lesbos, in Greece.
"Smugglers routinely exploit them, promising safety for a price, only to squeeze them like sardines into tiny boats," the committee said in a statement.
"Most have no option but to shed whatever meagre belongings they may have salvaged from their journeys. Those allowed to bring extra baggage aboard often toss it overboard, frantically dumping extra weight as the leaky boats take on water."
Entitled What's in my bag?: What refugees bring when they run for their lives, the photo essay paints a bleak picture of life on the move.

Omran, 6, from Damascus, Syria
Photo: International Rescue Committee
Contents of the bag:
  • One pair of pants, one shirt
  • A syringe for emergencies
  • Marshmallows and sweet cream (Omran's favourite snacks)
  • Soap, toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Bandages

Aboessa, 20, from Damascus, Syria
What's in my bag? These are the only possessions Aboessa, from Syria, could carry with her when fleeing. Photo: International Rescue Committee
Aboessa left Syria with her husband and their 10-month-old daughter, Doua.
"Everything is for my daughter to protect her against sickness. When we arrived in Greece, a kind man gave me two jars of food. Another man gave us biscuits and water when he saw my baby," she said.
Contents of Aboessa's bag:
  • Hat for the baby
  • An assortment of medication, a bottle of sterile water, and a jar of baby food
  • Napkins for nappy changes
  • A hat and a pair of socks for the baby
  • Pain relievers, sunscreen and sunburn ointment, toothpaste
  • Personal documents (including the baby's vaccination history)
  • Wallet (with photo ID and money)
  • Mobile phone charger
  • Yellow headband

A pharmacist from Syria, who wished to remain anonymous
Photo: International Rescue Committee
A 34-year-old pharmacist from Syria carried these items with him in a small bag. His boat began leaking, and he ended up treading water for 45 minutes before he was rescued.
Contents of his bag:
  • Money (wrapped to protect it from water)
  • Old phone (wet and unusable) and new smart phone
  • Phone chargers and headphones (plus extra battery charger)
  • 16GB flash drive (containing family photos)

A family from Aleppo, Syria
Photo: International Rescue Committee
An extended family, from Aleppo in Syria, lost most of their possessions along the way and arrived with just one bag. There were seven women, four men and 20 children.
Contents of their bag:
  • One shirt, one pair of jeans, one pair of shoes
  • Toiletries
  • One nappy, two small cartons of milk and some biscuits
  • Personal documents and money
  • Sanitary pads
  • A comb


Aid for Syrian Refugees Fundraiser - unisex shirt design - front

Hello all, I started a booster to raise funds to donate to the Syrian American Medical Society. Please make sure to check it out and donate if you can. You get a t-shirt and get to help Syrians in need! 100% of funds from this campaign will go to the non-profit organization, Syrian American Medical Society.

https://www.booster.com/syriancrisis


Injured Syrian kids are seen at a field hospital after Assad regime forces' airstrikes on a market in the opposition controlled Damascus suburb of Douma, Syria on August 22, 2015. At least 50 people were killed after a barrel bomb attack by Syrian regime forces on Saturday in Syrias Douma.
The shelling of Douma by the Syrian government continues after the first bloody round of airstrikes this week. This latest round of bombardments resulted in the death of at least 20 civilians, according to AFP, and numerous other sources. In addition to the deaths, Al Jazeera has reported over 200 injured this past weekend alone. Hundreds of videos and photos have emerged from the Syrian suburb, each revealing a new horror. Videos of collapsed buildings, pictures of bloodied children, and images of the dead have made their way around numerous social media sites. I have posted only a few examples of these below. As usual, be warned as they may (and most likely do) contain graphic content. 

A wounded Syrian girl looks on at a makeshift hospital in the rebel-held area of Douma [AFP]




An injured Syrian is seen at a field hospital after Assad regime forces' airstrikes on a market in the opposition controlled Damascus suburb of Douma, Syria on August 22, 2015. At least 50 people were killed after a barrel bomb attack by Syrian regime forces on Saturday in Syrias Douma.


The response to these images and videos has been, to say the least, lacking. Reports state that the death toll is anywhere from 20-100 civilians, and yet we have seen relatively little outcry from social media sites anywhere in the world. This comes at no surprise, especially at this point in the war.

The Syrian Civil War is perhaps one of the most well-documented wars in history, with pictures, videos, and testimony emerging from the front lines daily. While it can be difficult to confirm the validity of such things in this day and age, it is impossible to dismiss with hundreds of reports and numerous first-hand accounts to back them up.

So, why then does the world ignore Syria; the humanitarian crisis of the century?

I have asked myself this question numerous times these past five years, and always find that I cannot come to a single, definitive, conclusion. Has the world lost interest in the conflict after nearly five years of war? Has the constant lack of resources, and daily death of civilians become a mundane, everyday thing to the rest of the world? Does the rest of the world look upon Syria as just another Middle Eastern problem, one to be ignored quietly after failure in Iraq?

Please, remember this tragedy. Do not forget Douma, and do not forget the rest of the Syrian people.

-Qamr



Both of these videos are graphic, and include the torture of children. If these children survive the war, they may be left with deeper psychological scars than physical ones. #SaveSyrianChildren



This video, obtained from http://www.genocideinsyria.org/#!starvation-under-siege-/c10ph contains the truly heartbreaking story of Farah, an infant that died due to starvation while under living in a Damascus suburb under siege. Farah was just one of the many children in Syria that faced these dire conditions. The site contains numerous other videos and images of children, mere infants, just like Farah. Please, take a moment, and consider donating to Life, a non-profit charity dedicated feeding Syrian and Iraqi families in need this Ramadan. A food basket, which provides a family of 5 or a group of orphans with a food supply that lasts an entire month, is only $150.

I have not yet had time to read the report myself, however, I wished to share it for those who may be interested.

Click here to read the full report




The town Busra al Harrir, in the Daraa governorate. The town has been "ferociously" attacked by barrel bombs since the early morning says Twitter user @bosoralharir





The martyr Hassan Al Shaabani
The age: 13 years
#Daraa

Bound: The full seven minute video actually begins by showing a group of men wearing orange jumpsuits being led into a desert clearing. They are then locked in an Opel car, which is destroyed by a grenade launcher

Moments from death: The as-yet-unnamed victims were filmed sitting in the locked car before it is destroyed





Smoke: The car is seen in flames meaning the badly injured victims are likely to have burned to death

Lowered: Standing up straight with their legs bound, the men look reasonably calm until the moment the cage is slowly lowered into the pool by the depraved Islamic State militants

Sickening: Filmed in the ISIS stronghold of Mosul, the horrific seven minute long video uses expensive underwater cameras to film the terrified men as they sink below the surface with no hope of escape





These images from the Daily Mail are from a new video uploaded by the extremist group Daesh. The first set of pictures a group of prisoners being executed by being locked in a car, which Daesh members then detonated with a grenade launcher. The second set of images is execution of a group of 5 prisoners who were lowered into a luxury swimming pool, and kept underwater until they drowned.

Below are images of Daesh placing explosive necklaces around their necks, which are then subsequently detonated.

The prisoners are accused of spying, and conspiring against Daesh. It is truly sickening to watch. The victims were forced to confess to the crimes, and then were promptly executed.

You can watch the video HERE. Warning: it is graphic.



For the past 4 years, every aspect of Syria has suffered. The media often focuses upon the political and social aspects of this suffering, but rarely do we see insight on the effects the war has had on the country's economy.

From the moment the first protest erupted, the Syrian economy was in decline. Currently, more than 5 millions Syrians have fled the country, almost 8 millions are internally displaced, and the death toll has long since passed the 200,000 mark. Estimates of the population decline in Syria are anywhere between 15-23% and it's not set to rise back up anytime soon.

Recent reports by media outlets such as the BBC and The Independent have emerged, stating that 'Syria's economy has been cut by half', and that it is 'on the brink of collapse'.

Frankly, I am surprised there is any semblance of an economy left. According to the reports, the Syrian pound ( or ليرة سوري) has lost about 80% of its value. Syrian exports have dropped from $12.5 billion to $2 billion. The poverty rate, estimated to be 64.8% in 2013, rose to 82.5% in 2014. Most of the Syrian population is currently described as living in, "extreme poverty".


The World Bank
The Independent
BBC
Aleppo central prison


By 
9:37PM BST 22 Jun 2015
Women prisoners in Syrian government jails are used as a "weapon of war", a network of rights groups said in a report on Monday, documenting sexual abuse and torture of detainees.
The report published by the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) documents what it describes as "arbitrary" detentions and contains testimony from dozens of former prisoners.
"Women have been increasingly weaponised in Syria's ongoing bloody war, with dire repercussions for the country's social fabric and the prospect of ending the conflict," the report wrote.
EMHRN released the report on the eve of a meeting in Geneva on Tuesday of the UN Rights Council which is expected to address the rights situation in Syria.
The 42-page report, entitled "Detention of Women in Syria: A Weapon of War and Torture", documents the cases of pregnant women held in jail and of mothers imprisoned with children under the age of 18.
The report details "horrendous violations perpetrated against women by the Syrian government... in a widespread and systematic manner, as well as the use of women as bargaining chips in hostage exchanges with anti-governmental armed groups".
Women held in Syrian government prisons are subjected to "various forms of deprivation, threats, solitary confinement, as well as different forms of torture, including rape and sexual harassment", it said.
Their ordeal continues long after they are freed, it said, citing people sacked from their jobs, others who were rejected by their families or forced to divorce their husbands.
Laila, a 38-year-old activist and mother of two jailed in 2013, recalled her interrogation "in a cold room full of rats" saying she was made to stand naked and was menstruating at the time.
Another prisoner, Sawsan, said she was raped by 10 members of the security forces - the first time in front of her 16-year-old son.
Other women said they were forced to make false confessions and to say they had practised "jihad sex" with rebels fighting the regime.
Michel Tubiana, EMHRN president, urged the international community to exert "intense efforts" to help such women.
"Intense efforts need to be made at international level in order to provide women who have been exposed to grave violations with adequate rehabilitation and protection mechanisms," he said.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates that more than 200,000 people, including thousands of women, are held in Syrian regime detention centres.
Aleppo Province:
The Number of civilians who were killed due to fall of more than 300 shells launched by the rebels and Islamic battalions on the regime- held neighborhoods of the New Siryan, the Old Siryan, Masaken al- Sabil, al- Aziziyyi, al- Ramosi, al- Isma’illiyyi, al- Masharfah, al- Shahbaa, near al- Rahman mosque and other places in al- Nile street in the city of Aleppo has risen to 34, including 12 children and 5 women. The death toll is expected to rise becauses there are 190 injuries, dozens of them in critical situation, in the largest massacre committed by the rebel battalions in the city of Aleppo.

Clashes took place between the rebel and Islamic battalions against the regime foces, backed by NDF and al- Baath battalions, in the neighborhoods of al- Khalidiyya, al- Rashidin, al- Ashrafiyya and on the outskirts of the neighborhood of Bani Zeid, accompanied by airstrikes on the clashing areas, information about casualties on both sides.

The regime forces launched several ground- to- ground missiles on the neighborhoods of al- Zibdiyyi and al- Mashhad.

IS lauched some shells on places in the town of Mare’ in north of Aleppo with no information about victims.



The inhumane torture of a child at the hands of the Assad's shabiha (secret police). Warning: Graphic (18+)

According to multiple sources, this attack took place on January 25th of this year. A Yazidi militia attacked two Sunni villages in northern Iraq, killing 21 civilians and abducting 40 more. The militia was said to have attacked without prejudice, and it is reported that the dead included the disabled, old, women, and children. The Yazidis themselves have suffered greatly at the hands of Daesh (ISIS) according to Al Jazeera. The Yazidis are a Kurdish religious community from northern Iraq.
This attack will only serve to increase already heightened tensions in the area.

Read the Vice article about this attack HERE
Read the Al Jazeera article about this attack HERE


Douma is a suburb about 10 km northeast of the Damascus. Every day, the war inches closer and closer to the capital.
Syrian medics sometimes rely on the guidance of doctors abroad to advise them on how to perform medical care via Skype calls. Perhaps more doctors would willingly volunteer in person, if medical workers weren't one of the regime's main targets...

Tag any friends you have in the medical field so they can sign on to the call to end the bombing of hospitals here: https://medicsunderfire.org/en?source=skype



The Syrian Campaign

Hello Readers,

I apologize for the long leave of absence, but I am officially back! Originally, this blog was an idea I came up with on a rainy Midwestern day. That's going to change. This blog blog is back! It will still be dedicated to the Syrian revolution, but there will be focus on medical conditions in Syria.

I will try to post every other day, but the schedule is not yet concrete. In addition, there is now a tumblr associated with this blog. Nothing up there yet, but be sure to check it out in a few days.

Qamr

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The worst humanitarian crisis of the century

The worst humanitarian crisis of the century
470,000 Syrians dead and wounded. Millions of refugees. Millions internally displaced.

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We are Syrians dedicated to documenting the atrocities committed during the Syrian Civil War

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