cfc: mediterranean basin review, 10 july 2012

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C I V I L - M I L I T A R Y F U S I O N C E N T R E

Mediterranean Review

In Focus 1HoA: Land & Sea 2North Africa 4Northeast Africa 6Syria 8

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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This document provides an overview of developments in the Mediterranean Basin and other regions of

interest from 26 June 09 July, with hyperlinks to source material highlighted and underlined in the

text. For more information on the topics below or other issues pertaining to the region, please contact the

members of the Med Basin Team, or visit our website at www.cimicweb.org.

July 10, 2012

In Focus: The New Egyptian PresidentBy Laura Kokko

The Muslim Brotherhoods Mohamed Morsi won the presidential elections in late June with

51.73% of the vote, beating Ahmed Shafiq, a former air force commander and Hosni Mubaraks

last Prime Minister. But before the results of the presidential run-off were announced, the Supreme

Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) claimed all legislative power for itself in a series of swift

moves. First, the Supreme Constitutional Court, whose members were appointed in the Mubarak

era, ruled a large part of the parliamentary seats invalid because of a legal misstep. Then, SCAF

formally dissolved the Brotherhood-led parliament and issued a proclamation that grants SCAF

powers to initiate legislation, control budgets and appoint the panel to draft the countrys new con-

stitution, reportsAgence France-Presse (AFP). SCAF also granted itself the right to veto any arti-

cle in any draft constitution it considers contrary to the supreme interests of the country.

On 08 July, Egypts newly-elected president orderedparliament to reconvene, a month after it was

dissolved by SCAF, until a new election is held, reports BBC. According to a source who spoke

with al Masry al Youm, the military council was surprisedby Morsis decision, prompting SCAF

to hold an emergency meeting on the evening of 08 July. Reuters reports that this has potential to

put Morsi on a collision course with the military leaders that have ruled the country during the

interim period that began after the revolution last year. However, in his presidential decree, Morsi

said the recalled parliament would write the new constitution, adding that a new election would be

held 60 days after the constitution had been agreed by referendum. Open conflict between Morsi

and the military leaders was not expected, as the Muslim Brotherhood has said repeatedly it wants

to avoid a confrontationwith the army. (continued on page 10)
https://www.cimicweb.org/https://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-18571580http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-18571580http://me.aljazeera.net/?name=aj_standard_en&i=8784&guid=201262023501862710&showonly=1http://me.aljazeera.net/?name=aj_standard_en&i=8784&guid=201262023501862710&showonly=1http://news.yahoo.com/egypts-court-says-parliament-dissolved-140901829.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/egypts-court-says-parliament-dissolved-140901829.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18494793http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18494793http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hsc1QvlmZWLwpIyoiS6KSD8w97UA?docId=CNG.43956ba2481f4609cdfe2e0c7ac4e00b.261http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hsc1QvlmZWLwpIyoiS6KSD8w97UA?docId=CNG.43956ba2481f4609cdfe2e0c7ac4e00b.261http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18761403http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/military-source-scaf-surprised-morsy-s-decisionhttp://www.egyptindependent.com/news/military-source-scaf-surprised-morsy-s-decisionhttp://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFL6E8I92OR20120709?sp=truehttp://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFL6E8I92OR20120709?sp=truehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18761403http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18761403http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFL6E8I54J320120705?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFL6E8I54J320120705?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFL6E8I54J320120705?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18761403http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFL6E8I92OR20120709?sp=truehttp://www.egyptindependent.com/news/military-source-scaf-surprised-morsy-s-decisionhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18761403http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hsc1QvlmZWLwpIyoiS6KSD8w97UA?docId=CNG.43956ba2481f4609cdfe2e0c7ac4e00b.261http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18494793http://news.yahoo.com/egypts-court-says-parliament-dissolved-140901829.htmlhttp://me.aljazeera.net/?name=aj_standard_en&i=8784&guid=201262023501862710&showonly=1http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-18571580http://www.cimicweb.org/https://www.cimicweb.org/


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C I V I L - M I L I T A R Y F U S I O N C E N T R E P R E S E N T S

Horn of Africa: Land & SeaBritta Rinehard [email protected]

Page 2

10 July 2012

DjiboutiDjibouti observed the 35thanniversary of its independencefrom France on 27 June. Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh pre-

sided over ceremonies at Camp Cheik Osman, which were attended by thousands of Djiboutian citizens, as well as the military, gov-ernment officials and partner nations, reports Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HoA).

EritreaThe US imposed sanctionson six people, including two Eritrean government officials, for allegedly supporting the Islamist militant

group al Shabaab in Somalia, reports Associated Press (AP). Eritreas external intelligence chief, Col. Tewolde Habte Negash, is

accused of providing training and support to al Shabaab and other groups, while senior Eritrean military officer Col. Taeme Abra-

ham Goitom allegedly organised armed opposition to the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG). The sanctions freeze all of

their assets under US jurisdiction and ban them from conducting business in the United States. The director of the US Treasurys

Office of Foreign Assets Control, Adam Szubin, said the United States is determined to target those who are responsible for the on -

going bloodshed and instability in Somalia.

Approximately five hundred Eritrean protestersstood in front of the US Embassy in Tel Aviv on 29 June to ask the United States for

help in verifying their refugee status and preventing their deportation from Israel, reports United Press International (UPI). MostEritrean asylum seekers living in Israel left their country to avoid military conscription, reports theJerusalem Post. Since the begin-

ning of 2011, about 236,000 Eritreans have fled as asylum seekers or refugees, mostly to Ethiopia or Sudan. On 08 July, Radio Neth-

erlands Worldwide (RNW) reported that Egyptian border guards arrested 47 Eritreansand 21 Ethiopians trying to sneak across the

border into Israel. The detainees stated that they each paid around USD 1,000 to human traffickers to help transport them.

EthiopiaThe Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports that six Ethiopian journalists, including prominent blogger Eskinder Nega, were

convictedof conspiring with Ginbot 7 which the government has designated a terrorist organisation and other outlawed groups to

overthrow the constitutional order. Ethiopia has been criticised for its anti -terrorism law, under which at least 11 journalists have

been charged within the last eight months, according to CPJ. Sentencing for the journalists, who have professed their innocence, is

expected on 13 July when the trial resumes with prosecutors reportedly requesting life sentences. CPJ East Africa Consultant Tom

Rhodes stated that With its ruling, the court has effectively criminalized free expression, trivialized the genuine threat of terrorism,

and undermined the credibility of the judicial system in Ethiopia. Sudan Tribune reports that CPJ is further concerned that the Ethi-opian government is becoming East Africas forerunner ofinternet censorship. In June, news surfaced that Ethiopia had obtained an

advanced new technology, known as the Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), which is used for network filtering and selectively blocking

websites. The government denies the allegations.

Reuters reports that Ethiopia plans to construct 5,000 km of railway linesby 2020. A Turkish firm, Yapi Merkazi, will build a USD

1.7 billion railway line as part of a project linking Ethiopia to the Red Sea port of Tadjourah, which is currently under construction in

northern Djibouti. The rail project is expected to be completed in approximately 3.5 years. The line will connect to the section under

construction by the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) as well as other sections to complete the route (see CFC

Mediterranean Basin Review26 June).

A truck driver smuggling 117 Ethiopian migrantsdumped as many as 45 dead bodies along a busy highway in Tanzania when he

discovered that people were suffocating in the container. He left the surviving migrants behind and drove off, writes Reuters. The

article states that Tanzania is a major transit route for migrants, which is used by smugglers to transport Somalis and Ethiopians to

South Africa and Europe.

KenyaFour Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) workers were rescuedon 02 July in Ali Guray, a Somali village close to the border, by

Kenyan and Somali troops and a pro-government militia called Ras Kamboni, states Somalia Report. The aid workers are in good

health and unharmed. The workers were kidnappedon 29 June from the worlds largest refugee complex, Dadaab, located in Kenya

about 100 km from the Somali border. The Dadaab complex has been the site of previous hostage -taking incidents. On 13 October

2011, gunmen kidnapped two female aid workers forMdecins Sans Frontires (MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders),

Montserrat Serra and Blanca Thiebaut; both women are still being held in Somalia.

SomaliaThe International Contact Group (ICG) met in Rome on 2-3 July to review the status of the Somalia Roadmap. While the ICG
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.hoa.africom.mil/getArticleFresh.asp?art=8046http://www.hoa.africom.mil/getArticleFresh.asp?art=8046http://www.startribune.com/nation/161453595.htmlhttp://www.startribune.com/nation/161453595.htmlhttp://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2012/06/29/Eritrean-migrants-seek-help-from-US/UPI-34551341002551http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2012/06/29/Eritrean-migrants-seek-help-from-US/UPI-34551341002551http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=275933http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=275933http://www.rnw.nl/africa/bulletin/egypt-seizes-68-trying-enter-israelhttp://www.rnw.nl/africa/bulletin/egypt-seizes-68-trying-enter-israelhttp://www.cpj.org/2012/06/eskinder-nega-5-exiled-journalists-convicted-of-te.phphttp://www.cpj.org/2012/06/eskinder-nega-5-exiled-journalists-convicted-of-te.phphttp://www.cpj.org/2012/06/eskinder-nega-5-exiled-journalists-convicted-of-te.phphttp://www.sudantribune.com/CPJ-Ethiopia-is-introducing-high,43124http://www.sudantribune.com/CPJ-Ethiopia-is-introducing-high,43124http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/06/28/ethiopia-railway-idINL6E8HRHO420120628http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/06/28/ethiopia-railway-idINL6E8HRHO420120628https://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Holder/Documents/n058%20CFC%20Weekly%20Sector%20Review%20-%20Med%20Basin%20(26-Jun-12).pdfhttps://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Holder/Documents/n058%20CFC%20Weekly%20Sector%20Review%20-%20Med%20Basin%20(26-Jun-12).pdfhttp://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/27/us-tanzania-migrants-deaths-idUSBRE85Q0K420120627http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/27/us-tanzania-migrants-deaths-idUSBRE85Q0K420120627http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/3496/NRC_Hostages_Rescued_in_Somaliahttp://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/3496/NRC_Hostages_Rescued_in_Somaliahttp://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/3488/4_Aid_Workers_Kidnapped_from_Dadaab_in_Kenyahttp://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/3488/4_Aid_Workers_Kidnapped_from_Dadaab_in_Kenyahttp://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Press_Releases_32/Somalia_Final_Communiqu_of_the_International_Contact_Group_on_Somalia_Meeting_in_Rome_printer.shtmlhttp://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Press_Releases_32/Somalia_Final_Communiqu_of_the_International_Contact_Group_on_Somalia_Meeting_in_Rome_printer.shtmlhttp://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Press_Releases_32/Somalia_Final_Communiqu_of_the_International_Contact_Group_on_Somalia_Meeting_in_Rome_printer.shtmlhttp://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/3488/4_Aid_Workers_Kidnapped_from_Dadaab_in_Kenyahttp://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/3496/NRC_Hostages_Rescued_in_Somaliahttp://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/27/us-tanzania-migrants-deaths-idUSBRE85Q0K420120627https://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Holder/Documents/n058%20CFC%20Weekly%20Sector%20Review%20-%20Med%20Basin%20(26-Jun-12).pdfhttp://in.reuters.com/article/2012/06/28/ethiopia-railway-idINL6E8HRHO420120628http://www.sudantribune.com/CPJ-Ethiopia-is-introducing-high,43124http://www.cpj.org/2012/06/eskinder-nega-5-exiled-journalists-convicted-of-te.phphttp://www.cpj.org/2012/06/eskinder-nega-5-exiled-journalists-convicted-of-te.phphttp://www.rnw.nl/africa/bulletin/egypt-seizes-68-trying-enter-israelhttp://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=275933http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2012/06/29/Eritrean-migrants-seek-help-from-US/UPI-34551341002551http://www.startribune.com/nation/161453595.htmlhttp://www.hoa.africom.mil/getArticleFresh.asp?art=8046mailto:[email protected]


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10 July 2012

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acknowledged that some progress has been made, several deadlines have been missed. The Group urges the Somali stakeholders to

adhere to the latest timelines, including for the opening (12 July) and closing (20 July) of the National Constituent Assembly, selec-

tion (15 July) and induction (20 July) of the new Federal Parliament, and election of the Speaker/Deputies (4 August) and President

(20 August). The ICG plans to meet again in September to hold a high -level discussion on emerging priorities.

Mareegreports that Somali president Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed and the president of the self-declared Somaliland, Ahmed M. Si-

lanyo, congratulated Somalis all over the world on the 52nd anniversaryof independence of the Somali Republic from its British and

Italian colonial rulers. President Ahmed said [t]he occasion comes as the people in south and north of the country opened a dia-

logue to discuss their future aspiration towards a unity of Somali people after two decade -long civil war and internal conflict. So-

malia Reportwrites that even as Somalia celebratedthe anniversary of its independence and subsequent union of the northern andsouthern regions, a pro-al Shabaab website called it a day of occupation, saying Somalia is at war and is not free.

Insufficient rain during the March to May Gu season will increase the need of aid, particularly to the agro-pastoral areas in the

south since there will be a subsequent shortfall of the rain-dependent harvest, according to Integrated Regional Information Net-

works (IRIN). The Gu season accounts for 60-70% of Somalias cereal harvests. Save the Children has raised alarmthat aid to So-

malia must increase as parts of the country are still dealing with the aftermath of last years drought, which was the worst in six dec-

ades, writesBBC. Many Somalis have been displaced due to conflict and poor food security.

Agence France-Press (AFP) reports that following a two-day operationin Mogadishu, Somali security forces said they arrested over

8,000 suspected al Shabaab fighters or those with links to al Shabaab. The operation was conducted by nearly 3,000 Somali forces

and their African Union allies. Of the 8,000 suspects detained, only 507 have so far been confirmed as having links to al Shabaab

and witnesses accuse the Somali forces of making indiscriminate arrests.

PiracyA two-day counter-piracy conferencein Dubai, Regional Response to Maritime Piracy: Enhancing Public -Private Partnerships and

Strengthening Global Engagement, concluded on 28 June. The high -level conference was attended by maritime piracy experts and

representatives from governments, industries, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the United Nations (UN). Briefing pa-

perscan now be accessed on the conference website. Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, an attendee at the conference,

stated he has 5,000 6,000 men standing by to form a local marine forceto tackle the piracy issue, and asked the international com-

munity to provide much needed arms, materials and equipment, reports Shabelle Media Network (SMN). In addition, he calls on

the international community to help protect Somalias territorial waters, stating [S]hips fishing in our water and companies dump-

ing chemical waste on our shores have to be stopped. President Ahmed believes international donors may be reluctant contribute

due to possible misuse of funds, reportsReuters. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has pledged USD 1 million to build a Somali

coast guard.

According to Seychelles Resources and Industry Minister Peter Sinon, the countrys fishing industry is recoveringfrom the nega-

tive effects of coastal maritime piracy. According to Sinon, the maritime security situation has improved due to armed guards onvessels and international anti-piracy efforts. Fishing vessels are returning and business at Port Victoria is increasing.

An investigationby the Danish authorities into the disruption of a dhow, Jelbut 37, by the warship HDMS Absalon, has now con-

cluded. The Jelbut 37 was operating as a pirate mothershipwhen it was intercepted and boarded by HDMS Absalon; resulting in the

capture of 17 pirates (who were later transferred for prosecution) and the release of 16 crewmembers. As a result of the disruption

two crew members were wounded and despite efforts by doctors from HDMS Absalon, their lives could not be saved. The investiga-

tion into this disruption concludes that that the actions by the Danish soldiers were lawful and that no further force than the situation

dictated was used.

In further NATO-related news, on 29 June a team from the HNLMS EVERTSEN boarded the Omani- flagged dhow Nebarkad,

which had been hijackedon 20 June off the coast of Oman. The seven crewmembers of the dhow were freed and seven suspected

pirates detained. Those pirates were later transferred to Oman for prosecution following the conclusion of an ad hoc transfer agree-

ment between the Netherlands and Oman. Updates on OOS and pictures can be found on its Facebookpage.

According to AP, China, India and Japan are now coordinating their patrolsoff the coast of Somalia with Japan leading the initia-

tive. South Korea may consider joining the arrangement in the future.
mailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topicmailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topichttp://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?Somalia-marks-52nd-year-of-independence&sid=24781&tirsan=3http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?Somalia-marks-52nd-year-of-independence&sid=24781&tirsan=3http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?Somalia-marks-52nd-year-of-independence&sid=24781&tirsan=3http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?Somalia-marks-52nd-year-of-independence&sid=24781&tirsan=3http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/3495/Al-Shabaab_Mocks_Somalias_National_Dayhttp://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/3495/Al-Shabaab_Mocks_Somalias_National_Dayhttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/95749/SOMALIA-Call-for-aid-scale-up-following-poor-rainshttp://www.irinnews.org/Report/95749/SOMALIA-Call-for-aid-scale-up-following-poor-rainshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18720207http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18720207http://news.yahoo.com/somali-forces-detained-500-islamist-links-205812298.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/somali-forces-detained-500-islamist-links-205812298.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/somali-forces-detained-500-islamist-links-205812298.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/somali-forces-detained-500-islamist-links-205812298.htmlhttp://www.counterpiracy.ae/http://www.counterpiracy.ae/http://www.counterpiracy.ae/http://www.counterpiracy.ae/http://www.counterpiracy.ae/briefing-papershttp://www.counterpiracy.ae/briefing-papershttp://www.counterpiracy.ae/briefing-papershttp://shabelle.net/2012/06/27/give-somalia-the-funds-and-well-end-piracy-in-a-year/http://shabelle.net/2012/06/27/give-somalia-the-funds-and-well-end-piracy-in-a-year/http://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL6E8HREAO20120627?sp=truehttp://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL6E8HREAO20120627?sp=truehttp://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/05/seychelles-piracy-idUSL6E8I52R520120705http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/05/seychelles-piracy-idUSL6E8I52R520120705http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/report-danish-soldier-likely-reason-2-hostages-died-during-anti-pirate-operation-off-somalia/2012/07/03/gJQA3xJVKW_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/report-danish-soldier-likely-reason-2-hostages-died-during-anti-pirate-operation-off-somalia/2012/07/03/gJQA3xJVKW_story.htmlhttp://www.manw.nato.int/pdf/Press%20Releases%202012/Ocean%20Shield/OOS%202012%2010.doc.pdfhttp://www.manw.nato.int/pdf/Press%20Releases%202012/Ocean%20Shield/OOS%202012%2010.doc.pdfhttp://www.manw.nato.int/pdf/Press%20Releases%202012/Ocean%20Shield/OOS%202012%2022.pdfhttp://www.manw.nato.int/pdf/Press%20Releases%202012/Ocean%20Shield/OOS%202012%2022.pdfhttps://www.facebook.com/OperationOceanShield#!/OperationOceanShieldhttps://www.facebook.com/OperationOceanShield#!/OperationOceanShieldhttp://www.sfgate.com/news/article/China-aligns-with-India-Japan-on-piracy-patrols-3680492.phphttp://www.sfgate.com/news/article/China-aligns-with-India-Japan-on-piracy-patrols-3680492.phphttp://www.sfgate.com/news/article/China-aligns-with-India-Japan-on-piracy-patrols-3680492.phphttps://www.facebook.com/OperationOceanShield#!/OperationOceanShieldhttp://www.manw.nato.int/pdf/Press%20Releases%202012/Ocean%20Shield/OOS%202012%2022.pdfhttp://www.manw.nato.int/pdf/Press%20Releases%202012/Ocean%20Shield/OOS%202012%2010.doc.pdfhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/report-danish-soldier-likely-reason-2-hostages-died-during-anti-pirate-operation-off-somalia/2012/07/03/gJQA3xJVKW_story.htmlhttp://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/05/seychelles-piracy-idUSL6E8I52R520120705http://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL6E8HREAO20120627?sp=truehttp://shabelle.net/2012/06/27/give-somalia-the-funds-and-well-end-piracy-in-a-year/http://www.counterpiracy.ae/briefing-papershttp://www.counterpiracy.ae/briefing-papershttp://www.counterpiracy.ae/http://news.yahoo.com/somali-forces-detained-500-islamist-links-205812298.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18720207http://www.irinnews.org/Report/95749/SOMALIA-Call-for-aid-scale-up-following-poor-rainshttp://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/3495/Al-Shabaab_Mocks_Somalias_National_Dayhttp://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?Somalia-marks-52nd-year-of-independence&sid=24781&tirsan=3http://www.cimicweb.org/mailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topic


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North AfricaEray Basar [email protected]

Linda Lavender [email protected]

AlgeriaAlgerian Energy Minister Youcef Yusfi said that his country would support an emergency meetingof the Organisation of Petroleum

Exporting Countries (OPEC), following the USD 30 decline in the barrel price of crude oil, reports the Gulf Times. Yousfi also said

that a continued decline will create a USD 18-20 billion loss in oil revenues for Algeria. In order to balance its budget, the country

needs an oil price of USD 112 per barrel, according to the countrys central bank.

Reuters reports that a 29 June suicide attackwounded three people and killed one at gendarme headquarters in Ouargla. Al Qaeda in

the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) was thought to be responsible for the attack; however, in a text message to Agence France-Presse

(AFP), militant Islamist group Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) claimed responsibility. A MUJAO

spokesman accused Algeria of backing Tuareg rebels against Islamists in northern Mali. Additionally, MUJAO said in a statement

sent toAFPthat they havebroken offtalks on the release of the Algerian diplomats who have been held hostage for ransom since 05

April. The militant group also holds three European aid workers hostage who were kidnapped from a refugee camp in Algeria. Asso-

ciated Press (AP) reports that the Algerian military has come close to neutralising AQIM in Algeria and has reduced AQIMs com-

batantsto only a few hundred. In other security news, Reuters states that a founding member of AQIM, Mokhtar Belmokhtar, was

killed in clashes in the northern town of Gao in Mali.

LibyaTensions across Libya ran highin anticipation of the countrys first democratic elections in four decades, according to AP. The elec-

toral commission offices in the eastern city of Benghazi were raided by dozensof unarmed pro-federalism demonstrators on 02 July

in advance of elections, reports CNN. After the incident, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Libyas Liberation Square vowing

to remain until national elections were successfully held. Meanwhile, key oil facilities in the restive east were shut down by protest-

ing groups that demanded greater representation in the eastern regions of Libya in advance of the scheduled electionsfor the 200-

member General National Congress, according to AFP. Also on the eve of the vote, gunmen shot down a helicopter outside Bengha-

zi carrying ballots to polling locations, killing one election worker, APreports. Despite the violence, AFPreports that on 07 July,

voters flocked to cast their ballots. Tripoli Post reported that voter turnout was above 60% with over 1.6 million votes cast. Al

Akhbar reported that some areas of unrest in eastern Libya experienced protests that required the closing of 24polling stations; a

small fraction of the 1,554 polling stations open throughout the country. Election observers reported that the Alliance of National

Forces (ANF) was leading in the vote counting, according to the Tripoli Post. On 08 July, the New York Times (NYT) confirmed the

leader indicating that the ANF coalition, led by former interim-

prime minister Mahmoud Jibril, was ahead of the Muslim Brother-hoods bloc. However, official election results will not be available for several more days.

Melinda Taylor, the International Criminal Court (ICC) lawyer detained since 07 June by

Libyan officials was released along with her four colleagues on 02 July, according to the

Telegraph. Upon her release, Taylor stated she believed that it would be impossible for her

client, the son of Moammar Gaddafi Saif al Islam, to receive a fair and impartialtrial in Lib-

yan courts, according toBBC.

On 26 June the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) signed a Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU) with the Libyan Armed Forces to provide support for the

integration of the rules of international humanitarian law in the training and operations of

Libyan forces.

According to Maplecroft, a global risk firm, the Libyan crisis of 2011 has resulted in a sig-nificant increase in arms circulation in the Sahel and West Africa region (see map). The

collapse of Gaddafis regime and the resulting weak National Transitional Council (NTC)

has allowed arms smuggling which has helped to fuel conflicts in the Sahel region.

MaliOn 07 July, during a summit in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called

for a national unity government in Mali to end the political chaos following a military coup that occurred in March 2012, reports

BBC. ECOWAS also urged the government to seek an international military intervention to assist in re -establishing the countrys

territorial integrity. The northern region of the country was seized by Islamist and Tuareg separatists following the coup. ECOWAS

also stripped coup leader Captain Amadou Sanogo of his status as a former head of state, reportsAP. A UN diplomat told BBCthat

before the UN Security Council would endorse an ECOWAS forcein Mali, the UN would need a clearer plan, more information

about what the objectives are, and more evidence that such a force would have a reasonable chance of meeting those objectives.

Page 410 July 2012

Source:Maplecroft 2012
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-e6frg6so-1226419818052http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/libya-helicopter-downed-killing-election-worker/874007b839f2481c8ca4202e529691eehttp://dawn.com/2012/07/07/violence-mars-eve-of-key-libya-election/http://www.wcvb.com/news/national/In-Benghazi-Libyans-vow-vote-will-go-on/-/9848944/15378806/-/12vfkm3z/-/index.htmlhttp://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/libya-helicopter-downed-killing-election-worker/874007b839f2481c8ca4202e529691eehttp://af.reuters.com/article/algeriaNews/idAFL6E8HSKF520120628http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2018640151_apmlalgeriaalqaidaunderpressure.htmlhttp://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2018640151_apmlalgeriaalqaidaunderpressure.htmlhttp://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/Mali+jihadists+say+have+broken+off+Algerian+hostage+talks/-/1066/1448930/-/10uqd8z/-/index.htmlhttp://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/06/30/223602.htmlhttp://af.reuters.com/article/algeriaNews/idAFL6E8HT8Z620120629http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=516962&version=1&template_id=48&parent_id=28mailto:[email 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10 July 2012

Countries in the region have expressed concern about the possible spread of Islamist militancy from northern Mali into neighbour-

ing countries. The UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 2056 which calls on UN states to submit names of individu-

als and groups linked to al Qaeda notably in the north of Mali and hasplaced sanctionsagainst the individuals, reports al Jazeera.

The UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) reported that armed groups controlling parts of northern Mali are recruiting child soldiers. At

least 175 boys have been recruited since March this year. There have also been reports of girls being raped and children being killed

or injured by explosive devices. Residents in northern Mali have reported that Islamists fighters from the rebel group MUJAO have

planted anti-personnel minesaround the town of Gao in order to stop a potential attack by Tuareg rebels. The alliance between Tua-

reg rebels and Islamists collapsed in June, and Ansar Dine and MUJAO now control all three of the regions main cities Timbuk-

tu, Gao and Kidal. Beginning in early July, members of Ansar Dine began to destroy historic and religious landmarksin Timbuktu,

reports Reuters. One of the sites included a 15 th century mosque, in addition to mausoleums and tombs. The group claims that the

shrines, based on a local Sufi version of Islam, are idolatrous. According to al Jazeera, a few days prior to the destruction,

UNESCO had placed the city on its list of endangered heritage sites.

MauritaniaMagharebia reports that Mauritanian army units confiscated 300 kg of explosives and detonators en routefrom Libya to Mali on 05

July. The contraband was seized after Mauritanian forces clashed with members of AQIM. Mauritanias recent security efforts have

focused on disrupting convoys that supply AQIM in the region, according to analyst Bechir Ould Babana. Also, Magharebia reports

that on 02 July, a Mauritanian criminal courtsentenced Isaa Ould Ahmed Salem and Mohamed Salem Ould El Dah to three years in

prison for attempting to create a terrorist organisation and inciting religious fanaticism. Mauritanians received the news with

cautious relief especially since the acquittal of one of the most prominent defendants, Mohamed Salem Ould Mohamed Lemine,

may ease Salafist tensions in the region. In other security news, on 08 July Mauritanian Foreign Minister Hamadi Ould Baba Ould

Hamadi arrived in Algiers to attend the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) security summit, according to Xinhua. Representatives from

Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia discussed ways to improve security cooperation between UMA members in com-batting threats in the Sahel Saharan region including the current events in northern Mali.

NigeriaThe ICRC is stepping up its support in violence-pronenorthern Nigeria. Working with the Nigerian Ministry of Health, the ICRC

has formed a surgical team that is ready to be deployed anywhere within the country to assist hospitals tasked to provide care in

mass-casualty situations.

On 29 June, gunmen ambushed and killed a local politicianalong with his family in central Nigeria, reports AFP. In the north-

eastern city of Maiduguri, attackers killednine construction workers on 02 July, according to AFP. A senior army officer indicated

that the attack was likely carried out by Boko Haram members. Approximately 200-armed Muslim herdsmen from the Fulani tribe

attacked Christian villagesin central Nigeria on 07 July, according toAFP. Later,APreported that raids and reprisal attacks had left

52 peoplein 13 Christian villages dead in the Jos region. The Nigerian military had moved into the middle belt to secure the area

that has been torn apart in recent years by ethnic and religious violence as the central states of Nigeria divide the countrys mainlyMuslim north from its predominantly Christian south. Finally, police operating in the north -eastern region of Nigeria clashed with

radical Islamistsin the city of Damaturu on 07 July, APreports. No military injuries were reported from the engagement which had

the characteristics of the militant group Boko Haram.

TunisiaTunisia is considering opening its bordersto Algeria, Morocco, and Mauritania to allow travel without passport or visa requirement,

according toMagharebia. Abdullah Triki, the Tunisian Secretary of State in charge of Arab and African Affairs, stated that the ac-

tion will increase tourism and economic development. Libya is not included in the plan due to the instability in the country and Al-

geria has reportedly rejected the decision on the basis that the free movement of people will increase security concerns.

A commission assigned to write the new media laws of Tunisia stopped workon 04 July purportedly due to a lack of will by the

government to establish the basis for free and independent media conforming to international standards, reports AP. The govern-

ment deniedthe commissions accusations of censorship and stated that the media is attacking the government and assuming the

role of the opposition, reportsNow Lebanon. In other government news, Tunis Afrique Presse(TAP) reports that Mohamed Abbou,the Minister of Administrative Reform has resigned from Tunisias interim government. According to Abbou, the resignation was

over controversy related to his creation of an administrative action monitoring mechanism, and unrelated to the current political

crisis over the extradition of Al Baghadi al Mahmoudi, Libyas former Prime Minister, to Libya. According to Reuters, Tunisian

parliamentarians are seeking a no-confidence voteagainst the Islamist-led government following the extradition of al Mahmoudi.

The political crisis has led to 75 parliamentarians signing a motion for a no -confidence vote and if the motion is passed, the govern-

ment will be forced to resign.

Have a question on North Africa?Submit an RFI or recommend a topic for future In Focus coverage.


http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/201275144749660939.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/201275144749660939.htmlhttp://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/2012/07/children-recruited-as-soldiers-in-northern-mali/http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/2012/07/children-recruited-as-soldiers-in-northern-mali/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18696159http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18696159http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18696159http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18696159http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86106820120702?sp=truehttp://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86106820120702?sp=truehttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/06/2012630101748795606.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/06/2012630101748795606.htmlhttp://magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2012/07/06/feature-02http://magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2012/07/06/feature-02http://magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2012/07/05/feature-02http://magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2012/07/05/feature-02http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/719624.shtmlhttp://www.globaltimes.cn/content/719624.shtmlhttp://reliefweb.int/node/507639http://reliefweb.int/node/507639http://reliefweb.int/node/507639http://reliefweb.int/node/507639http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/International/2012/Jun-29/178740-gunmen-kill-politician-wife-son-in-tense-central-nigeria.ashx#axzz204f5ES3Rhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/International/2012/Jun-29/178740-gunmen-kill-politician-wife-son-in-tense-central-nigeria.ashx#axzz204f5ES3Rhttp://news.yahoo.com/attackers-massacre-nine-workers-northern-nigeria-army-181017167.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/attackers-massacre-nine-workers-northern-nigeria-army-181017167.htmlhttp://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/45893-gunmen-attack-central-nigerian-villageshttp://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/45893-gunmen-attack-central-nigerian-villageshttp://news.yahoo.com/52-killed-central-nigeria-raids-reprisals-165332755.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/52-killed-central-nigeria-raids-reprisals-165332755.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/52-killed-central-nigeria-raids-reprisals-165332755.htmlhttp://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/fresh-clash-army-sect-members-nigeria-16732232#.T_oNOcxQljUhttp://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/fresh-clash-army-sect-members-nigeria-16732232http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/fresh-clash-army-sect-members-nigeria-16732232#.T_oNOcxQljUhttp://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/fresh-clash-army-sect-members-nigeria-16732232http://magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2012/07/06/feature-03http://magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2012/07/06/feature-03http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57466733/tunisia-commission-slams-govt-over-press-freedom/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57466733/tunisia-commission-slams-govt-over-press-freedom/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57466733/tunisia-commission-slams-govt-over-press-freedom/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57466733/tunisia-commission-slams-govt-over-press-freedom/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57466733/tunisia-commission-slams-govt-over-press-freedom/http://allafrica.com/stories/201206300177.htmlhttp://allafrica.com/stories/201206300177.htmlhttp://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/27/us-tunisia-govt-confidence-idUSBRE85Q0MP20120627http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/27/us-tunisia-govt-confidence-idUSBRE85Q0MP20120627http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/27/us-tunisia-govt-confidence-idUSBRE85Q0MP20120627http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/27/us-tunisia-govt-confidence-idUSBRE85Q0MP20120627mailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topicmailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topichttp://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.cimicweb.org/mailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topichttp://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/27/us-tunisia-govt-confidence-idUSBRE85Q0MP20120627http://allafrica.com/stories/201206300177.htmlhttp://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57466733/tunisia-commission-slams-govt-over-press-freedom/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57466733/tunisia-commission-slams-govt-over-press-freedom/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57466733/tunisia-commission-slams-govt-over-press-freedom/http://magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2012/07/06/feature-03http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/fresh-clash-army-sect-members-nigeria-16732232#.T_oNOcxQljUhttp://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/fresh-clash-army-sect-members-nigeria-16732232http://news.yahoo.com/52-killed-central-nigeria-raids-reprisals-165332755.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/52-killed-central-nigeria-raids-reprisals-165332755.htmlhttp://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/45893-gunmen-attack-central-nigerian-villageshttp://news.yahoo.com/attackers-massacre-nine-workers-northern-nigeria-army-181017167.htmlhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/International/2012/Jun-29/178740-gunmen-kill-politician-wife-son-in-tense-central-nigeria.ashx#axzz204f5ES3Rhttp://reliefweb.int/node/507639http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/719624.shtmlhttp://magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2012/07/05/feature-02http://magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2012/07/06/feature-02http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/06/2012630101748795606.htmlhttp://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86106820120702?sp=truehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18696159http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/2012/07/children-recruited-as-soldiers-in-northern-mali/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/201275144749660939.html


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Northeast AfricaAngelia Sanders [email protected]

10 July 2012

EgyptOn 26 June, Egypts Supreme Administrative Court nullified an earlier decree that enabled the military police to arrest civilians,reports Ahram Online. According to al Masry al Youm, hundreds of demonstrators have gone to the presidential palace to demand

that President Mohamed Morsi negotiate with the military to release detainees held in military prisons. The fate of detainees is seen

as an early test for President Morsi and it is believed that between 8,000 and 10,000 civilians are still being held by the military,

reports Reuters. The state news agency MENA reports that Morsi issued a presidential decree establishing an independent fact -

finding committee to investigate the murder and assault of protestersfrom the beginning of the revolution until the end of the transi-

tional period. The committee will comprise former judges, law professors and legal experts, in addition to six additional members

representing families of those injured and martyred. In other human rights news, civil society groups and human rights organisations

have launched the Our Rights in 100 Days campaign to evaluate the performanceof President Morsi during his first 100 days in

office, reportsBikya Masr.

The fatal stabbing of a male university student by three men identified as Islamists have led to fears in Egypt that Islamist -inspired

morality campaigns will increase as Islamists gain more political power, reports Reuters. However, Islamist groups, the Muslim

Brotherhood and more hard-line Salafi groups have voiced their opposition to religious coercion and violence. Some feel that these

incidents have been exaggerated or fabricated to scare Egyptians and discredit mainstream Islamist groups. The Egyptian Organiza-

tion for Human Rights has sent a fact finding mission to investigate the deathof the man, who was walking in the street with his

fiance, reportsMENA.

According to al Masry al Youm, Egypt will accept a USD one billion loanfrom the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation

which is affiliated with the Islamic Development Bank. The funds will be distributed to the Egyptian General Petroleum Corpora-

tion and the General Authority for Commodities.

South SudanSouth Sudan celebrated its one year anniversary as an independent country on 09 July. According to the Guardian, the year has

been scarred by conflictand corruption, crippling poverty, lack of infrastructure and tribal violence. However, the article under-

scored that 2011 was not year zero but rather South Sudan inherited half a century of marginalisation and that the country contin-

ues to be defined by an aggressive northern neighbour. Challenges for the country continue, causing the UN Security Council

(UNSC) to extend the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) by 12 months. The mandate will focus on civilian protection, im-provement of security and capacity-building efforts. The UNSC expressed concern about the humanitarian situation caused by

heightened insecurity along the Sudan/South Sudan border region and the conflict in Sudans South Kordofan and Blue Nile

States, as well as the inter-communal violence and widespread food insecurity. A report recently released by UNMISSs human

rights division underscores the UNSCs concern over inter-communal violence, indicating that nearly 900 South Sudanese died dur-

ing tribal violence in Jonglei state between late 2011 and early 2012.

Amnesty International reported that military weaponsfrom China, Sudan and Ukraine have triggered indiscriminate attacks by the

South Sudanese Armed Forces and armed opposition groups in South Sudans Unity state in 2010 and 2011 and called on govern-

ments to immediately stop supplying South Sudan with conventional arms until adequate systems of training and accountability

are in place. The Sudan Tribune reports that Phillip Aguer, the spokesperson for the SPLA, described the report as bias and

unrealistic. A separate report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) addressing the state of freedom of informationin South Sudan

indicates the country has not seen significant improvements in media freedom. Though it was stated that South Sudan does not sys-

tematically harass its media, there has been some isolated acts of repression and there is a growing tendency for journalists tocensor themselves. RSF places South Sudan at 111 out of 179 countries in its annual press freedom index. According to Agence

France Presse (AFP), the South Sudanese Parliament has yet topass media lawsthat would protect journalists.

Sudan and South Sudan resumed African Union (AU)-mediated security talkson 05 July in an effort to ease tensions along the dis-

puted border between the two countries, reports AFP. According to al Jazeera, Sudan and South Sudan verbally agreed to cease

hostilitiesalong their border; however, the two sides did not reach a formal agreement on a demilitarised buffer zone. The talks

have been hailed by both sides as helping to normalise relations and further talks will take place on 11 July. Additional agreements

must be reached on border demarcation and pipeline transit fees.

SudanThe Sudanese government has stated that it will allow a United Nations operation to deliver humanitarian assistanceto civilians in
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/46250/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-Supreme-Court-blocks-arrest-powers-for-milit.aspxhttp://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/46250/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-Supreme-Court-blocks-arrest-powers-for-milit.aspxhttp://www.egyptindependent.com/news/demonstrations-call-morsy-release-military-prisonershttp://www.egyptindependent.com/news/demonstrations-call-morsy-release-military-prisonershttp://www.egyptindependent.com/news/morsy-forms-committee-investigate-protester-deathshttp://www.egyptindependent.com/news/morsy-forms-committee-investigate-protester-deathshttp://www.bikyamasr.com/71580/egypt-civil-society-launches-our-rights-in-100-days-campaign/http://www.bikyamasr.com/71580/egypt-civil-society-launches-our-rights-in-100-days-campaign/http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFL6E8I5A5F20120705http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFL6E8I5A5F20120705http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/human-rights-organization-sends-mission-investigate-suez-student-s-deathhttp://www.egyptindependent.com/news/human-rights-organization-sends-mission-investigate-suez-student-s-deathhttp://www.egyptindependent.com/news/govt-accept-us1-bln-loan-islamic-development-bankhttp://www.egyptindependent.com/news/govt-accept-us1-bln-loan-islamic-development-bankhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/08/south-sudan-anniversary-un?newsfeed=truehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/08/south-sudan-anniversary-un?newsfeed=truehttp://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=42406&Cr=South+Sudan&Cr1=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=42406&Cr=South+Sudan&Cr1=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/south-sudan-arms-supplies-fuelling-violations-forgotten-conflict-2012-06-27http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/south-sudan-arms-supplies-fuelling-violations-forgotten-conflict-2012-06-27http://www.sudantribune.com/Amnesty-accuses-Sudan-China-and,43074http://www.sudantribune.com/Amnesty-accuses-Sudan-China-and,43074http://en.rsf.org/soudan-du-sud-report-world-s-youngest-country-03-07-2012,42933.htmlhttp://en.rsf.org/soudan-du-sud-report-world-s-youngest-country-03-07-2012,42933.htmlhttp://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5geianYiymOY3ob_rLwIvGLsOF8Dg?docId=CNG.684b4d7aacd3a292e3358aae5a0327af.281http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5geianYiymOY3ob_rLwIvGLsOF8Dg?docId=CNG.684b4d7aacd3a292e3358aae5a0327af.281http://reliefweb.int/node/508473http://reliefweb.int/node/508473http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/201277171143874711.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/201277171143874711.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/201277171143874711.htmlhttp://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-accepts-humanitarian,43075http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-accepts-humanitarian,43075http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-accepts-humanitarian,43075http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/201277171143874711.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/201277171143874711.htmlhttp://reliefweb.int/node/508473http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5geianYiymOY3ob_rLwIvGLsOF8Dg?docId=CNG.684b4d7aacd3a292e3358aae5a0327af.281http://en.rsf.org/soudan-du-sud-report-world-s-youngest-country-03-07-2012,42933.htmlhttp://www.sudantribune.com/Amnesty-accuses-Sudan-China-and,43074http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/south-sudan-arms-supplies-fuelling-violations-forgotten-conflict-2012-06-27http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=42406&Cr=South+Sudan&Cr1=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/08/south-sudan-anniversary-un?newsfeed=truehttp://www.egyptindependent.com/news/govt-accept-us1-bln-loan-islamic-development-bankhttp://www.egyptindependent.com/news/human-rights-organization-sends-mission-investigate-suez-student-s-deathhttp://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFL6E8I5A5F20120705http://www.bikyamasr.com/71580/egypt-civil-society-launches-our-rights-in-100-days-campaign/http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/morsy-forms-committee-investigate-protester-deathshttp://www.egyptindependent.com/news/demonstrations-call-morsy-release-military-prisonershttp://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/46250/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-Supreme-Court-blocks-arrest-powers-for-milit.aspxmailto:[email protected]


7/10

rebel-held areas of South Kordofan and Blue Nile state. Previously the government would not allow aid to areas controlled by the

Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) because they believed the aid would also benefit rebel groups. The AU and

Arab League have agreed to send observers to monitor the aid distribution. The SPLM -N leadership held talks with senior French

officials in Parisregarding the political situation in Sudan and the humanitarian crisis in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states. The

group said that Sudan continues to prevent aid groups from accessing rebel held areas, despite earlier promises on the contrary.

Sudan has entered into its third week of anti-government demonstrations that were triggered over anger at the governments recent

implementation of austerity measures and President Omar al Bashirs 23 years in power, reports al Jazeera. Witnesses said that

Sudanese police fired tear gasand used batons against student protesters on 27 June in the east of the country near the Eritrean bor-

der. Students retaliated by throwing rocks at security forces. Again, on 01 July, police fired teargas and used batonsto break up aprotest of 250 people in one of Khartoums poorest neighbourhoods, reports Reuters. According to al Jazeera, on 04 July, more

than 100 Sudanesejournalists protestedin Sudans capital against censorship and other media restrictions and Reporters Without

Borders has ranked Sudan 170 out of 179 countries on its annual press freedomindex. Following prayers on 06 July, hundreds of

Sudanese protesterswere fired on with teargas by police as they left the Iman Abulrahman mosque in Khartoum, the largest and

most famous mosque in Sudan. On the same day, a similar situation occurred at another Khartoum mosque. On the night of 07 July,

security agents arrested Kamal Omar, a prominent member of the oppositionPopular Congress Party, reports al Jazeera. On 08

July, al Jazeera further reported that about 1,000 students protested at the University of Khartoum and chanted the people want

the downfall of the regime and down, down with the military rule. The police fired tear gas and used batons to end the student

protest. The Organisation for the Defence of Rights and Freedoms, which represents political, media, trade union and other activ-

ists promoting human rights, claims more than 2,000 peoplehave been arrested and detained since the demonstrations began, re-

portsAFP. Protests were initially held daily with a few hundred people; however, recently, they have concentrated around Fridays

because the day of prayer is the easiest time to mobilise people. A senior Sudanese official blamed Zionist institutions inside the

United States and elsewhere for fanning the anti-government protests, reportsReuters. According to the Sudan Tribune, Bashir has

dismissed the protests as being organised by youthand street children, in addition to accusing political entities of exploiting Su-

dans economic crisis. According to AFP, Britain, Canada, the European Union, the United Nations, and the United States have

expressed concernover the response to the protests. According to E. J. Hogendoorn, the Horn of Africa project director for the In-

ternational Crisis Group, revolutionary pressureis building in Sudan; however, the Sudanese lack an organised and disciplined par-

ty that provides a core to the protest movement, something Egypt had with the Muslim Brotherhood. Though opposition parties

have given verbal support, they have not sent their followers into the streets, a decisive factor that caused regime change in Sudan

in 1964 and 1985.

Reuters reports that President Bashir said on 07 July that Sudans next constitutionwould be 100% Islamic and would be used to

set an example for neighbouring countries. Bashir did not give a date for the new constitution and already, floggings are common

punishment for crimes such as adultery and drinking alcohol. In other domestic news, the International Committee of the Red Cross

(ICRC) facilitated the handoverof 63 members of the Sudanese Armed Forces to the government. The soldiers were being held by

the Sudan Liberation Army-Minni Minnawi rebel group which is based in Darfur.

Humanitarian Crisis on Sudan and South Sudan BorderAn epidemiological study conducted by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF, also

known as Doctors Without Borders) revealed preliminary results that mortality

ratesnearly doubled the emergency threshold in refugee camps in South Sudans

Upper Nile state. The study was conducted in the Jamam camp which houses

close to 30,000 people, a fraction of the more than 200,000 people who have fled

fighting in Sudans Blue Nile and South Kordofan states. At the Jamam camp

alone, almost nine children are dying each day with 65% of deaths due to diar-

rhoea. Recent rains are expected to further exacerbate unhygienic conditions in

the camps. Already, heavy rains have caused latrines to overflow and contami-

nate standing water. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antnio Guterres

stated that humanitarian efforts in South Sudan are close to the breaking point

and flooded roadsblock access and the possibility of relocating people else-where even where better sites can be found. Additionally, UN officials have

said that land mines are also hampering relocationefforts.

Page 7

10 July 2012

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http://www.sudantribune.com/SPLM-N-leadership-holds-talks-in,43155http://www.sudantribune.com/SPLM-N-leadership-holds-talks-in,43155http://af.reuters.com/article/southSudanNews/idAFL6E8HRAU720120627?sp=truehttp://af.reuters.com/article/southSudanNews/idAFL6E8HRAU720120627?sp=truehttp://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86101420120702http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86101420120702http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/2012741948220585.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/2012741948220585.htmlhttp://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5geianYiymOY3ob_rLwIvGLsOF8Dg?docId=CNG.684b4d7aacd3a292e3358aae5a0327af.281http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5geianYiymOY3ob_rLwIvGLsOF8Dg?docId=CNG.684b4d7aacd3a292e3358aae5a0327af.281http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86509X20120706http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86509X20120706http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/20127817325560186.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/20127817325560186.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/many-arrests-sudan-demos-rights-group-140637200.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/many-arrests-sudan-demos-rights-group-140637200.htmlhttp://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86101420120702http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86101420120702http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86101420120702http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86101420120702http://www.sudantribune.com/Bashir-says-street-children-behind,43185http://www.sudantribune.com/Bashir-says-street-children-behind,43185http://news.yahoo.com/many-arrests-sudan-demos-rights-group-140637200.htmlhttp://news.yahoo.com/many-arrests-sudan-demos-rights-group-140637200.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/06/world/africa/sudan-opposition-movement-grows.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&partner=rss&emc=rsshttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/06/world/africa/sudan-opposition-movement-grows.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&partner=rss&emc=rsshttp://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86700C20120708?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=truehttp://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86700C20120708?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=truehttp://news.yahoo.com/sudan-rebels-free-63-sudan-troops-red-cross-171232742.html;_ylt=AvUDds3e3yalH_44uDvyd9z8aQ8F;_ylu=X3oDMTQ1YWFnOXVoBG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBXb3JsZFNGIEFmcmljYVNTRgRwa2cDY2VhMjY2ZjYtYzgwYy0zMzRmLWI0YjQtMDdiMTBiNGU4ZWY1BHBvcwMyMwRzZWMDdG9wX3N0b3Jhttp://news.yahoo.com/sudan-rebels-free-63-sudan-troops-red-cross-171232742.html;_ylt=AvUDds3e3yalH_44uDvyd9z8aQ8F;_ylu=X3oDMTQ1YWFnOXVoBG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBXb3JsZFNGIEFmcmljYVNTRgRwa2cDY2VhMjY2ZjYtYzgwYy0zMzRmLWI0YjQtMDdiMTBiNGU4ZWY1BHBvcwMyMwRzZWMDdG9wX3N0b3Jhttp://doctorswithoutborders.org/press/release_print.cfm?id=6106http://doctorswithoutborders.org/press/release_print.cfm?id=6106http://doctorswithoutborders.org/press/release_print.cfm?id=6106http://www.unhcr.org/4ff449f6fc5.htmlhttp://www.unhcr.org/4ff449f6fc5.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/07/world/africa/refugee-children-dying-at-alarming-rate-in-south-sudan-aid-groups-say.html?_r=2http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/07/world/africa/refugee-children-dying-at-alarming-rate-in-south-sudan-aid-groups-say.html?_r=2mailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topicmailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topichttp://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.cimicweb.org/mailto:[email protected]?subject=recommended%20report%20topichttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/07/world/africa/refugee-children-dying-at-alarming-rate-in-south-sudan-aid-groups-say.html?_r=2http://www.unhcr.org/4ff449f6fc5.htmlhttp://doctorswithoutborders.org/press/release_print.cfm?id=6106http://doctorswithoutborders.org/press/release_print.cfm?id=6106http://news.yahoo.com/sudan-rebels-free-63-sudan-troops-red-cross-171232742.html;_ylt=AvUDds3e3yalH_44uDvyd9z8aQ8F;_ylu=X3oDMTQ1YWFnOXVoBG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBXb3JsZFNGIEFmcmljYVNTRgRwa2cDY2VhMjY2ZjYtYzgwYy0zMzRmLWI0YjQtMDdiMTBiNGU4ZWY1BHBvcwMyMwRzZWMDdG9wX3N0b3Jhttp://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86700C20120708?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=truehttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/06/world/africa/sudan-opposition-movement-grows.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&partner=rss&emc=rsshttp://news.yahoo.com/many-arrests-sudan-demos-rights-group-140637200.htmlhttp://www.sudantribune.com/Bashir-says-street-children-behind,43185http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86101420120702http://news.yahoo.com/many-arrests-sudan-demos-rights-group-140637200.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/20127817325560186.htmlhttp://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86509X20120706http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5geianYiymOY3ob_rLwIvGLsOF8Dg?docId=CNG.684b4d7aacd3a292e3358aae5a0327af.281http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/2012741948220585.htmlhttp://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86101420120702http://af.reuters.com/article/southSudanNews/idAFL6E8HRAU720120627?sp=truehttp://www.sudantribune.com/SPLM-N-leadership-holds-talks-in,43155


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Page 8

10 July 2012


SyriaLinda Lavender [email protected]

GovernanceWorld powers meeting in Geneva on 30 June announced a transition plan for Syria which could allow current Syrian regime leadersto join a new unity government, according to the Telegraph. UN Special Envoy Kofi Annan remarked that the new transitional gov-

ernment could include members of the present government and the opposition and other groups and shall be formed on the basis of

mutual consent. Both Russia and China reaffirmed their position that there could be no solution to the Syrian crisis imposed from

the outside, while NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen called the agreementby the world powers in Geneva a step in the right

direction, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP) .In an interview given shortly after the Geneva conference, President Assadindicated that he was willing to step aside though he preferred the relinquishing of powerthrough national elections, according to

McClatchy Newspapers. The most important thing is that everything should be decided inside Syria, not outside it, Assad said. The

Syrian president had not ruled out departing office through some means other than elections, such as the Annan plan, which calls for

a transitional government. Meanwhile, AFPreports that Russian leadership denied talks with US diplomats that discussed offering

exile to Syrias President Assad on 04 July. However, a Moscow daily had quoted a Russian diplomat as saying Western nations

were attempting to persuade Moscow to offer a home to Assad. Finally, Kofi Annan and President Assad announced on 09 July that

they had reached agreementon a new approach to end the civil strife in Syria that sought ways to implement the agreements made

by parties in Geneva, according to AFP, but the Syrian National Council (SNC) slammed Annans decision to meet with Assad and

reaffirmed earlier statements that the SNC saw no future role for Assad in a transitional unity government.

Al Jazeera reports that the United States and European partners threaten new sanctionsagainst Syrias government with talk of re-

turning to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to ask for a resolution that imposes real and immediate consequences for

non-compliance, including sanctions under Chapter 7. Allowable sanctions under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter range from econom-

ic measures to an arms embargo, with military intervention as a last resort. Meanwhile, at the most recent Friends of Syria meeting

in Paris, Syrian opposition groups continued to seek military action against President Assads regime. Russia and China declined to

attend the Paris meeting, while attendee US Secretary of State Clinton urged world powers to show Russia and China they would

pay a price for impeding progress towards a democratic transition in Syria. Finally, on 09 July Russian officials announced they

would not send any new military suppliesto Syria until the situation within the country stabilised, according to United Press Interna-

tional (UPI).

Attrition in the Syrian armed forces has escalated in recent weeks as violence continues in the country. On 03 July, Turkish media

reports that at least 85 Syrian soldiers, including a general and six officers, crossed the Turkish border requesting asylum, accordingto the Christian Science Monitor (CSM). The military defectors brought with them 300 civilians, presumably family members. Ac-

cording to Turkish officials, there are over 35,000 Syrian refugees seeking shelter in Turkey. Reuters reports that Manaf Tlas, a com-

mander in Assads Republican Guard and personal friendof the president, defected to the opposition. A source states that Tlas was

en route to Paris where the Friends of Syria group of states was due to meet. Tlas attended military college with Assad and is the

closest member of the Syrian leaders inner circle to defect. Additionally, Ghatan Sleiba, from the pro-Assad al Dunya television

channel, says he has been providing intelligence to the rebels for months and has now officially defectedto the opposition, according

to the Guardian. Sleiba shared that, while there were others who would also like to defect, there are more in the state-run news agen-

cies who love the regime from the depths of their hearts. In an interview with German television on 09 July, President Bashar al

Assad said that public support for his leadership meant he had no intention of leaving office, according to the New York Times

(NYT).

Syrian television aired footage of a number of missilesbeing fired from Syrian launchers on land and sea on 07 July, according to

the Telegraph. Syrian officials confirmed that naval forces conducted an operational live exercise on Saturday, using missileslaunched from the sea and coast, helicopters and missile boats, simulating a scenario of repelling a sudden attack from the sea.

SecurityViolence in Syria killed nearly 3,000 people in June, making it the bloodiest monthsince rebels took up arms against the countrys

government more than a year ago, according to McClatchy Newspapers. The increased death toll is largely a result of increased rebel

attacks and Syrian force responses with punishing artillery barrages against areas taken over by the rebels. Neither side in the con-

flict is abiding by an April cease-fire forwarded by the United Nations. Meanwhile on 27 June, the Syrian Observatory for Human

Rights claimed that the past seven days have been the bloodiest so far in the conflict, reporting 916 deaths. The UNs deputy envoy

for Syria, Jean-Marie Guehenno, told the UN Human Rights Council (UNCHR) that violence in Syria had reached or even sur-

passed levels before the ceasefire agreement, theAustralian Associated Press(AAP) reports.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9367330/Geneva-meeting-agrees-transition-plan-to-Syria-unity-government.htmlhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9367330/Geneva-meeting-agrees-transition-plan-to-Syria-unity-government.htmlhttp://www.brecorder.com/world/middle-east/65864-nato-chief-warns-syria-to-avoid-escalation-with-turkey-.htmlhttp://www.brecorder.com/world/middle-east/65864-nato-chief-warns-syria-to-avoid-escalation-with-turkey-.htmlhttp://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/07/04/155034/facing-diplomatic-isolation-syrias.htmlhttp://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/07/04/155034/facing-diplomatic-isolation-syrias.htmlhttp://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/07/04/russia-denies-offering-asylum-to-syrian-president/http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/07/04/russia-denies-offering-asylum-to-syrian-president/http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/07/04/russia-denies-offering-asylum-to-syrian-president/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1212586/1/.htmlhttp://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1212586/1/.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/07/20127671453799657.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/07/20127671453799657.htmlhttp://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2012/07/09/Russia-halts-military-sales-to-Syria/UPI-80491341845657/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2012/07/09/Russia-halts-military-sales-to-Syria/UPI-80491341845657/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0702/Syria-Largest-single-day-exodus-Turkish-media-reporthttp://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0702/Syria-Largest-single-day-exodus-Turkish-media-reporthttp://www.stuff.co.nz/world/middle-east/7233398/http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/middle-east/7233398/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/02/syrian-regime-tv-reporter-defectshttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/02/syrian-regime-tv-reporter-defectshttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/10/world/middleeast/bashar-al-assad-meets-with-kofi-annan.html?_r=1http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/10/world/middleeast/bashar-al-assad-meets-with-kofi-annan.html?_r=1http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9384871/Syria-tests-its-missiles.htmlhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9384871/Syria-tests-its-missiles.htmlhttp://www.adn.com/2012/07/05/2532413/june-was-bloodiest-month-of-syrian.htmlhttp://www.adn.com/2012/07/05/2532413/june-was-bloodiest-month-of-syrian.htmlhttp://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1663414/Assad-says-Syria-in-a-state-of-warhttp://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1663414/Assad-says-Syria-in-a-state-of-warhttp://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1663414/Assad-says-Syria-in-a-state-of-warhttp://www.adn.com/2012/07/05/2532413/june-was-bloodiest-month-of-syrian.htmlhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9384871/Syria-tests-its-missiles.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/10/world/middleeast/bashar-al-assad-meets-with-kofi-annan.html?_r=1http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/02/syrian-regime-tv-reporter-defectshttp://www.stuff.co.nz/world/middle-east/7233398/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0702/Syria-Largest-single-day-exodus-Turkish-media-reporthttp://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2012/07/09/Russia-halts-military-sales-to-Syria/UPI-80491341845657/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/07/20127671453799657.htmlhttp://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1212586/1/.htmlhttp://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/07/04/russia-denies-offering-asylum-to-syrian-president/http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/07/04/russia-denies-offering-asylum-to-syrian-president/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/07/04/155034/facing-diplomatic-isolation-syrias.htmlhttp://www.brecorder.com/world/middle-east/65864-nato-chief-warns-syria-to-avoid-escalation-with-turkey-.htmlhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9367330/Geneva-meeting-agrees-transition-plan-to-Syria-unity-government.htmlmailto:[email protected]


9/10

In three separate instances on 02 July, Turkish authorities launched six F -16 fighter jetsin response to Syrian military helicopters

approaching the shared Turkey-Syria border, according to Reuters. Syrian helicopters were reportedly came as close as two miles

from the border when fighter jets were scrambled. Turkey has increased its troop presence and air defences along the border after

Syria shot down an unarmed Turkish jet in June 2012. NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen cautioned Syria against any new inci-

dentswith Turkey,AFPreports.

The Daily Starreports that Hezbollah fightersare on the ground in Syria, according to Riad al Asaad, the commander of the rebel

Free Syrian Army (FSA). Asaad indicated he was not surprised to see that Hezbollahs rhetorical support for the Syrian regime has

been translated to support on the battefield especially in Talkalkh and Homs. FSA soldiers have seen heavily armed [Hezbollah]

convoys and several buses.

APreports that gunmen attacked a pro-government television station, killing seven employees, on 27 June. NYTreports that 28 June

was the deadliest dayin 2012 with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirming 125 civilian fatalities while the Local Co-

ordination Committee in Syria reported 139 civilian deaths. Douma continued to be the focus of government military operations;

however, Homs reported 25 deaths, Deir al Zour with 13, Dara with 12 and Hama with 10 deaths. At least 83 people, the majority

civilians, were killed on 30 June in violencethroughout the country, according to AFP. Meanwhile, the Frontier Post reported 11

additional deaths on 01 July mostly occurring in Douma.Reuters reports on 02 July that fighting had come to the gates of the capi-

tal in recent weeks and continued to rage as the conflict increasingly took on the character of an all -out civil war, fuelled by sectari-

an hatred. On 05 July, a video taken in the city of Douma by opponents of the Syrian government showed gruesome scenes in

homes they said had been overrun by pro-government Shabiha paramilitary gangs, after Syrian army shelling forced rebel fighters

to retreat. However, the state news agency SANA, reporting on a ministerial tour of Douma, painted a totally different picture that

made no mention of killing or death. On 06 July, Syrian forces took control of the rebel stronghold of Khan Sheikhoun located in

northern Idlib province while using attack helicoptersin the operation, Reuters reports. Meanwhile, the unrest in Syria spilled over

to Lebanononce again where two people were killed on 07 July, according to Los Angeles Times. Syrias Aleppo province experi-

enced a string of government-force bombardments as the Syrian military attempted to regain controlof the region, according to

AFP. Reports of heavy government shelling at Ariha in northern Idlib province where rebels and government forces have been vy-

ing for controlcontinued on 09 July, reportsNYT.AFPstated that 33 people were killedin fighting throughout Syria on 09 July.

Humanitarian AffairsThe Syrian government and opposition are carrying out serious human rights violationsincluding attacks on hospitals, UN human

rights chief Navi Pillay said on 03 July after briefing the UN Security Council (UNSC). Pillay renewed her appeal to the UNSC to

refer the Syrian conflict to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Also, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and

the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) expressed their growing concernover the suffering experienced by the civilian population of

Homs as aid was still not reaching targeted populations when the organisations were prevented from entering the citys worst-hit

areas on 27 June. According to ICRC reports on 01 July, in conjunction with the SARC, the organisations evacuated26 civilians

from Douma. Additionally, the ICRC was able to conduct an assessment of humanitarian needs when they returned to Douma on 03

July to provide a one month supply of food rations to almost 600 people in the city.

On 07 July,Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) reported that Russia is against the establishment of a humanitarian no fly zonein Syria

because the country considers it to be counter-productive and a unilateral step. Instead, Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Gat-

ilov urged all parties to actively implement the declaration adopted at the Geneva meeting late in June 2012.

Page 9

10 July 2012

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