Rebels Retake Control of Maaloula.
The ancient Christian town of Maaloula, near Damascus, is again under rebel control.
France 24 reports that “the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and a local resident said on Monday that rebels were steadily seizing swathes of the town which they have occupied on previous occasions as fighting has ebbed and flowed in the rugged Qalamoun region near Damascus.
“The resident said hardline Islamic brigades first began attacking Syrian forces in the town three days ago. He said Maaloula residents fled to Damascus, fearing rebels would punish them for supporting the government of Bashar al-Assad and because they are Christians.”
Lebanese Villagers Set Syrian Refugee Tents Alight.
The AFP has more news about Syrian refugees in the Bekaa Valley, reporting that Lebanese villagers – frustrated with the flood of Syrians into what is an already poor area – “forced hundreds of Syrian refugees from an informal campsite, torching tents after accusing them of raping a mentally-disabled man.”
A doctor who examined the man said there was no evidence he was attacked, according to the report.
AFP writes that the “the incident comes amid warnings from the Lebanese government and aid agencies about tensions between Lebanese communities and the more than 800,000 Syrian refugees who have fled to the small country.”
Syrian Refugees Turn to Europe – and Human Smugglers.
VICE Media’s Mat Nashed has a piece about Syrian refugees turning to Europe for asylum, as opposed to seeking safety in a neighboring country.
“But European countries have been slow to implement a resettlement strategy, which has awarded smugglers mightily, say activists and NGOs,” Nashed writes. The E.U. has discussed providing humanitarian visas or removing visa restrictions for Syrians fleeing the war, but neither proposal has gained political traction, according to Dr. George Joseph of Caritas, Sweden.
“If the E.U. doesn’t want to award international smuggling, and have people losing their lives in the process, then there has to be legal ways not to criminalize those fleeing to Europe,” Joseph told the reporter.
Suggested Reads from Our Editorial Team:
Today’s Zaman: Syria Death Toll Hits Nearly 126,000
AFP: US Prepares Ship to Destroy Syria’s Chemical Weapons
Reuters: Syria Fighting Complicates Efforts to Ship Out Chemical Weapons
Reuters: Suicide Bomb at Damascus Office Kills Four
NPR: As Polio Spreads In Syria, Politics Thwarts Vaccination Efforts
McClatchy: How al Qaida’s rise drove a Syrian revolutionary to choose exile
Politico: Time is Short to Aid Syria’s Civilians