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Syria Political Round-Up: Deputy PM Jamil Dismissed After Talks with US

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SUMMARY: Despite intense regime bombardment of the al-Wa’er neighborhood of Homs city on Tuesday, the Shaam News Network reports that the Free Syrian Army has forced regime units to withdraw from the 7th division area of the 7th division quarter in the district.

Activists and citizen journalists in Homs reported Tuesday that regime forces were targeting civilian buildings in the district, packed with displaced persons from other parts of the city.

A Facebook page run by activists in al-Wa’er said that Free Syrian Army fighters had gained control over apartment blocks that the regime had attempted to occupy during Tuesday.

Regime shelling of apartment blocks:

Homes burning during the shelling:

There were also reports that regime snipers were targeting residents, and that the Syrian military prevented civilians from fleeing the district during the shelling.

Activists and citizen journalists reported at least 8 civilians, including a 6-year-old child, were killed and more than 50 people were wounded, some seriously. (Warning – link contains images of dead children.)

(Photo: Aftermath of a surface-surface missile strike on al-Wa’er.)

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Video: Wounded Man Shot by Regime Sniper in Aleppo (Warning: Graphic)

Evacuation of Civilians from Besieged Moadamiyyat Ash Sham: “More than 100 Men Detained, Forced to Serve in Syrian Army”

Qusai Zakarya, the manager of Radio Free Syria manager, has sent a public message about Tuesday’s evacuation of civilians from Moadamiyyat Ash Sham, near Damascus:

Over 100 men were detained yesterday during the evacuation. Today news has come out that these men are being forces into serving in the Syrian army and to join Assad’s [militia], commonly called shabiha.

Certainly, these men would prefer death over such a fate. It’s also important to remember that during the first evacuation a few weeks ago, Assad forces detained several children and some still remain in custody, their fates unknown to their families.

1st-Hand: Tuesday’s Evacuation of Civilians from Besieged Moadamiyyat Ash Sham

The BBC’s Lyse Doucet posts a series of tweets on Tuesday’s evacuation of civilians from Moadamiyyat Ash Sham, near Damascus, amid an 11-month siege by regime forces — note that her initial report of all civilians being allowed to leave is questioned in a message hours later:

See Syria Military Round-Up, Oct 29: Civilians Evacuated From Moadamiyyat Ash Sham As Council Urges Their Protection

And Doucet also confirms that Sister Agnes Mariam, the nun known for her ardently pro-regime declaration, was present — the BBC is broadcasting an interview with her this morning: