Regime forces step up attacks on Waer neighborhood

(Zaman Al Wasl)- The Syrian regime military campaign backed by allied sectarian militias, has entered its fourth days on the neighborhood of al-Waer in Homs, as well as northern towns of the city like Talbisa and Holeh have been targeted by more than 10 air strikes, resulted in many injuries among civilians. 

Zaman al-Wasl correspondent  reported  that Sharea body in al-Waer an Northern countryside of Homs have ceased Friday's prayer due to regime escalation of air strikes against civilians and requested people to stay inside houses and reinforced places. 

Zaman al-Wasl’s correspondent mentioned that the operation room of al-Waer and Northern countryside of Homs have shelled regime-supporting areas in Homs with many Grad rockets. 

During the last four days of regime’s military campaign against al-Waer neighbourhood, which is considered the most violent since weeks, 215 shells and missiles including 36 Fil missile, 100 mortar shells, 56 artillery size 60, 20 tank shells, resulted in killing 10 civilians including children and women, 67 were injured many of them in critical condition and amputations. 

In regard to buildings’ destruction, since the beginning of the siege three years ago, 40% of al-Waer were completely destroyed, while 30%  of them were slightly destroyed and  16% have minor damages and still inhabitable.  

 

An agreement between the regime and rebels was signed by the local reconciliation committee and government officials, to end the siege on the area and stop bombardments in return for the withdrawal of rebel groups.

Al-Waer has been the only neighbourhood under rebel control in the city of Homs after the regime recaptured the city in 2014. Since then, neighbourhood has been under fighting, artillery shelling and air strikes.

An estimated 75,000 people still live in al-Waer, out of 300,000 before the start of the Syrian revolution in 2011.

A UN-backed agreement initiated last year to evacuate hundreds of residents from the neighbourhood but the deal was not fulfilled as regime refused to release detainees.