Two Western Journalist die in shelling in Syria

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

With the death of two more journalists in Syria the committe to protect journalists reports that the total dead for 2012 is 9 with 5 of them reporting in Syria.

The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, honored Marie Colvin who died in the shelling in Syria yesterday. Watch his video here

Hillary Clinton and White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney, commended Marie Colvin and the french photojournalist that also died with her, Remi Ochlik, by praising reporters for placing themselves in danger to bring stories of oppression and brutality to the world.

This is one of Marie Colvin's last report from Syria. Due to the graphic nature of the video I've decided to link to the video instead of placing it where you can watch it on this site. It's important to see these images as she was only one of the Western journalist in Syria able to cover the conflict and show the reality of 28,000 civilans, men, women and children hiding and being shelled everyday.

[habibi83 12]

With the death of two more journalists in Syria the committe to protect journalists reports that the total dead for 2012 is 9 with 5 of them reporting in Syria.

The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, honored Marie Colvin who died in the shelling in Syria yesterday. Watch his video here

Hillary Clinton and White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney, commended Marie Colvin and the french photojournalist that also died with her, Remi Ochlik, by praising reporters for placing themselves in danger to bring stories of oppression and brutality to the world.

This is one of Marie Colvin's last report from Syria. Due to the graphic nature of the video I've decided to link to the video instead of placing it where you can watch it on this site. It's important to see these images as she was only one of the Western journalist in Syria able to cover the conflict and show the reality of 28,000 civilans, men, women and children hiding and being shelled everyday.

...how related this is to Egypt immigration questions???? Everyone here has access to World News website; is this really necessary to post on this forum???? If i want to know about the world news I will just read CNN website

[Mrs. Beasley 7]

I personnally do not have a problem with her posting this here. She has the freedom to do so. OP thanks for your post.

[Ban Hammer 13,555]

...how related this is to Egypt immigration questions???? Everyone here has access to World News website; is this really necessary to post on this forum???? If i want to know about the world news I will just read CNN website

this is not a forum strictly about egypt. a brief description of the forum at http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/100-regional-discussion/ shows it contains "Includes Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, The West Bank And Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen."

this is a valid topic for this regional forum. please do not continue to hijack the thread or attempt to shut down the conversation.

charles

vj moderation team

Edited February 23, 2012 by charles!

[Shoot Em Straight 385]

Thank you for posting...we are so comfortable in our own lives and should never ignore what is going on to our fellow man.

I had the privilege of living in Syria for a month and found the people very kind and open to me as an American.

And we cannot forget the hundreds of thousands of refugees they opened their country to when the Iraqi people had no other choice but to leave Baghdad because of secular killings in their neighborhoods and war.

I am very sorry for everyone's loss and could not imagine what bravery this reporter had in her to be where she died.

Keep posting with respect.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Yep, we discuss all kinds of regional issues in the MENA forum that are important. What goes on in the countries can have an affect on us and our SO's life and our extended families there. When the Arab Spring was happening in Egypt and the thugs were attacking neighborhoods my young BILs were taking shifts staying up all night guarding the streets. It was very scary for us and my SO has a difficult time being here unable to be there for his immediate family. There are several members with SO's from Syria on here. Though they may not frequent here as often anymore as those from Egypt or Morocco we're still in touch and I have compassion for them during this humanitarian crisis. Assad's regime has been killing 50-70 people a day for months now and this has finally been independently verified by Western journalist who gave their lives because of the strong belief in the importance of bringing light to this issue. The surge of violence in Syria has been cited as the reason for suspending Embassy operations in Syria as of Feb 6th this year. Their ambassador has returned to the US with no date for when operations will be restored.

The spotlight is now on the brutal crackdown in Syria. Tomorrow there is a "Friends of Syria" meeting in Tunis to see what can be done for the thousands of cold, starving civilians dying there. They will be discussing many issues. Once the violence started it became clear that the regime has to go. For their crimes against humanity it is apparent to the International community and even more clear to the Syrian people. The Syrians will fight to the end. You may ask anyone of them. The decision has been taken and in their minds it is done. Assad is calling for talks of negotiation but the line is already crossed for the people and there will be no talks now. They can not forget what he has done to them. They also know that pressure from the international community will not work with Assad's regime either. This will not make him step down or get the regime out.

[X Factor 1,112]

Marie Colvin was very close to getting out alive. She was doing a final story and was scheduled to leave Syria the next day. How unfortunate.

[Ban Hammer 13,555]

one post removed and poster thread banned for continuing to hijack the topic despite an earlier warning.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (Red Cross) was able to begin evacuations including but not verified of two injured journalists that were also harmed in the same shelling that killed the above journalists.

The conference in Tunis today had two important things come of it. One is the recognition of the Syrian National Council as a credible voice. The second is former UN-secretary general Kofi Annan being named as UN-Arab league envoy to Syria.

[sussemadel 16]

My husband is very stressed about the situation. He has a career here and cannot leave, but yet knows his family is there literally guarding their house and possesions with guns. Very torn between his responsibility of being the oldest son of 6. His family is living in a Christian village outside of Homs, which is the hotbed of all the violence. The violence is getting closer and closer to his home, from what he can discern talking to his brother when communications are open. For the last 3 weeks he hasn't heard from his family...no phone lines and no Internet.

Interestingly enough, the Christians are in support of Assad, because they feel he is the only one that can protect, and has protected Christians from what they believe are Islamic terrorists. Not saying they're in full support of what he's done, but they're conflicted because they know he's protected them in the past and they're scared of any kind of Islamic govt taking over the country.

He wants to go and protect his family..he has 3 sisters at home who he feels very protective of, but knows he would be leaving his family here..very hard situation

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Thank you for sharing this with us and please keep us updated on the situation with the family in Syria and how you and your husband are coping. That is interesting about the Christian supporting Assad because he's provided protection to them. I can understand their fears and the conundrum they face.

Our family in Egypt wasn't in as terrible danger as those in Syria with being shelled daily by the military but we too feared for those nights when the thugs attacked and looted neighborhoods. I worried for my teenage SIL and my MIL and of course for the young men, my BILs, who were guarding the homes in shifts with other young men in the neighborhood during the time of upheaval. Hubby faced the same issue as yours did with being the oldest boy and wanting to protect the family in Egypt and participate in the revolution. I was really thankful he wasn't there.

I hope the ceasefire comes soon with the humanitarian intervention.

Here is what Secretary Clinton has to say today about what happened at the meeting in Tunis.

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

My husband is very stressed about the situation. He has a career here and cannot leave, but yet knows his family is there literally guarding their house and possesions with guns. Very torn between his responsibility of being the oldest son of 6. His family is living in a Christian village outside of Homs, which is the hotbed of all the violence. The violence is getting closer and closer to his home, from what he can discern talking to his brother when communications are open. For the last 3 weeks he hasn't heard from his family...no phone lines and no Internet.

Interestingly enough, the Christians are in support of Assad, because they feel he is the only one that can protect, and has protected Christians from what they believe are Islamic terrorists. Not saying they're in full support of what he's done, but they're conflicted because they know he's protected them in the past and they're scared of any kind of Islamic govt taking over the country.

He wants to go and protect his family..he has 3 sisters at home who he feels very protective of, but knows he would be leaving his family here..very hard situation

I'm so sorry to hear of this situation for your husbands family. Praying for protection upon them & others that just want to live in freedom & a better life!

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

I'm so sorry to hear of this situation for your husbands family. Praying for protection upon them & others that just want to live in freedom & a better life!

Thank you Tamara for your additional prayers.

[Donna A 4]

Thanks for posting about Syria. My husband is a doctor from there. He has been here for over 8 years and sends me videos daily. They are the most horrible thing i have ever saw. Kids with their jaw blown off and legs hanging on by only skin. These kids will die because there is no doctor to help them.

Thank God his family is in Damascus where there isnt much fighting. But he does say daily things are getting worse and worse there.

We did get married in Homs and I feel sad to see this is whats going on there.

He was going to go home in January but since things are getting worse he hasnt made the trip.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

God Donna I am so sorry. I am at a loss for words of what to say to this. You were married in the city of Homs which is under the worst siege and your husbands family is in Damascus which has also seen terrible fighting. Is this family ok? How is your husband handling it? It must be very difficult for you both. Again I am so very sorry. It is horrible what is happening to civilians there, especially the innocent children.