Syrian Military Airstrikes Kill Almost 100
The Syrian regime once again launched air raids that killed at least 82 people and wounded more than 200 in a suburban market in the Syrian capital in Damascus.
Syrian Military air raids are not something new in Syria. The regime allegedly conducted air raids in rebel-held areas and Damascus is not an exeption. The air raids have killed thousands since the start of turmoil in Syria.
According to media reports, the Syrian government air raids took place during peak hour when Syrians were out doing their routine shopping.
Human rights groups asserted that the air raids were a form of massacre. Four missiles allegedly were fired on the market, resulting in massive casualties.
US Condemns the Market Bombing in Douma
The deadly airstrikes in Douma drew condemnation. For one, the United States expressed strong condemnation of the attack.
In a press statement in Washington DC, Department Spokesperson John Kirby said the Assad regime’s brutal attacks on Syria’s cities have killed thousands of people and destroyed schools, mosques, markets, and hospitals.
“Yesterday’s airstrikes, following its other recent market bombings and attacks on medical facilities, demonstrate the regime’s disregard for human life.” – Mr. Kirby
Mr. Kirby highlighted that Assad has no legitimacy to lead the Syrian people.
He added that the United States is working with its partners toward a genuine, negotiated political transition away from Assad, that brings an end to such attacks and leads to a future that fulfills Syrians’ aspirations for freedom and dignity.
US Aid To Syria
In November 2012, the United States of America provided $30 million in additional humanitarian assistance to respond to the needs of Syrian people affected by the turmoil.
In Syria, the additional funding will allow for provision of food aid to families in need.
In neighboring countries, the additional assistance from the United States will provide food supplies, hot meals, and food vouchers for families who have fled the violence in Syria.
In addition, the additional assistance will be provided through the World Food Program (WFP), which is providing food aid to 1.5 million people in Syria and the refugees who have fled to neighboring countries.
The United States is the largest donor of food aid for those affected by the conflict in Syria through WFP.
In August 2012, with the violence engulfing Syria, the United States of America has announced an additional $12 million in humanitarian assistance, bringing the total amount of U.S. emergency aid to more than $76 million.
The U.S. government continues to place on ending the escalating violence which has uprooted hundreds of thousands of Syrians.
The humanitarian needs continue to grow whre the number of Syrians displaced to neighboring countries now exceeds 130,000, with nearly 1.5 million in need inside Syria, including UN-estimated one million internally displaced persons.
The Syrian violence has led a crisis on a humanitarian scale that is of the highest priority within the U.S. government, and for which the US pledges to continue to provide support.
In April 2012, with the deteriorating situation in Syria due to turmoil, the United States of America has bolstered efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by the conflict in the country.
The UN estimates that there are over 2 million Syrians inside Syria in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Of that number, it’s an estimated 300,000 internally displaced.
United States has dedicated some $33 million to support the important work to assist and protect those in need in Syria and neighboring countries, and much more is on the way.
The violence in Syria, which began in March 2011 as a protest movement similar to those witnessed across the Middle East and North Africa, has claimed over 250, 000 lives, mostly civilians, and displaced tens of thousand.
