The Syrian National Coalition (SNC) and activists have accused pro-Assad forces of using civilians — including women, children and older people — as human shields in an attempt to invade the strategic opposition-controlled town of Moadamiyyat Ash Sham on Wednesday.
Video: Claimed footage of civilians in Moadamiyyat Ash Sham being escorted by Free Syrian Army fighters on Wednesday
On Wednesday, activists reported that regime forces had attempted to invade the town using the civilians as a shield.
The town — the target of one of the August 21 chemical weapons attacks — has been under a regime-imposed siege since November 2012, and aid agencies report that Assad’s forces have refused to allow them to enter the town to deliver emergency food and medical aid. The Syrian Red Crescent told EA that its workers have been turned away from Moadamiyyat Ash Sham by regime forces seven times.
On Sunday and Monday, the regime has allowed the evacuation of civilians from Moadamiyyat Ash Sham, but continued regime shelling prevented further evacuations. The Syrian National Coalition claims that regime forces used women, children and elderly civilians who were promised evacuation as human shields on Wednesday.
According to the Coalition, the civilians, “attempted to leave the besieged area after the Assad regime promised safe evacuation. However, Assad forces showed up and shot at them before they could evacuate safely. Three died and dozens were injured. Assad’s forces also took a number of women and children hostage and later used them as human shields to launch an offensive on the area.”
Reports from the Syrian Red Crescent corroborate activist reports that civilians in Moadamiyyat Ash Sham had believed they would be evacuated on Wednesday, and that regime forces were in the area. The SRC said that it went to Moadamiyyat Ash Sham on Wednesday to evacuate civilians but regime shelling forced it to pull out:
3/3 today, while waiting 4 plp 2 come shells started 2 fall & forced us 2 pull out! No body went out and no one reached the gathering point!
— Syrian Red Crescent (@SYRedCrescent) October 16, 2013
Footage posted by activists shows insurgents from the Free Syrian Army escorting civilians on what appears to be the edge of the town. In one video, insurgents have to pick up and carry an elderly woman, who cannot walk fast enough and who appears to be frightened.
The Coalition called on the United Nations and the Arab League to intervene to assist civilians in West Ghouta.
“Humanitarian corridors are urgently needed to save the lives of men, women and children in Muadamiyah, which has been under siege by Assad’s forces for more than 330 days,” the Coalition said in a statement on Thursday.
Photo: Civilians On October 15 wait for Syrian Red Crescent to evacute them. Activists say that regime forces began shooting at the civilians, injuring 40 people. Credit: Shaam News Network (http://www.image-talk.shaam.org/)
See Also:Syria Spotlight: Moadamiyyat Ash Sham Civilians Concerned For Welfare Of Evacuees
