Updates on the battle in al-Qusayr
The SAA offensive against al-Qusayr has escalated today. I will try to update this post with any news and footage from the situation.
The town is surrounded and government forces are storming it from all directions with support from airstrikes and artillery.
Context: The Syrian government has deemed al-Qusayr and the surrounding region as strategically important in their attempts to disrupt the rebels' operations. It's also strategically crucial for their goal of creating a security corridor that connects Damascus in the south with the north-western Mediterranean coastal area.
Map: One analysis of the frontlines
Morning
News: Syria army launches assault on rebel-held Qusayr: NGO
Video: Shelling of the city
Video: Airstrike
Video: Airstrike
Video: Dead and injured
News: Activists reported more than a dozen airstrikes since midnight
Afternoon
News: Dozens of army tanks enter al-Qusayr: activists (Al Arabiya)
News: Six rockets fired from Syria caused injuries when they hit inside the Lebanese city of Hermel
News: FSA Supreme Command asking battalions in other areas of Syria to escalate attacks in their areas to alleviate attacks on Qusayr (activists)
News: Syrian opposition activists said government air strikes and heavy shelling had killed at least 16 people in the town so far (BBC)
Video: Heavy shelling of the city outskirts
News: Syrian state TV: Troops enter central al-Qusayr
News: Activists dispute reports that troops have entered the city
News: Military source claims the army controls the city's main square, including the municipality building
Video: Airstrike
Video: Arabic news report from the city's edge
News: Rebels say 32 people have been killed, apparently mostly fighters (BBC) (thanks annoymind)
Video: UNCONFIRMED:Syrian forces inside al-Qusayr and arresting many rebels (Seems al-Qusayr has fallen) This video was published yesterday so can't be from today's battle unless I'm mistaken
News: Reports that gunfire has erupted between Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods in Tripoli, Lebanon
News: Conflicting reports that control of al-Qusayr is still contested and that rebels have repelled attacks
Video: Al Jazeera English news report on the situation
Video: RTarabic news report claiming the army has entered al-Qusayr
News: Clashes in Tripoli, Lebanon started in Bab al-Tabbaneh over reports that 12 of Sheikh Salem al-Rafehi's supporters were killed while fighting alongside the Syrian opposition in Qusayr. The army deployed heavily in the street which separates Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh, amid low-intensity clashes (MTV)
Video: AA guns and airstrike aftermath from inside the town
Evening
News: While state TV claims that troops have captured key buildings in the town's center, rebels are strongly denying such claims (BBC)
News: Rebels say 50 people have been killed, state TV says 70 (BBC)
Video: Activist inside the town showing that troops haven't taken over the municipal building as claimed
Video: FSA burying 3 fighters while SAA attack continues in background (thanks uptodatepronto)
News: The Lebanese army urged politicians to ask the parties in Tripoli to practice restraint because it will not be lenient with any deployment of gunmen (LBCI)
Video: Lebanese army intervening in Tripoli earlier today (One dead and fifteen wounded)
Video: Syrian TV news report with mixed footage
News: Syrian state news claims the army has restored security and stability to most of the town (SANA)
Video: Propaganda video showing large army convoy preparing to enter the town
Video: Subtitled Arabic news report with an update of today's events, claims the army has control of most of the town
Video: Footage from inside the town during the assault
End of updates for today.
Posted May 19, 2013, 8:51 AM UTC · edited