Tal Abyad massacre

August 5, 2013
This was just published by PressTV: -- Petri Krohn (talk) 16:24, 5 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Militants kill 450 Kurdish civilians in northern Syria
 * Foreign-backed militants fighting against the Syrian government have killed 450 civilians, including 120 children, in a Kurdish-majority area in northern Syria.
 * According to al-Alam, militants from al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front attacked Tal Abyad district of Raqqa governorate on Monday, killing 330 women and elderly men as well as 120 children.
 * The massacre comes a week after al-Nusra militants attacked two Kurdish villages in Aleppo and took hostage around 200 civilians.


 * 120 children slaughtered in Syria's Tal Abyad – al Alam, August 05, 2013 2:56 PM
 * Terrorists affiliated to al-Nusra Front have massacred 120 children and 330 men and women in Syria's northern district of Tal Abyad, al-Alam reports.
 * According to our reporter, terrorists attacked villages in Tal Abyad, near al-Hasakah governorate on Monday, killing civilians including women and children.
 * The Kurdish dominated region of Tal Abyad located in north of Al-Raqqa governorate, was already volatile after terrorist groups from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and al-Nusra Front attacked the region weeks ago to take it under control.
 * Deadly clashes have been going on in the region as Kurds gathered volunteer fighters and started to stand against terrorists.
 * Kurds have come under attack in Aleppo as well, where earlier this week terrorists launched an assault on Tall `Aran and Tall Hasel, killing and abducting many people and forcing others to leave.
 * Videos posted online by the militant groups showed hundreds of women and children in Tall `Aran, lying dead on the ground after their homes and plant fields were bombed.


 * Kurdish organization in Iran is prepared to send fighters to Syria – Sherzad Shekhani, 5 Aug, 2013
 * Erbil, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK), a Kurdish organization in Iran, has announced that it is “ready to send fighters to Syrian Kurdistan to fight beside their people.”
 * The decision comes in the light of ongoing clashes between the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria and Islamist groups such as Jabhat Al-Nusra and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
 * Sources within Syria pointed out that “fatwas are broadcast from mosques in the region that permit Kurdish blood to be spilled. This development is very dangerous and is reminiscent of the infamous Operation Anfal, but this time against Syrian Kurds.”
 * A source within the People’s Protection Unit (YPG), which is affiliated with the PYD, informed Asharq Al-Awsat that 63 people were killed yesterday in clashes between Kurdish fighters and Jabhat Al-Nusra and ISIS. The source added that Kurdish fighters had seized weapons, ammunition and armored fighting vehicles.
 * “As a result of increasing threats and terrorist forces consolidated against us . . . as well as some members from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) joining this suspicious alliance, there is an urgent and intense desire among young men and women from Kurdish areas to join the YPG.”
 * The source continued, explaining that “many of them are now aware of the overt agendas of forces hostile to the Kurdish people within Syria. As such, they have proceeded to defend the rights that they recently had access to, thanks to the Democratic Union Party. Every day we receive hundreds of young men and women coming to volunteer, and we are currently working to assimilate them—despite our modest means.”
 * Sherzad Al-Yazidi, the official spokesperson for the People’s Council of West Kurdistan, said in a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat that “What occurred in Tell Abyad, and is happening today in Ramilan and Ras Al-Ain, was elements and forces from the Free Syrian Army participating . . . in a race war against us.”
 * Yazidi claimed that FSA units had been brought in from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa to participate in the “race war,” and that they had “deliberate intentions” to “eliminate the model of Kurdish governance, which we have proposed for Syria overall—a model of coexistence and brotherhood, away from sectarianism and racism.”
 * “Nevertheless,” he concluded, “what we see today in the Kurdish streets—a united youth who are willing to sacrifice their lives in defense of the freedom that they have achieved—confirms that enemies’ intentions will fail.”


 * Syrian Perspective
 * It has been confirmed, the NATO-created Jabhat Al-Nusra freak rodents and their allies in the Al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia and the Levant, came out of Turkey, armed by Erdoghan and Saudi Arabia, trained by the U.S. and its allies, and MASSACRED 120 INNOCENT CHILDREN AND 300 MOTHERS in the town of Tal Abyadh in Kurdish-controlled Al-Raqqa. We are in contact with Aslan in Iskandaroon today and he tells me that the anger amongst Turkish officers, especially after the recent military shake-up, is bursting.  Turks are fully aware that Erdoghan is supporting these acts of inhuman outrage.  We will be receiving more news as the Kurdish media services begin sending in their reports in detail about this heinous and atrocious crime aided and abetted by Obama and his simian Saudi allies.


 * 120 Children Slaughtered in Syria's Tal Abyad – Fars News Agency, Aug 05, 2013 4:48
 * According to al-Alam, terrorists attacked villages in Tal Abyad, near al-Hasakah governorate, killing civilians including women and children.


 * Militants set Syrian Kurds on fire, new video footage shows – PressTV, Aug 5, 2013 10:41PM GMT
 * A gruesome video has emerged on the Internet, showing foreign-backed militants in Syria setting three Syrian Kurds on fire.
 * The video, which was posted online on Monday, shows the al-Qaeda-affiliated group al-Nusra Front militants pouring a flammable liquid on the hand-cuffed, blind-folded men who appear to be Syrian Kurd soldiers.
 * The militants then push the three into a fire they have made.
 * Reports said that al-Nusra militants attacked Tal Abyad district of Raqqa governorate in northern Syria on Monday, killing 450 civilians. The victims were said to be women, children and the elderly.

Video
Still no sign of the massacre video. Some info here:
 * Berichte über gigantisches Massaker in Syrien
 * The Iranian state television channel Al-Alam reported on Monday about the massacre, which includes 120 children to have fallen victim to. Accordingly, the village was allegedly attacked on the border with Turkey by the Islamist Al-Nusra front. The upgraded from Saudi Arabia and Qatar militia have been repeatedly accused of massacres of civilians and the execution of prisoners. The massacre had occurred after residents of the village had tried to fight back the attackers armed. A video circulating on the internet since Monday shows the bodies of dozens of children and women.


 * Disturbing report alleges killings of 450 Kurds in Syria – RT, August 07, 2013
 * The channel also ran horrific uncensored footage from the scene - the authenticity of which can’t be independently verified at this moment. For ethical reasons, RT will refrain from airing the video.

-- Petri Krohn (talk) 14:25, 8 August 2013 (UTC)

Kurdish sources
Kurdish sources: I made the round through the usual Kurdish outlets and while they're full of news about the escalating fights between YPG and the Takfiri Robots, there's nothing about that specific event so far, which is kind of odd. The 63 dead in fighting mentioned in the Sherzad Shekhani article quoted above show up, but no single event with 450 dead in Tal Abyad. Not on Rudaw, not on Firat, not on Die Kurden. --CE (talk) 13:46, 6 August 2013 (UTC)


 * I could not find anything either. Nothing on YouTube of the "videos posted online by the militant groups" supposedly showing hundreds of bodies. I collected videos on a playlist but all I have is fighting between Kurds and al-Nusra.


 * No mention of a Tell Abyad / Tal Abyad / Til Ebyed / Girê Spî ‪‎massacre‬ on this Kurdish PDY Info page. There is this one post from August 1, 2013.
 * In the last few days over 50 civilian Kurds have been executed by Jabhat al-Nusra and ISIS members in Til Eran and Til Hasil. Most of the civilians executed are mothers, fathers and siblings to Jabhat al-Ekrad members (Jabhat al-Ekrad have been fighting both the ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra).
 * -- Petri Krohn (talk) 20:13, 6 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Yeah, this incident with the 50 civilians killed in the other villages (close to Aleppo) I have found articles about as well. That seems to have taken place some days earlier around the turn Juli/August and directly related to the kidnapping of the 200 civilians. There's all hell breaking loose in the region atm. "Funny" that we hear not a beep about that in the corporate press, isn't it? Well, we know why. Anyway, I monitored the #TwitterKurds stream a while, still not much about this event and if so, only references to the PressTV/AlAlam item. RT picked it up in a short report. The demonstration at the end of it is likely in Ceylanpinar, the Turkish part of Serekaniye... --CE (talk) 22:04, 6 August 2013 (UTC)

Thanks, guys. I haven't even barely touched this and already two people are more on it, wow. Sounds pretty iffy, between the misatributed (?) photo and lack of verifying reports. But from the locale, looking for a new entry point, makes too much sense to dismiss totally yet. Notlikely to be simple confusion with these other civilian mass killings, which are in towns (tal-Aran and Tal-Hasl) around al-Safirah SE of Aleppo. That's of interest as well and seems more supported and in line with the known rebel policy of targeting whole families on lines of the adult males' politics. --Caustic Logic (talk) 22:01, 6 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Wow, I wonder why there was no edit conflict? Smart software. :o) See above, I agree that the other one is better supported. Maybe we need a general page covering this new Kurds vs. Turds war? --CE (talk) 22:07, 6 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Quick discussion here. That sounds like a good plan. That name wouldn't work, but as a nickname I love it. --Caustic Logic (talk) 22:12, 6 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I'll bring the Ras Al-Ayn article up to date tonight. It's important to this. From what I know so far it (re-)started around two weeks ago when the Turds attacked a convoy of female YPG fighters ("ey, why don't you wear a sack?"), which led to the end of the ceasefire/agreement and the Kurds kicked them out for good, apparently this time including from the border crossing which they now control, which could mean as you said that the Turds indeed need a new entry in Akcacale/Tal Abyad. And Ceylanpinar sees solidarity demonstrations with Turks coming from all over the region and camping in some park... amazing stuff. Details later over there. --CE (talk) 22:19, 6 August 2013 (UTC)


 * From what I read elsewhere the latest round of violence started from the split between al-Nusra and ISIS. The Kurds had a truce with al-Nusra, but ISIS did not want to respect it. The stories now however speak about fighting between the Kurds and al-Nusra, not ISIS. -- Petri Krohn (talk) 01:17, 7 August 2013 (UTC)


 * "400 kidnapped" might explain a lot. It is just possible that the videos were on line on YouTube, but were pulled by the Kurdish sources. There may be negotiation going on and they do not want to "complicate" the situation. I do not think YouTube / NSA / CIA could have censored all this, but who knows. -- Petri Krohn (talk) 01:51, 7 August 2013 (UTC)


 * PYD tweeted an hour ago: "200 Kurdish civilians in Til Ebyed are still being held in captivity by Jabhat al Nusra. They are in dire condition.". Fits. --CE (talk) 17:06, 7 August 2013 (UTC)

Russian sources
Russia is still insisting the story of massacre is true.
 * UNSC should condemn crimes committed against Kurds in Syria - Lavrov – RT, August 07, 2013
 * The UN Security Council must unambiguously condemn the reported killings of Kurds by radical forces, which try to establish an Islamist state in Syria, says Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
 * Lavrov commented on Wednesday on the reported slaughter of 450 Kurd civilians, including more than 120 children, by the Islamist Al-Nusra Front.


 * Disturbing report alleges killings of 450 Kurds in Syria – RT, August 07, 2013
 * According to Iranian TV channel Al-Alam, militants from the Jabhat al-Nusra Front attacked the town of Tal Abyad on Monday, killing 120 children and 330 women and elderly near the Turkish border.
 * The channel also ran horrific uncensored footage from the scene - the authenticity of which can’t be independently verified at this moment. For ethical reasons, RT will refrain from airing the video.
 * Neither the Syrian government nor the opposition has confirmed the report. RT contacted a number of sources, including several Kurdish interviewees, who testified that increased fighting has been taking place in their areas.


 * Russia demands UN condemnation of massacre against Kurds in Syria – M. Klostermayr / Syrianews.cc, August 7, 2013
 * At least, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would not have mentioned this mass killing of Syrian Kurds, including about 120 children and many Kurdish women, by the Syrian al-Qaeda offshoot (al-Nusra Front / Jabhat al-Nusra) in case the reports about this next horrible massacre by foreign-supported jihadists and terrorists on Syrian soil would be false and not true. In addition, Russia should know whether such reports and massacres are true or false, to be honest.

Video: Reports Islamists massacre 450 Kurds in Syria, including 120 kids m018ca5In0E -- Petri Krohn (talk) 02:30, 8 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Kurdicide: Civilian Kurds slaughtered as Al-Qaeda seeks control in Syria – RT, August 8

Rebuttals
Someone has noticed that the "Assad Regime" used a fake photo: -- Petri Krohn (talk) 22:41, 6 August 2013 (UTC)
 * BREAKING NEWS: Fake Photo Exposes Assad Regime Lie about Rebel Massacre in Tal Abyad – Clay Claiborne, August 5, 2013

Rebuttal conversation on twitter:


 * https://twitter.com/Net_News_Global/status/364511494311911426
 * Kurds: Al Alam news of 450 Kurd civs slaughtered by jihadis is false. Truth is 70 Kurd civs killed, 400 kidnapped. http://en.alalam.ir/news/1502236'

Net News Global is a great news aggregator I daily use and the guy who runs it is no bullshitter. Wladimir van Wilgenburg writes for Rudaw and is not without flaws but well-connected (based in NL if i'm not mistaken). The latter tweeted already yesterday: Looks more and more like made-up by Al-Alam
 * https://twitter.com/vvanwilgenburg/status/364503264256995328

--CE (talk) 23:55, 6 August 2013 (UTC)

Spin, comment, and analysis

 * Al-Nusra Mercenaries in Syria Slaughter Kurdish Women and Children – Kurt Nimmo, Infowars.com, 5 August 2013
 * Terrorists affiliated with al-Nusra Front slaughters 120 children in Syria – JOSEPH OWENS, AUGUST 6, 2013

Location
It's a town of 13-14 thousand citizens (says wikipedia with not much more information, the German article has ), and it's directly at the border to Turkey, comparable to the situation in Ras Al-Ayn (I have a tab-group with a bunch of articles open in the browser since at least a week and have yet to write the latest chapter of THAT drama). Here on wikimapia, here on Google Maps. --CE (talk) 20:12, 5 August 2013 (UTC)

It's the site of the autumn 2012 shelling incident that (among others?) led to the Patriot missiles inside Turkey. Here is a long Daily Fail article with a bunch of photos of the Akcakale border crossing and a damaged customs office building in Tal Abayd. --CE (talk) 20:24, 5 August 2013 (UTC)

Older stuff
Mark ‏@markito0171 10:24 AM - 30 Jul 13
 * #Syria #Raqqa 16 PYD members killed in in Tal-Abiad http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.686385&lon=38.942327&z=14&m=b

Patriot missile?
UNCONFIRMED: Patriot missile intercepted a missile west of Tal Abiad on Syria-Turkey border link to twitter.com
 * http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message2312817/pg1
 * https://twitter.com/RamiAlLolah


 * Picked up from someone else yet, extremely tenuous so far. See conversation. --Caustic Logic (talk) 23:05, 5 August 2013 (UTC)

Could be somehow related to this: -- Petri Krohn (talk) 23:40, 5 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Syria: Ballistic Missiles Killing Civilians, Many Children – HRW, August 5, 2013

Meanwhile in Turkey...

 * BREAKING: Turkish P.M.Erdogan Deploys Military Against Protesters (Updated)
 * Fears about violent and bloody clashes in Turkey today, 5 August have increased after Prime Minister R. Tayyip Erdogan and the governor of Istanbul have deployed 6 brigades of military personnel and heavily armed riot police to the protect the prison and court in the city of Silivri.
 * Large amounts of riot police, armed with firearms and so-called rubber-coated ammunition, which is lethal at close range, have been deployed at key positions. The deployment came tonight and during the early morning hours, as Turkey´s opposition has vowed to defy Prime Minister Erdogan´s crackdown, arrests and threats of violence.

-- Petri Krohn (talk) 00:08, 6 August 2013 (UTC)

Rebel attack in Latakia
This seems to be somehow related to the events.
 * Syrian rebels push advance into Assad heartland – F. Najia, 6 August 2013
 * Syrian rebels are pushing toward President Bashar al-Assad's hometown of Qardaha in Latakia province.
 * By Monday, the second day of their surprise offensive in the heartland of Assad's minority Alawite-cum-Shiite sect, the rebels had captured some 11 Alawite villages.
 * The villages include Aramo, 20 kilometers from Qardaha, and Baruda, where the rebels seized visiting Alawite cleric Badreddin Ghazal, a diehard Assad militant.
 * You can see above a photo of Sheikh Ghazal in military fatigue standing alongside Mihraç Ural aka Ali al-Kayyali, the man I dubbed in May “the ethnic cleanser of Banias,” who was also suspected of masterminding the twin Turkish bombings in Reyhanli.

This Facebook post gives a long list of victims (71 killed + 32 kidnapped people):
 * Names of the victims of the massacres which wiped out entire families, committed by #Al_Nusra_Front backed by hundreds of terrorists from ( ‪#‎Baghdad_and_Al_Sham_Islamic_State_Army‬ ) terrorist group against the civillians in 8 villages in the countryside north-eastern city of ‪#‎Latakia‬ and ‪#‎Slenfeh‬.
 * This happened at the dawn of Sunday 4/8/2013:
 * Victims names in village "‪#‎Nabata‬": (13 names)
 * Names of kidnapped people from village "#Nabata": (23 names)
 * Victims names in village "‪#‎Alhmbushiah‬" mostly children: (25 names)
 * Names of kidnapped people from village "#Alhmbushiah" by Al-Nusra Front: (9 names)
 * Victims names in village "‪#‎AlBalouta‬", Where entire families were wiped out: (18 names)
 * Names of the kidnapped people from this village are not known yet.
 * Victims names in village "‪#‎Bermseh‬" (4 names + 8 children)
 * Names of the kidnapped people from this village are not known yet.
 * Victims names in village of "‪#‎Abu_Mecki‬": (3 names)
 * I could not document more information about the fate of this village.
 * Village "‪#‎Aubin‬" was burned by the terrorists and we don't know anything about the civilians fate there, yet.
 * Village "‪#‎Esterbeh‬" close to ‪#‎Salma‬. the civilians escaped but the terrorists occupied the village.

What "connects" the events is this article by Voice of Russia:
 * Syrian rebels have stepped over the red line – 6 August
 * Mass killings of hostages by militants in the Syrian opposition have become their main method of tactical actions in the civil war in Syria.
 * The worst reports came in recent days of the north-east Syria, from the Kurdish areas. About 450 hostages have been killed there. About 120 of them were children, the others were women and the elderly. The hostages were family members of the Kurdish militia, which is leading a fierce battle with the extremists. But terrorist units surrounded the Kurdish areas to the north of Aleppo. About a million people were under siege.

The Swedish language version (and Hungarian) of the story names Alawites as the victims and Badreddin Gazzal as one of the kidnapped:
 * The Islamists' method in Syria resembles increasingly religious and ethnic cleansing. According to Arab TV channels, soldiers from Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic State has about 400 Alawites hostage in the country's northern regions. Women, children and old people have been in the direction of the Turkish border. 80-year-old Badreddin Gazzal, one of the spiritual leaders of Alawites is also among them.

-- Petri Krohn (talk) 01:55, 8 August 2013 (UTC)