Despite air strikes, anti-Assad peaceful demonstrations continue in Aleppo

04-05-2014 – ARA News – Aleppo, Syria− Dozens of anti-Assad demonstrators took to the street in Aleppo on Friday to condemn the ongoing bombing of the city by the Syrian air force and the killing of thousands of civilians.

The pro-Assad security forces arrested the majority of the demonstrators after surrounding them in the neighbourhood of Halab Jideede (New Aleppo), local sources reported. Imad Hussein, media activist based in Aleppo city, told ARA News that the arrest campaign continued on Saturday. “Even those who didn’t participate in Friday’s demonstration have been captured by the pro-Assad security forces after breaking in the houses in Hala Jideede,” Hussein said. “Among the arrested were elderly.” Meanwhile, clashes broke out between the pro-regime forces on the one hand, and fighters from the Joint Chamber of Ahl al-Sham with other Islamic Brigades on the other hand on Saturday morning, near the industrial city in the village of Sheikh Najjar in Aleppo countryside.

Ismail Aziz, human rights activist based in the city of Aleppo, told ARA News that the clashes erupted after an attempt by the regime forces to advance toward the areas controlled by opposition forces, two days ago.

 “Five members of the regime forces were killed as clashes extended to the area of ​​the Sheikh Yusuf hill and the industrial city, amid bombing by the tanks (stationed at the Sheikh Yusuf hill) on the industrial city,” said Aziz. “This coincided with air strikes by the pro-regime helicopters which dropped two explosive barrels on the area, without recording any casualties.” This comes as the pro-regime helicopters bombed Mare’ City in the northern countryside of Aleppo with explosive barrels. The attack resulted in the death of one civilian and wounding dozens others, who were taken to a field hospital in the city. Reporting by: Haya al-Abdullah – Source: ARA News