Syria: more than 19,000 dead in 16 months

Tens of thousands of Syrians have fled the country, while the forces of the regime of Bashar al-Assad stormed the rebel districts of the capital

Syrian soldiers, backed by tanks and helicopters, gave battle to the rebels to resume Sunday neighborhoods of Damascus and Aleppo, the second city of Syria Syrian Army whose freedom has announced the start of the battle of "liberation" . At least 24 people were killed in the violence Sunday, including 9 in Damascus, according to a report of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH) has announced that over 19,000 people were killed in 16 months revolt. The situation on the borders of Syria, whose entry points are played between the Syrian army and rebel groups, causes concern in neighboring countries, like Israel's concern that Syrian chemical weapons fall the hands of the Shiite party Hezbollah or Jordan who wants to prevent "any kind of infiltration" into its territory. Turkey, which hosts tens of thousands of refugees, has strengthened its along the border by deploying batteries of surface to air missiles in Mardin (southeast). Turkish police have also cracked down on tear gas and batons Syrian protesters who were throwing stones to protest against their living conditions in the refugee camp. At present, the rebels control a vital border crossing with Iraq, and three with Turkey. On the diplomatic front, the capital of Qatar is to host a ministerial meeting in the evening of the Arab committee on monitoring the conflict in Syria, the regime of President Bashar al-Assad is increasingly fragile after heavy fighting in Damascus and the death Last week four of his closest associates. In the Syrian capital, where the regime has thrown its elite units in the battle as the militants, the army launched an offensive against the neighborhoods Barzé (northeast), Roukneddine (north) and Mazze, (West) . The authorities also announced that the army had "cleaned" the area of ​​Qaboune (is) and that many "terrorists" had been killed. According to the OSDH, hundreds of soldiers are deployed in the area of ​​Mazze and launched raids in the middle of gunfire. Regular forces, backed by tanks and helicopters, have also gained a foothold in Barzé, according to OSDH reported that the withdrawal of rebel fighters and a massive exodus of people.According to an activist who identify themselves by the name Abu Omar, joined via Skype by AFP, the army is also fighting in the district of Roukneddine, intensive and Kurdish authorities have launched leaflets calling on residents to evacuate. Public television has denied that the districts of Damascus be bombed by helicopters. In the center of the capital, security officials have stepped up their presence, inspecting cars and checking identities, according to residents.

"The Battle for the Liberation of Aleppo"

The rebels have been fighting for nearly a week for the "liberation" of Damascus, but the army responded Friday by a cons-offensive which allowed him to regain the particular district Midane. Sunday, ASL has called for "liberation" of Aleppo and it is committed to protecting minorities, including Christians and Alawites. In a video posted on YouTube, Colonel Abdel Jabbar al-Okaidi, commander of the military council of the ASL for the province of Aleppo (north), said he had "ordered all the elements of ASL walking on Aleppo from all directions to release it. " In an attempt to show the stability of power, Prime Minister Riad Hijab said in parliament that the "priority" of his government was formed on June 23 the preservation of security. And four days after the attack that killed four of the main leaders of the repressive apparatus, Assad received General Ali Ayoub, the new chief of staff of the army. This replaces Fahd al-Freij, named defense minister after the death in the attack of General Daoud Rajha. The Syrian authorities have also accused Western intelligence agencies to seek, with the help of "Arab parties" to hack its television channels to disseminate false news as a coup or the fall of the regime.

Paris calls the opposition to form a transitional government

France has called for "the rapid formation of a provisional government that reflects the diversity of Syrian society." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Laurent Fabius called the opposition "to get in running order"."Whatever its maneuvers, the regime of Bashar al-Assad is condemned by his own people, who shows great courage. It is time to prepare the transition and the next day, "says Fabius in his statement. The minister said he had "taken a number of contacts, including the secretary general of the Arab League and with the Prime Minister of Qatar." "We all agree that the time has come for Opposition to put in working order to take control of the country, "he says. "We want the rapid formation of an interim government that will be representative of the diversity of Syrian society. France fully supports the efforts of the Arab League in this direction, "he adds. France is ready "for any initiative, including the holding of a meeting in Paris Ministerial-to consolidate the efforts of Arab countries in building the future of Syria." "We will look, moreover, to make, with the European Union, aid and support to refugees more and more, in connection with neighboring countries," says the minister will address this issue on Monday in Brussels , with its European partners.