LCC Update: Press Release Regarding the Imminent Humanitarian Disaster in Homs

The Local Coordination Committees in Syria

Baba Amr: Killing, torture, and siege, and an imminent humanitarian disaster.

Since the beginning of the Syrian Revolution (March 15, 2011) Baba Amr (a borough in southwest Homs) has been one of the most active neighbourhoods in the Revolution, and hence has been subjected to multiple brutal military and security campaigns during which dozens of martyrs and thousands of wounded have fallen, and thousands are now either detained or missing. All these sacrifices have been to achieve the Revolution’s goals: to topple the totalitarian regime and to build a civil and democratic state.

Since the evening of Monday, September 19, 2011, this area has been experiencing a real disaster and extreme terror. Security thugs and Shabbiha have besieged the Hikma Hospital (near Baba Amr) and kidnapped 18 wounded patients, several of whom were in critical condition. The Army and security forces subsequently blocked all roads leading to Baba Amr from Insha'at, following massive defections of approximately 200 armed soldiers and sergeants heading toward Baba Amr. The Army began its intense and indiscriminate gunfire from BRDMs at houses and water tanks to terrorize people. Next, they stormed homes, arrested many residents, and took them to Al-Basel Stadium, close to the Baba Amr neighbourhood, and which was recently converted into a prison.

The Army’s operations have resulted in the death of nearly a dozen civilians. Among them, thus far, are: Turki Marwan Bakir, Jihad Haji, Umm Tarad Hijjo, Mohammed Ghazi Qosairawi, and dozens of wounded whose families cannot seek medical treatment because of the siege and the curfew imposed on the area.
Defected soldiers tried to defend themselves for some time in the face of the random bombing and shooting rampage while they were being chased, before retreating toward the orchards so as to not further endanger civilians.

In view of this brutal and violent raid, a real humanitarian crisis is developing, what with the lack of communications, electricity, and water, as well as a severe shortage of food supplies.

The Local Coordinating Committees in Syria views this vicious attack in the Baba Amr area as a desperate new attempt by the regime to bring Free Syrians to their knees, and as a means of ending the Revolution, which calls for freedom and dignity for the people of Syria.

We call upon the international community and local, Arab, and international human rights organizations to apply additional pressure on the regime and to denounce the regime’s barbaric practices and crimes against humanity. The peaceful Revolution of Syria will work to bring those responsible for such violations and crimes to the International Criminal Court.

Victory for our Revolution and God’s mercy upon our innocent martyrs