You are in the 226th Witness Revolution diary, bearing witness to pro-democracy movements in North Africa, the Middle East and beyond. We aim here to simply report, from as many reliable worldwide resources as possible, on the successes, challenges or failures of the brave people striving against oppression for representative democracy with civil and human rights. One small bit of assurance that they do not strive in obscurity. Please see the 200th edition where participants shared what this series means to them.
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
YEMEN
(ht JustJennifer 8/13) - August 12th
Victorious God Willing Friday in Sa'ada
ISRAEL
(ht JustJennifer 8/13) - Beer Sheva, Israel, 13/8/2011
Protest for social justice
SYRIA
#Homs | Protesters coming from two different points meeting up at one point - Syria
LIBYA
Libyan freedom fighters fought their way into the strategic city of Zawiya west of Tripoli on Saturday, in their most significant advance in months (Aug. 14 2011)
country by country updates below the fold
Thank you for bearing witness.
ABOUT OUR GROUP
Eyes on Egypt and the Region produces a different series of diaries which provide background and analysis on the region in general and on individual countries. We hope those provide context for you as you read about current events. The published diaries in that series are:
Eyes on Egypt and the Region Background Resources
See the group stream for even more diaries.
DO YOU KNOW OF GOOD READING MATERIAL?
We collect suggested readings for background reference materials in support of the Eyes on Egypt and the Region group. These may be non-fiction or fiction, general to the region or specific to a country or issue. If there are resources which you believe could aid our understanding of the events and processes we are witnessing, please either a) post a comment in the Liveblog with the title "Suggested reading:" and a brief description of the reading in the body of the comment, or b) send your suggestions via the dKos internal message to angry marmot.
Libyan Doctors for Hospitals in Libya is an impressive new aide organization launched by one of our own: StepLeftStepForward.
NEWS UPDATES
(country names in bold are updated from the previous diary.)
GENERAL ANALYSIS
(h/t Dibsa 8/9)-Should Mubarak Trial Worry Middle East's Monarchs?: Noe & Waad
August 8 (Bloomberg) -- The stunning image of the ex-Egyptian president in the dock last week provoked many commentators throughout the Mideast to embrace the idea of an authoritarian ruler being brought to account
ALGERIA
(h/t Dibsa 8/9) - Algerian Islamists launch new party
Long-time Algerian Islamist Abdellah Djaballah recently created a new political party, shaking up the conservative political landscape
BAHRAIN
(h/t Dibsa 8/11) - Bahrain monument gone, but grievances linger
MANAMA What used to be an arching monument to Bahrain's pearl-diving heritage in the heart of its capital has vanished, replaced by a nondescript road junction that masked soldiers and armoured personnel carriers block any car from entering
(h/t Dibsa 8/10) - Some freed Bahrain detainees to be tried - former MP
DUBAI (Reuters) - Bahrain has released more than 100 detainees who had been facing military trials over their roles in anti-government protests earlier this year, but some of them will still be prosecuted in civilian courts, one of those set free said on Wednesday
(h/t Dibsa 8/10) - Health care in danger: making the case
This publication draws attention to one of the most crucial yet overlooked humanitarian issues of today: violence against health care. Attacking health-care structures and personnel, and ambulances – as well as deliberately obstructing the efforts of the wounded to find help – are common features of conflicts throughout the world
(h/t Dibsa 8/10) - Bahrain needs 300 Pinoy medical workers
BAHRAIN - The Bahraini government, thru the Royal Family, prefers Filipino workers compared to other nationalities. Prime Minister Price Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa is overwhelmed after the Aquino government recently lifted the ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Bahrain
(h/t Dibsa 8/10) - What Happened to My Bahrain Friend
I wrote recently about an old friend, Hasan al-Sahaf, a Bahraini artist who had been imprisoned –nominally for economic offenses, but in reality for standing up to the regime. My column was an appeal to King Hamad to release him, and recently Hasan was indeed released. He telephoned with the good news, and I invited him to write a post on my blog about what happened. He courageously agreed, and here’s what he wrote
(h/t Dibsa 8/10) - Al Jazeera Changes Plan to Rerun Documentary
Al Jazeera English has quashed several planned rebroadcasts of “Shouting in the Dark,” an hourlong documentary about Bahrain’s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters that had its debut last week and brought complaints from Bahraini authorities
(h/t Dibsa 8/9) - Bahrain: Release on bail and ongoing judicial harassment faced by Mr. Mohamed Issa Al Tajer
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), has received new information and requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Bahrain
(h/t Dibsa 8/9) - Released Bahraini politicians still under threat from government repression
Two Bahraini MPs jailed during anti-government protests might still be facing criminal charges despite being released from prison this weekend, Amnesty International has warned
(h/t Dibsa 8/8) - Bahraini detainees allege torture
MANAMA, Bahrain, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Many of the prisoners held in Bahrain were tortured by state security forces as a matter of principle, a former detainee and opposition leader said
(h/t Dibsa 8/8) - Bahrain: The divided kingdom
Brutal crackdowns on Bahraini protesters have revealed a bloody rift between the country's Sunni rulers and the Shia majority. Sectarian violence could tear the nation apart – as it has done elsewhere, warns Patrick Cockburn
(h/t Dibsa 8/8) - Bahrain releases two former MPs, detainees
Bahrain’s public prosecutor on Sunday released two former lawmakers, a lawyer and several other detainees held on security-related charges
(h/t Dibsa 8/8) - Bahrain to free 147 prisoners
MANAMA, BAHRAIN — 147 Bahraini detainees are set to be released within a matter of hours, the head of the kingdom's independent commission of inquiry told The Washington Times in a phone interview Saturday night
COTE D'IVOIRE
(h/t Dibsa 8/11 ) - Ivory Coast conflict: UN says 26 executed in a month
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Ivory Coast says that 26 people have been executed in the last month
(h/t Dibsa 8/9 ) - Ivory Coast's Ouattara adopts ethics code to oust corruption
ABIDJAN — Government ministers in Ivory Coast had to sign a new code of ethics Tuesday introduced by new President Alassane Ouattara to battle rife corruption and "moralise" public life in the country
DJIBOUTI
(h/t Dibsa 6/22 ) - Djibouti Will Intensify Fight Against Poverty, Prime Minister Dileita Says
Djibouti’s government will intensify its fight against poverty, improve governance and implement renewable-energy projects to help spur economic growth, Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita said
EGYPT
(h/t Dibsa 8/11) - Egypt to lift emergency law before elections
CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's government says it plans to lift the country's hated emergency law before democratic parliamentary elections later this year
(h/t Dibsa 8/8 ) - Only God's mercy can save Egypt
The military that ousted King Farouk in 1952 and defended Egypt against foreign aggression must step up now to prevent its own ship sinking
IRAN
(h/t Dibsa 8/4) - AP Interview: Iran envoy sees release for 2 US men
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iran's ambassador to Iraq said Thursday he expects two Americans who have been charged with espionage and held in Tehran for more than two years will be released "very soon."
IRAQ
(h/t Dibsa 8/9) - Iraqi MPs approve journalists’ rights law
BAGHDAD — The Iraqi parliament on Tuesday approved a law aimed at strengthening journalists’ rights in a country that tops the list of unsolved killings of members of the media
ISRAEL
(h/t Dibsa 8/9 ) - Swelling list of demands fuels Israel protests
Israel’s social protest movement started with a tent on Tel Aviv’s Rothschild Boulevard and a few voices demanding affordable housing. In less than a month it has grown into a national phenomenon – and perhaps the most serious challenge yet to the government of Benjamin Netanyahu
(h/t Dibsa 8/8 ) -
As Markets Tank Israeli Protesters Resemble Arab Spring, Not Tea Party
The Tel Aviv stock marked crashed and trading was halted today in reaction to the contentious politically driven decision by Standard & Poor’s to lower the U.S. debt rating, but the protesters on the streets were not an Israeli-style Tea Party
JORDAN
(h/t Dibsa 8/4) - Jordan youths to up pro-reform demos
Jordanian youth groups said on Thursday they plan to increase their pro-reform demonstrations in Amman and other cities during the holy month of Ramadan and for the Eid al-Fitr festival
KUWAIT
(h/t Dibsa 6/27) - Kuwait arrests duo over Twitter comments
Kuwait will put two citizens on trial for criticising Gulf Arab ruling families on social media site Twitter, a security official said
LEBANON
(h/t Dibsa 8/9) - Syria solidarity rally held in Beirut
Hundreds of people have rallied in Beirut, Lebanon's capital, in solidarity with the Syrian people, as the Syrian government intensified its crackdown on protesters
LIBYA
(h/t Dibsa 8/11) - Libya struggles amid stalemated conflict
BENGHAZI, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Libyan rebels strengthened the efforts to push forward their troops to Tripoli in the west front following NATO's biggest ever air strike on the Libyan capital on Tuesday
(h/t Dibsa 8/11) - Libyan rebels at the gates of oil hub Brega
BREGA, Libya — Libyan rebels fighting to oust strongman Moamer Kadhafi have no doubt about it -- in just a "a few days" they plan to retake the strategic oil hub of Brega, nestled on the Gulf of Syrte
(h/t Dibsa 8/9) - Libya rebels’ finances precarious
Laden with 22 boxes of cash, the Air Libya jet struggled to take off from Benghazi airport. Officials from Libya’s rebel council last week delivered $10m in local currency to 50,000 families in the western mountains of Nafusa, whose relatives are battling Colonel Muammer Gaddafi’s forces on Tripoli’s southern flank
(h/t Dibsa 8/9) - Libya Accuses NATO of Killing Villagers
The Libyan government is accusing NATO forces of killing dozens of civilians in a village near the western town of Zlitan. Authorities said Tuesday that villagers in Majar were killed late Monday, following allied airstrikes over the region. The government said the victims included children
(h/t Dibsa 8/9) - Canada expels Libya diplomats and freezes bank accounts
Canada has ordered diplomats at the Libyan embassy in Ottawa to the leave the country within five days, and has frozen the mission's bank accounts
(h/t Dibsa 8/9) - Libya rebels push in eastern oil town, 2 killed
BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) — A Libyan rebel spokesman says two people have been killed and 14 wounded in fighting around a strategic oil terminal town in the country's east
(h/t Dibsa 8/8) - NBC fixer killed by a rocket in Libya
NEW YORK – Salah went first. He always did. He had a big man’s walk, his long strides straining the folds of his bright white “haik,” the traditional gown worn over trousers by Berber men
RESOURCES:
A vision of a democratic Libya an 8-point plan from the National Transitional Council
The full text of UN Resolution 1970 on Libya.
The full text of UN Resolution 1973 on Libya.
President Obama's letter to Congress regarding commencement of operations in Libya. (h/t greenbird)
Al Jazeera Libyan live blog. (h/t jnhobbs)
UK Telegraph Libyan live blog. (h/t bee tzu)
BBC Libyan live blog found here. (h/t greenbird)
The New Yorker Dispatches from Libya. (h/t suejazz)
BBC's Libyan crisis mapped. (h/t phil S 33)
revolutionology is a blog from an American in Benghazi
MAURITANIA
(h/t Dibsa 8/11) - Mauritania ALERT: Police brutalise anti-slavery campaigners
A group of anti-slavery campaigners in Mauritania protesting against a slavery case in the country were on August 4, 2011 violently dispersed by personnel of the Mauritanian Police Service
(h/t Dibsa 8/9) - Mauritania]] Opposition Parties Set Conditions for Dialog With President
Opposition parties in Mauritania, Africa’s second-biggest iron-ore producer, set conditions including the ability to hold peaceful demonstrations that need to be met before they start talks with President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz
MOROCCO
(h/t Dibsa 8/8 ) - The Last Moroccan King?
Deterrence no longer seems to be a credible tool to quieten political opposition in Morocco, as the Makhzen - the name given in Morocco to the state apparatus - seems to be finding out
OMAN
(h/t Dibsa 7/6) - Oman jails 12 more protesters, bringing total to 80
MUSCAT (Reuters) - An Omani court jailed 12 protesters from the coastal city of Sohar for up to three and a half years, a local paper said Wednesday, bringing the total number of people sentenced for taking part in the unrest to 80
PALESTINE
(h/t Dibsa 8/9 ) - Why the US must support bid for Palestinian statehood
Palestinian leaders need equal footing with Israeli leaders – not to mention popular backing – for any peace process to succeed. Statehood sets the stage not only for productive negotiations, but also for lasting regional peace
SAUDI ARABIA
(h/t Dibsa 8/11) - Saudi Arabia's Counter-Revolution
Late at night on Sunday, August 7, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia delivered an unusual televised rebuke to Syria’s Bashar al-Asad calling on him to “stop the killing machine” and immediately begin reforms. The Saudi move against Damascus was only the latest twist in Riyadh’s newly energetic foreign policy
SYRIA
(h/t Dibsa 8/11) - Syrian troops kill 5 in restive town near Lebanon
BEIRUT (AP) — The Syrian army shot dead at least five people in a western town near the Lebanese border Thursday and stormed a northwestern town near Turkey's border, activists said
(h/t Dibsa 8/11) - UN Security Council Hears ‘Chilling’ Briefing on Syrian Crisis
European members of the U.N. Security Council are urging Syria to comply with the body’s calls for it to end a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, otherwise, they warn the council will consider further steps to pressure Damascus
(h/t Dibsa 8/10 ) - What Lies Ahead in Syria?
The royal blue street signs directing traffic to the roundabout—modest compared to its world-famous Cairo counterpart—look increasingly ironic. For residents wishing for a quick and cathartic revolution like Egypt’s, the insignificance of their Liberation Square is salt in a long-festering wound. For others who fear the unknown alternative that would replace the flawed but familiar status quo, it is a relief
(h/t Dibsa 8/10) - UN: Syria Escalates Repression After Security Council Statement
(New York) – The United Nations Security Council should press Syria to comply with the council’s demand to end attacks against peaceful protesters, Human Rights Watch said today. Syria should comply with the Security Council’s August 3, 2011 statement, which also called on Syria to cooperate fully with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which has been investigating the abuses in Syria
(h/t Dibsa 8/9) - Syria defies world reproach with new army raids
BEIRUT (AP) — The Syrian army launched raids on restive areas Tuesday, defying growing international reproach over the regime's deadly crackdown on a 5-month-old uprising as Turkey's foreign minister met with President Bashar Assad to express his concern
(h/t Dibsa 8/9) - Syrian defense minister replaced
BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad replaced his defense minister Monday with the army chief of staff in the midst of a brutal military crackdown on a 5-month-old uprising, the state-run news agency said
(h/t Dibsa 8/8) - Saudi Arabia's rare criticism of Syria reveals their underlying antipathy
Saudi Arabian foreign policy is usually a discreet business involving financial incentives and low-profile initiatives, so condemnation of the Syrian repression by King Abdullah is a rare example of high-profile official candour
(h/t Dibsa 8/8) - Arab nations condemn Syria as crackdown mounts
Arab nations joined the international chorus of condemnation against President Bashar Assad's regime Monday, with Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia pulling out their ambassadors as a besieged Syrian city came under fresh artillery fire. (Aug. 8) (/The Associated Press)
(h/t Dibsa 8/8) - Syria conflict descends into 'war of attrition'
BEIRUT (AP) — Despite five months of blistering attacks on dissent, the Syrian regime has yet to score a decisive victory against a pro-democracy uprising determined to bring down the country's brutal dictatorship
(h/t Dibsa 8/8) - Turkey's friendship with Syria nears breaking point
(Reuters) - Turkey's friendship with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stood near breaking point as Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu prepared to visit Damascus on Tuesday in a last-ditch effort to persuade Assad to stop his security forces attacking civilians
TUNISIA
(h/t Dibsa 8/11) - Tunisia building special prison wards for Ben Ali clan
TUNIS — Three new wards are being built at Tunisia's Monarguia prison to house ousted president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali allies currently detained on a military base, a top official said Thursday
(h/t Dibsa 8/9) - Tunisia: Questionnaire Challenges Candidates on Human Rights Issues
Candidates running for the Constituent Assembly should make a public commitment to protect human rights in addressing a questionnaire to all of Tunisia's political parties
(h/t Dibsa 8/9) - Tunisia seizes 234 luxury cars from Ben Ali clan
TUNIS — A Tunisian government expropriation commission has seized 234 luxury vehicles owned by allies and relatives of toppled president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, media reported Tuesday
(h/t Dibsa 8/8) - Media and political changes in Tunisia
The media landscape in Tunisia is changing along with public attitudes after the fall of the Ben Ali regime. At a recent workshop in Tunis, experts from Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, France and Germany discussed how government media is making a transition to public news organisations in service of citizens
(h/t Dibsa 8/8) - Ben Ali clan arrested on Tunis airport tarmac: Colonel
TUNIS - A police colonel recounted Monday the dramatic airport arrest of 28 relatives of toppled president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali who allegedly tried to flee Tunisia with jewels and cash as the regime fell
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
(h/t ninkasi23 8/10) - The United (but not Equal) Arab Emirates
While Abu Dhabi is awash with cranes working around the clock to raise a post modern city from the sand, and the skyline of Dubai is exploding with glass towers, in the northern emirates what one sees is a developing-world landscape. In Ras Al Khaimah, many of the residential streets are lined with single-story homes with unsightly exterior air conditioning units, peeling paint and tin-roofed garages.
WESTERN SAHARA
(h/t Dibsa 7/26) - Western Sahara talks end in impasse
The latest round of unofficial, UN-brokered Western Sahara negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario ended without agreement last week
(h/t Dibsa 7/25) - Western Sahara: Women Refugees Denounce Dictatorship, Corruption at Camps
MADRID / Association for the development of Saharawi Women, led by Salma Buha Mint Bubacar Lecuara, president of the association and Fatma Ahmed Essbiti, its secretary, held a conference on july 21, 2011 at The Emperor hotel in Madrid. Ana Camacho a senior journalist with El País intervened in support of the two speakers. Also attended the ceremony Mohamed Salem jaddou a member of the association
YEMEN
(h/t Dibsa 8/11) - Yemeni president objects to power transfer deal
SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Yemen's embattled president is now objecting to key points of a U.S.-backed deal that calls for him to step down in return for immunity from prosecution, a member of his ruling party said Thursday
(h/t Dibsa 8/11) - Yemen's Saleh 'positive on power-transfer'
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, recovering in Riyadh from bomb blast wounds, said a Gulf proposal for power transfer which he averted signing in the past should be treated positively
(h/t Dibsa 8/9) - Yemeni president 'to return home'
Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen's president, is to return to his country from Saudi Arabia after his doctors have determined the necessary recovery period for him, Yemen's official news agency reported
(h/t Dibsa 8/9) - Yemen opposition to form umbrella council
The Yemeni opposition vying to oust President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who is recovering from bomb blast wounds in Riyadh, said Tuesday it will elect an umbrella "national council" aiming to take over power
(h/t Dibsa 8/8) - U.S. convinces Saleh not to return to Yemen: report
(Reuters) - U.S. officials have convinced Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, convalescing in Saudi Arabia from an assassination attempt, not to return to his country, the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat reported on Monday
It bears repeating -
Please Rec this diary.
Our Egyptian brethren articulated what people around the region are fighting for, though variations to the theme may exist from country to country. banner held by protesters and translated to English:
1 The departure of Mubarak
2 An end to the current Parliament
3 An end of the state of emergency
4 The creation of a national united government
5 A parliament elected by the people to modify the constitution and run the presidential elections
6 Put those responsible for the killings on trial
7 Put those responsible for stealing the country's money and other acts of corruption on trial
Will you help us gather updates?
Many hands make light work and we rely on teamwork for timely posting.
Here's how it works:
1. we invite you to join our wiki. (we'll need an email address from you)
2. you choose 1 or more countries you wish to gather citations for
3. go to the page of that country, click EDIT,
4. copy the mini template and fill in what the red text prompts
5. click SAVE
We're working on a publication schedule: Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday. Ideally we would see fresh citations in the wiki by late evening the day before. That is, posts from late Monday evening would be published in Tuesday morning's diary. (If you'd like produce a diary on a different day of the week, we'd love to show you how to update the template and paste it into your diary!)
It's really that simple! Please join us.
Resources:
Note: The old Mothership Diary has good list of resources.
Al Jazeera English - Watch Live (the Youtube link below should work for Mac users unable to load this.)
Al Jazeera live also available on: Dish Network channel 9410 OR DirecTV Channel 375 Link
Al Jazeera on Facebook: - http: www.facebook.com/aljazeera
Al Jazeera Live on YouTube
English Stream http://www.youtube.com/...
Arabic Stream http://www.youtube.com/...
BBC Middle East reporting
BBC Middle East and Arab Unrest
WorldWideTahrir{NEW} : Worldwide protests being organized to coincide with the upcoming ones in Egypt.
bicycle Hussein paladin - Why Iran 1979 Went to the Islamists and This One Won't
People to follow on twitter: - please suggest people for specific countries. Thank you!
@ArabRevolution - Region
@Dima_Khatib - Region
@March15Syria - Syria
@JNovak_Yemen - Yemen
@WomanfromYemen - Yemen
@Gheblawi - Libya
@ShababLibya - Libya
@feb17voices - Libya
@DrsForLibya - Libya
@libyanexpat - Libya
@lissnp - Iran
@prsianbanoo - Iran
@sandmonkey - Egypt
@JRamyRaoof - Egypt
@Elazul - Egypt
@Ssirgany - Egypt
@sharifkouddous
@monasosh
@ioerror
@ElBaradei
@SultanAlQassemi
@evanchill
@glcarlstrom
@nolanjazeera
@3arabawy
@shadihamid
@bencnn
@arabist
@speaktotweet: Egyptian Voice Tweets on Twitter
Previous Child Diaries:
Egypt and the Region Liveblog Archive by unaspenser
NOTE: We renamed the original "Egypt Liveblog" to "Witnessing Revolution". From Egypt the pro-democracy fire spread rapidly. It's not clear that it will be limited by geography or ethnicity. So, we wanted a name which states what is happening yet allows us to grow with the movement, wherever that will be. The number sequence will be continuous. The group name will remain the same. Only this particular diary series within the group changed names.
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