On Saturday, the 7th of May 2011, huge numbers of Security Forces and Shabeeha, protected by about 30000 army members, broke into Banias City and the surrounding areas claiming the existence of armed people. Hundreds were detained by this claim; and houses and stores were plundered and destroyed while searching for the weapons claimed to be there. As a result, Four women from Al-Marqab Village, and two young men from Banias City martyred (as they protested and gathered before the Security and Army Forces).The city is laying since that day under a crippling blockade. Large numbers of security forces are posted at each junction of the city and at the head of every street, in addition to a heavy presence of moving patrols in neighborhoods. Citizens, afraid of this heavy presence, are staying home and only go out for absolute necessities, especially after sunset, after which we barely notice anyone in the streets. If they justify it by the presence of armed groups in Banyas, why are they still present while most young people in Banyas have already been arrested and while they claim that those groups were arrested.Today, detentions continue in a semi- daily manner. Moreover, Security members and Shabeeha on the checkpoints provoke people, show no respect for house and subject even women to verbal abuse. Today, Omar Shyouni (Adda’abal) was detained on a checkpoint as he was coming back from his work in Tartus. Additionally, Adel Jbarah (a bakery owner) was detained on a check point in front of Abo Baker Mosque for the second time as he was detained for the first time with Omar Azzaghrini and Khaled Imam. Our recourses say that there are 100 new people wanted by the security, what comes in line with our expectations of this lying reform- claiming regime.
on behalf of Banias Local Coordiantion Committee, we, therefore, call for evacuating the city of these members, and lifting this suppressing siege under which the people are so that they are allowed to move freely; and emphasize our determination to continue our peaceful protests till the regime is tumbled.
