Egypt's FM highlights 'soft power' in Mali meeting with alumni    Egypt's foreign minister opens business forum in Niger, targets new partnerships    Egypt's FM delivers Al-Sisi message to Niger's leader, seeks deeper security ties    Rafah Crossing 'never been closed for one day' from Egypt: PM    Egypt will keep pushing for Gaza peace, aid: PM    Remittances from Egyptians abroad surge 70% YoY in July–May: CBE    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    Egypt's current account gap narrows, but overall BoP records deficit    Al-Sisi urges accelerated oil, gas discoveries, lower import bill    SCZONE signs $52.6m textile industry deals during China investment tour    Egypt hosts international neurosurgery conference to drive medical innovation    Egypt's EDA discusses Johnson & Johnson's plans to expand investment in local pharmaceutical sector    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi calls for boosting oil & gas investment to ease import burden    EGX to close Thursday for July 23 Revolution holiday    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Egyptian Drug Authority discusses plans for joint pharmaceutical plant in Zambia    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt foils terrorist plot, kills two militants linked to Hasm group    Giza Pyramids' interior lighting updated with new LED system    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Rebels keep pressure on Assad, fight near gov't buildings
Published in The Egyptian Gazette on 19 - 07 - 2012

AMMAN/BEIRUT- Syrian rebels clashed with forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, while across much of the city streets were deserted and houses and shops shuttered for fear of violence after Wednesday's killing of three close Assad allies.
Efforts to forge a diplomatic solution appeared to collapse when Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that threatened Syrian authorities with sanctions if they did not stop using heavy weapons and pull troops from towns.
In Damascus, residents said the city appeared paralysed after the killing of Assad's brother-in-law, defense minister and a top general in a bomb attack on a security meeting. Some districts suffered heavy shelling.
Syrian TV flashed a warning on its screen, telling residents that gunmen disguised in Republican Guard uniforms were spreading through several of Damascus's troubled districts, saying "they are planning to commit crimes and attack people."
Activists also issued counter warnings, saying real Republican Guard forces were in Midan. "We tapped into their walkie-talkies ... we are afraid of a massacre," said activist Samir al-Shami.
Assad, who had no made no public statement or appearance since the stunning bombing attack on a crisis meeting of his defense and security chiefs, was shown on Syrian television on Thursday at the swearing in of his new defense minister.
"Everyone is looking now at how well Assad can maintain the command structure. The killings yesterday were a huge blow, but not fatal," said a Western diplomat following Syria.
Residents said there was no let-up in the heaviest fighting - now in its fifth day - to hit the Syrian capital in a 16-month revolt against Assad. His family has dominated for 42 years the pivotal Arab country bordering Israel, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.
Western officials fear rising unrest in Syria, which some have called a civil war, could spill across its borders.
Residents said a heavy onslaught of security force shelling and firing from helicopters went through the night and continued on Thursday in Damascus. Some reported explosions in the troubled north-eastern and southern districts of the capital.
A witness said rebels attacked the main police headquarters in Damascus. "Gunfire has been intense for the past hour. It is now dying down but the streets around the police command remain empty," said a resident of Qanawat, an old central distric where the Damascus Province police headquarters is located.
Areas without fighting were largely deserted. Residents said the roads to many southern districts where fighting was heaviest were closed or peppered with checkpoints.
The streets of the city centre were nearly empty and there was no trace of the rebels, even as the sound of fighting could be heard in several areas. Most shops were shuttered.
But in areas where there was fighting, some of it leaving a trail of bloody corpses in the streets, residents were nervous and confused.


Clic here to read the story from its source.