Summary of events in Hama, on 30 Oct 2011

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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.