The bodies of dozens of young men, all apparently summarily executed,
have been found in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo.
At least 65 bodies were
found on the banks of Quaik River, which runs seasonally in the western
district of Bustan al-Qasr, activists on the ground and the UK-based Syrian
Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported.
Most had their hands
tied behind their backs and gunshot wounds to the head.
Activists posted video
footage of the gruesome discovery on YouTube.
It showed a large
number of bodies strewn in and around the banks of the Quaik, which skirts the
western side of Aleppo.
BBC News said the
bodies, which were caked in grey mud, showed signs of rigor mortis. There were
also signs of blood having poured from many of the heads.
“Rigor mortis, a
stiffening of the limbs of a corpse, begins around three hours after death,
peaks at around 12 hours and is completely dissipated some two days later.”
A captain in the rebel
Free Syrian Army said some of those who had been killed were just teenagers.
He told AFP news agency
that many bodies were still in the water and the death toll might rise to 100.
People were gathering
at the bank to see if they could find their missing relatives, AFP reported.
The district of Bustan
al-Qasr has been hotly contested since fighting broke out in Aleppo last July,
the BBC's Jim Muir reports from Beirut.
Since July, the city
has been more or less divided equally between government and rebel forces, with
neither side apparently able to push the other out, despite constant clashes, Muir
adds.
Obama: “Assad regime
WILL come to an end”
In the hours of the
discovery, the White House released a new video
from U.S. President Barack Obama announcing he has approved an additional $155
million in aid to the Syrian people, assuring them, “The Assad regime WILL come
to an end.”
His full statement
on video:
“For
nearly two years, the Assad regime has waged a brutal war against the Syrian
people—murdering innocent men, women and children, in their homes, in bread
lines, and at universities.
“In
the face of this barbarism, the United States has joined with nations around
the world in calling for an end to the Assad regime and a transition that leads
to a peaceful, inclusive and democratic Syria, where the rights of all Syrians
are protected. We’ve worked to isolate Assad and his regime; impose
sanctions that starve the regime of funds; recognize the Syrian Opposition
Coalition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people; call for
accountability for perpetrators of atrocities; and provide humanitarian relief
to Syrians in need.
“The
relief we send doesn’t say “Made in America,” but make no mistake—our aid
reflects the commitment of the American people. American aid means food
and clean water for millions of Syrians. American aid means medicine and
treatment for hundreds of thousands of patients in Damascus, Dar’a and
Homs. It means immunizations for one million Syrian children.
American aid means winter supplies for more than half a million people in
Aleppo, Homs and Dayr az Zawr. And we’re working with allies and partners
so that this aid reaches those in need.
“Today,
we’re taking another step. I’ve approved an additional $155 million in
humanitarian aid for people in Syria and refugees fleeing the violence.
Here, I want to speak directly to the people of Syria. This new aid will mean
more warm clothing for children and medicine for the elderly; flour and wheat
for your families and blankets, boots and stoves for those huddled in damaged
buildings. It will mean health care for victims of sexual violence and
field hospitals for the wounded. Even as we work to end the
violence against you, this aid will help address some of the immediate needs
you face each day.
“This
new commitment will bring America’s total humanitarian aid to Syria to $365
million—making us the largest single donor of humanitarian assistance to the
Syrian people. Today, I also call on the international community to do
more to help these Syrians in need, and to contribute to the latest UN
humanitarian appeal.
“We’re
under no illusions. The days ahead will continue to be very
difficult. But what’s clear is that the regime continues to weaken and
lose control of territory. The opposition continues to grow
stronger. More Syrians are standing up for their dignity. The Assad
regime will come to an end. The Syrian people will have their chance to
forge their own future. And they will continue to find a partner in the
United States of America.”
Read the
President's message in Arabic (pdf).
You can also watch the video
with Arabic subtitles.
