Summary of events in Hama, on 30 Oct 2011

• Date: Oct 31 2011 Time: 17:21
• Description:
  Summary of events in Hama, on 30 Oct 2011 Since the early hours, there was intensive gunfire in Kafr Zita [Rural Hama]. Then after noon prayers 1,000s of Kafr Nabouda [another town in Hama’s rural] took part in the funeral procession of Mahmoud Qamiro, who was killed by the regime’s gangs. Unprecedented heavy presence of security forces in the city of Hama; security forces set up more checkpoints-barricades and all cars were subjected to extensive inspections. Students’ demonstrations and regime forces’ response: A quick students’ demonstration was held in Al-Karama neighborhood, the demonstration called for the execution of the president and chanted in solidarity with wounded Homs. In Al-Qusour neighborhood, after school, students from Samir Sawwaf middle school held a demonstration, and security forces arrested one of the children-students. Demonstrations also issued from the schools of Khalid Samak and Haitham Asaya, security forces faced these demonstrations with teargas causing asphyxia cases between the children-students. Since the early hours, security forces conducted a savage campaign on the schools in the neighborhood of Gharb Al-Mashtal, terrorizing school children, insulting, harassing and bullying them. Security forces also used profanities and insults against all of the neighborhood’s residents because of the pro-revolution phrases written on the walls, residents were forced to cover the writings, note that all the phrases were signed by the “Spray man” [Young men wearing masks and writing on the walls pro-revolution phrases, they are called “Spray men”; it is a phenomenon in the revolution taking place all over Syria, these young men could face torture and death if they are caught by the regime]. In Al-Baiad neighborhood, students’ demonstrations issued from the schools of Ibn Khaldoun and Tashrin. Some students from the school of Uthman Al-Hourani in the neighborhood of Aleppo-road distributed leaflet calling for civil disobedience for a week starting same day, 30 Oct. Large demonstrations took place in rural Hama in the towns of Taibat Al-Imam, Morak, Khattab, and Halfaya. In Suran, students of Rakan Salem high school held a set-in under the banner of “Set-ins till the regime falls”, during the set-in, security agents raided the students and arrested 3 of them, angering the rest of the students who then went immediately in a tour for all of the schools and tore down the pictures of the tyrant [meaning Bashar Al-Assad] from principles’ offices. The rebel heroes of Suran sent the following message to security forces: If the detained students are not released within the hour, we will respond in action and not in words. Security forces were forced, under pressure, to release the students. Regime forces violence and people’s position: The army and Shabiha (regime-sponsored gangs) stormed the countryside of Hama; a huge military campaign of more than 30 vehicles full of security and Shabiha elements stormed the villages of Khunaizir [Khnezir] and Al-Jelma [Jalama]. And in Al-Sqilbiya, security, Shabiha (regime-sponsored gangs), and army forces with around 30 vehicles stormed the city of Al-Sqilbiya along with a raid campaign. Hayalin village was stormed by the army, security forces, and Shabiha (regime-sponsored gangs) who entered the village firing at passers-by, injuring a truck driver who was transporting government-sponsored feed to Sahl Al-Ghab. In Khattab town, the detainee Shadi Al-Hasan, was delivered dead to his family, when he was arrested, 3 days earlier, he was in good health. A general strike took place everywhere in Kernaz town in mourning of martyrs. 2:00 PM: 4 armored vehicles at Al-Dhaheriya checkpoint-barricade; the vehicles faced the 4 directions and were hid by sand barricades. 6:30 PM: Large numbers of Shabiha arrived on green buses [Shabiha buses] at Al-Assad medical plaza. During the evening, many demonstrations were held in the neighborhoods of Al-Jarajmeh, Al-Sharqiya, Al-Hamidiya, Al-Qusour, and Aleppo-road. Despite the threats by regime forces, a large demonstration was held in Kafr Zita, condemning, in resentment, the Arab League, and chanting in solidarity with Homs; saying that “We are with you till death.” Demonstrations were also held in Taibat Al-Imam, Morak, and Al-Twina. 9:30: A raid campaign along with a number of home break-ins at the backstreet of Al-Thalathin (30) Street, with the presence of an armored vehicle, and elements of security and Shabiha (regime-sponsored gangs). 9:45 PM: Heavy gunfire in Al-Karama neighborhood. 2 army tanks were observed at Al-Dhaheriya Bridge, with a number of troop carriers and armored vehicles. Security forces were deployed close by Al-Noor mosque in Al-Alelayat neighboehood- near Al-Sabouniya neighborhood, the sound of one bullet was heard.