Syrian Cities
Boycott Parliamentary Elections
kl:11,21 08|05|2012 Sawtalkurd
Top Stories
- Syrian provinces witnessed massive demonstrations and general strikes in response to the parliamentary elections conducted by the regime.
- Regime forces tried to kidnap citizens in Daraa, Dael and Hamouriya to force them into elections centres.
- UN observers visited the Damascus suburbs of Madaya, Zabadani, Douma, and Kafarbatna.
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Summary of Events
Syrian provinces witnessed massive demonstrations and general strikes in response to the parliamentary elections conducted by the regime. Response rates varied between the different cities, towns and villages, from partial strikes to full strikes in Daraa Mahatta, Jleen, Tesil, Dael, Ghabagheb, Inkhel, Jassem, and Yadouda in the province of Daraa; Hayalin, Jalma, Jerniya, Awaina, and Rawda in the province of Hama; Kobani in the province of Aleppo; the neighbourhoods of Asali and Maidan in Damascus, and the suburbs of Hamouriya and Sbaina; and the city of Boukamal and Deir Azzour. Regime forces even resorted to kidnapping citizens in Daraa, Dael and Hamouriya to force them into election centres. It also raided Asali, Maidan, and Sbaina to wreck and permanently shut down striking commercial establishments.
UN observers visited the Damascus suburbs of Madaya, Zabadani, Douma, and Kafarbatna. Regime forces conducted arbitrary arrests and sweeps and opened fire on the residents as soon as the observers left.
The Assad regime continued to violate Annan’s peace plan, as its forces raided and shelled the town of Hayan in Aleppo, shelled the towns of Jabal al-Zawiya and Ariha in the province of Aleppo, and opened heavy machinegun fire in the towns of Tafas, Yadouda, and Jiza in Daraa.
As for the capital, Assad’s forces raided the neighbourhoods of Maidan, Nahar Aisha, and Jobar. They also conducted arbitrary arrests and opened heavy fire in the neighbourhood of Mazzeh, and shelled the Damascus suburb of Damir.
Regime forces killed at least 35; 11 in Homs as the Syrian army continued to shell the city, nine in Hama, and six in Deir Azzour as security forces opened heavy fire at demonstrations and funeral processions that broke out in the provinces.