Damascus: releasing some 500 detainees: a demonstration in Dummar in support to national unity
Syria, Politics, 3/20/2004

Signs of detente of the severe acts of riots took place recently in Syria have appeared as the Syrian authorities released more than 500 persons who were detained during the past days.

Well-informed sources in Damascus said that "more than 500 Kurds were released" in the two past days and "more will be released during this week end" which coincides with al-Nairoze day.

But the sources confirmed "no one convicted to have taken place in the riots operations will be freed." The Syrian TV yesterday broadcast a report including the demonstration made by scores in support of President Bashar al-Assad in al-Riz quarters of Dummar quarters in Damascus which had witnessed acts of riots. The demonstrators chanted national slogans and long live for the Syrian President.

The demonstrators denied what was made by "certain elements of sedition" in several areas. They stressed their commitment to national unity in Syria and deplored the threats and pressures Syria has been exposed to. The speakers during the demonstration demanded "striking the hand of any one who tried to violate the secure and stable life all Syrians enjoy in Syria."

Meantime, Abdul Aziz Dawoud, the secretary general of what is called the Kurdish democratic party in Qamishli said "we were informed that the Syrian authorities released 600 Kurds detained in Dummar ( west Damascus ) last Saturday during confrontations that took place between the security forces and Kurdish demonstrators.

Meanwhile Sheikh Salah Eddine Kiftaro, Imam of Abu al-Nour mosque in Rukn Eddine quarters, one of Damascus quarters where a Kurdish minority live said in Friday's sermon that the riots incidents is "an odd phenomenon and the Kurds should not be viewed as rioters." He said that the Kurds are "innocent citizens and were born from ancient times in the womb of the Arab nation, from the womb of Salah Eddine al-Ayoubi, the liberators of our lands from foreigners ( Crusaders)."

He added " we will not permit any one to say Arabs and Kurds, we are all Syrians." Meanwhile, the secretary general of the coalition party for democracy and unity in Syria, Muhammad Safwan, accused Alekiti party, another Kurdish party of provoking for acts of riots in al-Qamishli city.

Safwan added he had agreed with certain Kurdish parties to denounce "asking the support of any foreign forces" and what had happened of acts of riots. He said that this group is "Alkeiti party which is led by Fouad Alleiko and Ismael Omar," describing the party as "small situated in al-Qamishli area and in a very small margin in northern Aleppo, but they have foreign contacts and they had a great role in provoking riots and blowing off sedition. "

Previous Stories:
  Washington; we do not support the separation of the Kurds   (3/19/2004)
  Kurdish leaderships call for calm, asking to meet with al-Assad; Damascus: a sedition buried at its birth   (3/19/2004)
  Syrian interior minister press conference on al-Qamishli incidents   (3/19/2004)

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