Assad’s Forces Kidnap over 60 Civilians in Kawkab, Rural Hama

Press Statement

Syrian Coalition

Istanbul, Turkey

November 17, 2013

Assad’s forces entered the village of Kawkab in rural Hama yesterday, pillaged the village and kidnapped more than 60 civilians including women and children, activists in the area reported. Militias from the villages of Ma’an, Zughba, Mubattan, and Tulayssiah backed Assad’s forces in the offensive. Over 8 civilians died; 7 of whom belong to one family.

The fate of the missing remains unknown. Residents in the village are extremely concerned over the safety of their kidnapped relatives. Last Friday, Assad’s forces killed around 27 civilians, mostly women and children from one family, in the town of Wadi al-Mawla, rural Homs.

There is no doubt the Assad regime and its allies want to divert attention away from efforts aimed to hold a peace conference that would take power from the regime and hand it over to a transitional governing body which represents the Syrian people.

We ask for Mercy for our martyrs, health for our wounded, and freedom for our detainees.

Long live Syria and its people, free and with honor.