Mittwoch, 30. Mai 2012

Houla massacre


The Houla massacre was an attack that took place on May 25, 2012, in two opposition-controlled villages in the Houla Region of Syria, a cluster of villages north of Homs. According to the United Nations, 108 people were killed, including 34 women and 49 children.[3] While a small proportion of the deaths appeared to have resulted from artillery and tank rounds used against the villages, the U.N. later announced that most of the massacre's victims had been "summarily executed in two separate incidents",[4] and that government-linked militias known as Shabiha were the most likely perpetrators.[3] Residents say they had sent the U.N. a plea for help before the massacre, warning of an imminent attack by the government, but the U.N. monitors did not respond.[5]
The Syrian government alleged that Al-Qaeda terrorist groups were responsible for the killings,[6][7] while Houla residents[8] and opposition groups alleged that the Syrian military and government-linked militias known as Shabiha were the perpetrators.[9]
The fifteen nations of the United Nations Security Council unanimously condemned the Syrian government for its role in the massacre,[1][10] with Syrian allies Russia and China agreeing to a resolution for the first time.[11] The U.S., U.K., and nine other nations jointly expelled Syrian ambassadors and diplomats.[12] Turkey and Japan later expelled Syrian diplomats, this increased the nations doing this to 13.[13]

Background

The Syrian government has a history of committing massacres, such as the Siege of Aleppo (1980), the Tadmor prison massacre, the Hama massacre, and several massacres that occurred during the ongoing Syrian uprising.
Houla was a regular protest hub, even before army defectors formed the Free Syrian Army. The Syrian army had raided and killed protesters in Houla before.[14][15]
According to Al Jazeera's correspondent Hadi al-Abdallah, the Free Syrian Army had gained control of the town of Houla, and it became a hub for opposition militants. The Syrian Army was unable to enter the town, forcing them to shell it from a distance.[9]

[edit]Events

On May 25, 2012, video emerged on the internet by activists showed the bloodstained bodies of many children huddled on a floor in the dark.[16] Some of the children had had their skulls split open.[17] Others had been shot or knifed to death, some with their throats cut.[18] The video also featured a man's voice screaming, "These are all children! Watch, you dogs, you Arabs, you animals – look at these children, watch, just watch!"[19] Another video showed what was said to be a mass burial of the victims.[20]
Syrian activists said several families were slaughtered by security forces on the edge of town. Some died in heavy shelling, while others who were caught were summarily executed. Scores were wounded in the violence.[16] Some Houla citizens stated that they had attempted to contact U.N. monitors during the night of the massacre, but the monitors refused to come.[21]
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the massacre was perpetrated by the Syrian army, which attempted to break in to Houla after the town saw many anti-government protests. Political activists said that Syrian government forces and loyalists fired heavy weapons. According to the Syrian National Council, over 110 civilians were killed by the army, of which half were children. Some of the victims had been hit with artillery and entire families were reportedly massacred.[9] The U.N. later announced that most of the massacre's victims had been "summarily executed in two separate incidents" in Taldo, one of the villages that make up Houla.[4]
The Local Coordination Committees, a network of opposition activists inside Syria, stated that the attack by the military was preceded by mortar shelling of the town, which in itself left entire families dead. The group gave the figure of 88 dead in the attack.[9][22] Other activists blamed Assad loyalists of the surrounding Alawite towns for the violence. Local man, who gave his name as Abu Bilal al-Homsi, accused Alawites in ranks of Shabiha of executions of locals in town of Taldo, where they bayoneted civilians as a retaliation for earlier Friday demonstration and attack of Free Syrian Army fighters on army checkpoints in vicinity of the towns.[9][23]
On May 28 the foreign minister sent identical letters to the United Nations Security Council, the U.N. General Secretariat and the Geneva human rights bodies giving the details of the government's account of what happened in Houla. According to this, hundreds of gunmen gathered around the locations of the massacres, armed with heavy weapons including anti-tank missiles. The letter read, "The terrorists started the offensive at 2:00 pm on Friday, attacking the area from al-Rastan, Talbiseh and al-Qseir, savagely killing several families, including children, women and elders." The letter supplied the names of the dead. It further explained that armed terrorist groups had burned crops and houses and also vandalized the national hospital in Taldo. Five positions of the Syrian military, outside the affected area, had also been attacked by the militia, and these clashes had lasted until 11 pm. 3 soldiers had been killed and 16 injured in the fighting. The ministry stated that no tanks had entered the area.[6]
Locals from Houla told the BBC that the massacre was committed by "mercenaries of the regime".[19]

[edit]Aftermath

U.N. observers visited the site on the following day, viewing the bodies of the dead in a morgue.[24] They confirmed that at least 90 civilians were killed, including at least 32 children.[19] Robert Mood, the U.N. mission head, described the killings as "indiscriminate and unforgivable" and said that U.N. observers could confirm "the use of small arms, machine gun[s], artillery and tanks".[19]On the day of the attacks, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the Syrian government's "unacceptable levels of violence and abuses", including use of heavy weapons on civilian populations, before the U.N. Security Council.[9] The U.N. report on the killings strongly implied that forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad were responsible for the slaughter, demanding "that the Syrian Government immediately cease the use of heavy weapons in population centers."[25]
Several towns held rallies to protest the killings. In a Damascus neighborhood women were filmed carrying papers that read "Banish the U.N. tourists" and "The Syrian regime kills us under supervision of the U.N. observers".[9]
The Free Syrian Army stated that it could no longer honor the ceasefire if the safety of civilians was not guaranteed,[19] and that the peace plan negotiated by Kofi Annan was "dead".[26] Members of the group stated their intent to retaliate against government forces.[26]
The official Syrian news agency SANA wrote that the attacks fit a pattern of the opposition armed groups escalating their crimes before Security Council sessions on Syria, or in this case, coinciding with Annan's announced visit to the country. The news agency cited a March 15 massacre in the Karm Allouz neighborhood in Homs in which 15 Syrians were killed, including a woman and her four children, one day before a Security Council session on Syria.[7]
On May 27, the U.S., France, Britain, and Germany proposed a collective statement at the U.N. condemning the Syrian government in "blistering" language, accusing it of using tank shells and artillery on a civilian population. However, Russia blocked the statement's adoption.[10] Kuwait called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League to discuss the attacks.[10] Later in the day, the fifteen nations that comprise United Nations Security Council unanimously condemned the Assad government for its role in the attack, though the language avoided direct blame for the deaths.[10]Previous Assad supporters Russia and China, who had blocked two previous resolutions, voted in support of the motion. The U.S. expressed hope that the vote marked a "turning point" in Russia's backing of Assad.[11]
On the same day, the Syrian government renewed shelling of Houla, and set up snipers in the area in an apparent attempt to prevent any more civilians from speaking with observers.[23]
On May 28, Human Rights Watch released a report of interviews with survivors and area activists, in which all stated that the massacre was committed by pro-government gunmen in military fatigues. However, the witnesses were unable to say whether gunmen belonged to armed forces or militia, commonly known as Shabiha. HRW was also given a list of casualties, from which 62 victims were members of Abdel Razzak family.[27]
On May 29, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the U.S. announced that they were expelling Syrian diplomats in response to the massacre.[28][29][12]

[edit]Reactions

[edit]Domestic

  • Syria Syrian Government: Syrian deputy foreign minister Faisal Mekdad said that "[t]here is a huge, misleading, well-planned campaign to distort the facts on the ground and mislead the people."[30] Spokesman for the Syrian Foreign Ministry, Jihad Makdissi, said in a press conference on May 27 “We completely deny responsibility for this terrorist massacre against our people.” He also repeated the claim that the Syrian government was the target of a “tsunami of lies. [...] Women, children and old men were shot dead, [...] This is not the hallmark of the heroic Syrian army.” As had already been claimed the day before by the state-owned news agency SANA, Makdissi also pointed to the "suspicious coincidence" that the attacks occurred in conjunction with the visit to Syria on May 28 by Kofi Annan, making them "a slap to the political process." The foreign ministry spokesman informed that a military judicial committee is investigating the massacre and that its findings would be announced in three days.[10][31] He also emphasized that no tanks or artillery had entered al-Houla town, and that law enforcement units "never left their positions" being pinned down in self-defense. He also said, "The Syrian state is responsible for protecting civilians according to the constitution and Syria preserves its right to defend its citizens."[31]
  • Local Coordination Committees: "We in the Local Coordination Committees are pained by the international community's apparent blindness to the bloodshed, and believe the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) bears the responsibility for its inability to protect Syrian civilians."[22]
  • Syrian National Council: The SNC called on the U.N. Security Council to examine the massacre that had taken place in Houla.[17] Burhan Ghalioun, former leader of the SNC, called for a "battle of Liberation" in Syria, asking Syrian civilians and FSA alike to engage in combat with the Syrian government until foreign countries intervene.[32]

[edit]International

  • United Nations – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the U.N. special envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, described the attack as an “appalling and brutal crime involving indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force [which] is a flagrant violation of international law and of the commitments of the Syrian government to cease the use of heavy weapons in population centers and violence in all its forms.” They called on the Syrian government to cease the use of heavy weapons in densely populated areas, and they reiterated the call for all sides to cease violence.[10] On May 28, United Nations Security Council unanimously condemned the killing of at least 108 people and confirmed that massacre took place amid "series of government artillery and tank shellings on a residential neighborhood", what Syrian government denied just hours before.[33]
  • Arab League – Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby described the events as a "horrific crime," calling on the Syrian government to "stop the escalation of killing and violence by armed gangs and government military forces."[19]
  • Australia – Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr called on the Syrian government to withdraw from all military action and described the "massacre of civilians" as a "hideous and brutal crime". Senator Carr also explained that the Syrian Chargé d'affaires, Mr Jawdat Ali and another Syrian diplomat would be expelled by Australia and would be required to leave the country by May 31, 2012.[34]
  • Bulgaria - Bulgarian Foreign Ministry formally expelled the Syrian ambassador and two other diplomats, and temporarily withdrew its diplomatic staff from Damascus in response to what it calls a "monstrous massacre".[35]
  • China – Chinese Foreign Liu Weimin said that "China feels deeply shocked by the large number of civilian casualties in Houla, and condemns in the strongest terms the cruel killings of ordinary citizens, especially women and children".[36]
  • France – France condemned the "massacre in Houla" and called for greater international action. Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced arrangements for a Paris meeting of a "Friends of Syria" group.[9] President François Hollande stated that military intervention could not be ruled out.[38]
  • Germany – German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said that "It is appalling that the Syrian regime does not put an end to the brutal violence against its own people ... Those responsible for this crime must be punished."[39]
  • Hungary - According to the Hungarian government's website, the Hungarian Foreign Ministry "most firmly condemns the murder of more than hundred persons including children in Houla, Syria. We express our most sincere condolences and deepest compassion to the families of the victims ... The deployment of military force against civilian population in such a brutal and inhuman manner is the most ruthless violation of fundamental human rights and the earlier commitments of the Syrian leadership. We call upon the Syrian Government to immediately end violence, support the mission of U.N. observers, and fully implement Kofi Annan’s six-point plan."[40]
  • Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had until the massacre refrained from any comments regarding Syria, expressed "appall at the continuous slaughter of innocent civilians by Assad's forces." He called on the international community to take action in light of "the continuous slaughter of innocent civilians" and added that "Iran and Hezbollah cannot be separated from Assad's massacre, and the world needs to take action against them as well."[41] The Israeli President Shimon Peres, meanwhile, proclaimed that "their president, who is supposed to be the father of their nation, became their murderer". He argued that "The reactions until now have been declarations; unfortunately, declarations don't stop murders and assassinations. I think the time has come to help the Syrians achieve peace and regain their freedom."[42]
  • Japan - Japanese government spokesman Osamu Fujimura [43] condemned the "inhumane violence" that had occurred in Houla, and expressed sympathy for the victims. He went on to state that "It is clear that the Syrian cabinet holds part of the responsibility over that crisis ... Japan will pressure Syria to implement the steps suggested by the U.N to put an end to violence and carry out its duties in protecting its citizens." [44]
  • Russia – Although before the massacre Russian rhetoric had often focused on Assad as a "reformer", Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in Moscow following a meeting with British foreign minister, "The government bears the main responsibility for what is going on" and that "Any government in any country bears responsibility for the security of its citizens".[46] Russia's reaction was considered to be a condemnation of the Syrian government.[47]
  • Switzerland- The Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs declared the Syrian ambassador to Switzerland (who also represents France and resides in Paris) is persona non-grata.[12]
  • Turkey – Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said that Turkey "deplores and condemns in the strongest terms the massacre of at least 110 innocent civilians, including 50 children, as a result of the rocket and artillery bombardment carried out by the Syrian security forces on May 25 against the town of Houla and the mass murders committed by soldiers and 'shebbiha' militias who entered into the town afterwards." He further stated that Turkey would continue its solidarity with the Syrian people as well as the international community for the democratic transition process based on the legitimate demands of the people to end tragedy experienced in Syria before it took more innocent lives.[48]
  • United Arab Emirates – The UAE called for an Arab League meeting regarding the massacre, describing the killing as "a violation to our humanity, and signifies the tragic failure of our collective Arab and international efforts to put an end to the violence against the civilians in Syria."[49]
  • United Kingdom – British Foreign Secretary William Hague called the massacre an "appalling crime" and stated that the British government would seek a "strong response."[19] He blamed the Syrian government and called an emergency meeting at the U.N. security council.[50]
  • United States – U.S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the U.S. condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the "atrocity" in Houla. She said the U.S. will work with the international community to put pressure on "Assad and his cronies," stating that their "rule by murder and fear must come to an end." She added, "Those who perpetrated this atrocity must be identified and held to account."[21] The American government said that this act was further evidence of an "inhuman and illegitimate Syrian government" that responds to peaceful political protest with "unspeakable and inhuman brutality."[51]
  • Vatican City – Vatican City released a statement saying that the "massacre causes pain and profound preoccupation to the Holy Father and the Catholic community as a whole" and asked for the "cessation" of violence.[52]
  • Vietnam - Vietnam Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi said:"We would like to give our regards and sympathies to families of the victims”.The Spokesperson added that Vietnam calls upon related parties in Syria to early conduct a subjective and full investigation into the case and seriously abide by the UN’s six-point peace plan to stabilize the situation in Syria and help Syrian people rebuild the country.

[edit]References

  1. ^ a b "UN condemns Syria over Houla massacre". Al Jazeera. May 27, 2012. Archived from the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  2. ^ Charbonneau, Louis (May 27, 2012). "U.N. says estimates at least 108 dead in Syria massacre". Reuters. Archivedfrom the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c Stephanie Nebehay (May 29, 2012). "Most Houla victims killed in summary executions: U.N.". Reuters. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Syria crisis: Most Houla victims 'were executed'". BBC News. May 29, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  5. ^ Chulov, Martin (May 26, 2012). "Massacre of the children as Syrian forces hit rebels". The Guardian. Archived from the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  6. ^ a b "Syria: Armed Terrorist Groups committed Taldao, al-Shoumarieh Massacres". DP News. SANA. May 29, 2012.Archived from the original on May 30, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  7. ^ a b Allafi, F.; Said, H. (May 26, 2012). "New Massacres by al-Qaeda-linked Terrorist Groups against Families in al-Shumariyeh and Taldo in Homs Countryside". Syrian Arab News Agency. Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  8. ^ Syrian diplomats expelled after Houla massacre, Channel 4 News, May 29, 2012
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Jordan, Rosiland (May 26, 2012). "Syrian activists decry 'massacre' in Houla". Al Jazeera.Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  10. ^ a b c d e f MacFarquhar, Neil (May 27, 2012). "U.N. Security Council Issues Condemnation of Syria Attack". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  11. ^ a b "US hopes Syria massacre sparks change in Russia". Agence France-Presse. Google News. May 29, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  12. ^ a b c "Several countries expel Syrian diplomats as EU mulls joint expulsion". Al Arabiya. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  13. ^http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/05/2012530105841216556.html
  14. ^ "UN: Syria death toll tops 2,700". Al Jazeera. September 19, 2011. Archived from the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  15. ^ "Syria: Security Forces Kill Five During Demonstrations In Houla". The Huffington Post. September 19, 2011.Archived from the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  16. ^ a b Muir, Jim; Hosea, Leana (May 26, 2012). "Syria crisis: Houla 'massacre leaves 88 dead'". BBC News. Archivedfrom the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  17. ^ a b "U.N. observers in Syria visit scene of Houla 'massacre:' state media". Al Arabiya. May 26, 2012. Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  18. ^ Cockburn, Patrick (May 27, 2012). "Exclusive dispatch: Assad blamed for massacre of the innocents". The Independent. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g "Syria crisis: Houla child massacre confirmed by UN". BBC News. May 26, 2012. Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  20. ^ "Amateur video shows mass burial after reported Houla massacre". The Telegraph. May 26, 2012. Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  21. ^ a b "Syria massacre in Houla condemned as outrage grows". BBC News. May 27, 2012. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  22. ^ a b Abedine, Saad; Roth, Yan,Richard; Holly; Sterling, Joe; Alkhshali Hamdi (May 26, 2012). "Syrian opposition begs for help after reported massacre". CNN. Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  23. ^ a b Spencer, Richard (May 27, 2012). "Syria: Assad regime accused of renewing attack on Houla". The Telegraph.Archived from the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  24. ^ "Sat, 26 May 2012, 10:21". Al Jazeera. May 26, 2012.Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  25. ^ Mackey, Robert (May 26, 2012). "U.N. Observers View Bodies in Syrian Village". The New York Times. Archivedfrom the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  26. ^ a b "With Annan's peace plan 'dead,' rebel Syrian army calls for retaliatory attacks". CNN. May 27, 2012. Archivedfrom the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  27. ^ "HRW: UN must probe Houla massacre". NOW Lebanon. AFP. May 28, 2012. Archived from the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  28. ^ "U.S., 7 other countries expelling Syrian diplomats after massacre". CNN. May 29, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  29. ^ "Bulgaria to Expel Syrian Chargé d'Affaires - Report". Sofia News Agency. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  30. ^ "Houla massacre ‘indiscriminate and unforgivable’ – UN mission chief". RT. Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  31. ^ a b "Makdessi: Syria will establish Investigative Committee on Houla Massacre". DP News (Syria). May 27, 2012.Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  32. ^ "Syrian opposition calls for ‘battle of liberation’ if U.N. fails to end bloodshed". Al Arabiya. May 27, 2012. Archivedfrom the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  33. ^ Oweis, Khaled Yacoub; Charbonneau, Louis (May 27, 2012). "U.N. Security Council condemns Syria over massacre". Reuters. Archived from the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  34. ^ Ireland, Judith (May 29, 2012). "Carr expels Syria's man". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  35. ^ "Bulgaria Formally Kicks Out Syrian Ambassador over Houla Massacre". Sofia News Agency. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  36. ^ "China condemns 'cruel killings' of civilians". China Daily. May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  37. ^ "Egypt condemns massacre in Syria Houla town".Kuwait News Agency. May 26, 2012. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  38. ^ "Hollande: Cannot 'allow Assad regime to massacre its own people'". BBC News. May 29, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  39. ^ "Germany 'Appalled' by Syria Killings". Naharnet(Lebanon). March 26, 2012. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  40. ^ "Hungary Condemns the Houla Massacre". 29 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  41. ^ Ravid, Barak (May 27, 2012). "Netanyahu: Israel 'appalled' by Syria massacre; Iran and Hezbollah must also be held responsible". Haaretz. Archived from the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  42. ^ "Israel - May 29, 2012 - 13:56". Al Jazeera. May 29, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  43. ^ "Japan condemns recent massacre in Syria－ 毎日ｊｐ(毎日新聞)" (in (Japanese)). Mainichi.jp. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
  44. ^ "Japan condemns Houla massacre in Syria". May 29, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  45. ^ a b (Spanish) Otero, Silvia (28 May 2012). "México condena masacre en Siria". El Universal. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  46. ^ Ben Hubbard and Robert Jordans (May 29, 2012). "UN: Most of 108 killed in Syria were executed". Associated Press. CBS8. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  47. ^ "Russia Condemns Syria Over Massacre". Time. May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  48. ^ "Turkey condemns latest attacks by Syrian security forces in Houla". The Journal of Turkish Weekly. May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  49. ^ "UAE calls for urgent Arab League meeting over ‘Houla massacre’ in Syria". Al Arabiya. May 26, 2012. Archivedfrom the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  50. ^ "Sat, 26 May 2012, 16:33". Aj Jazeera. Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  51. ^ "Sun, 27 May 2012, 17:57". Al Jazeeera. May 27, 2012.Archived from the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  52. ^ "Vatican - May 29, 2012". Blogs.aljazeera.net. May 29, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2012.

[edit]External links



Eingestellt von um

Keine Kommentare:

Kommentar veröffentlichen

Abonnieren Kommentare zum Post (Atom)