You are in the 225th 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
SYRIA
Martyr Rawhi AlNaddaf Tortured to Death
(08-09-11) #Zamalka #Damascus #Syria | Martyr Rawhi AlNaddaf, whose father is an imam, was tortured to death by #Bashar 's forces within four hours. His father wants all to see what has been done to his son. To the highest heavens ...... The #Baath regime has no humanity. #Freedom #Assad
Bab Hood | Homs | Amazing chants - Victory is Near - Free Syria
Syrian victims are screaming for your help. Will you answer?
The will of a severely wounded Syrian demonstrator, Kanaker Damascus, 27 Jul, 2011
The will of a severely wounded #Syrian demonstrator, #Kanaker #Damascus, 27 Jul, 2011
NOTE: The original video says the demonstrator died an hour later to recording this clip. Mildly graphic.
YEMEN
News of the Yemeni Revolution
Martyr Salah Abdullah Ali Al-Johari was shot by Republican Guard forces in his heart this morning in Hawd Al-Ashraf district in Taiz while he was driving an SUV with his father Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Johri and five of his sisters children. #yemen #yf
Mass march in Taiz demanding the formation of a transitional council. #yemen #yf 2
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 8/4)-Arab Youth Still Want Change, But Won't Be Politicians
Slim Amamou knew he would be arrested after a group of cyberactivists shut down the Tunisian government’s official website. As protests against longtime autocrat Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali raged on the streets in January, security forces yanked the 33-year-old computer programmer from his office. Even during his secret interrogation, thousands of people knew where the dissident blogger with long, straggling hair and thick, black glasses was being held. Amamou was handcuffed, but his cell phone, armed with Google Latitude, relayed his location: the Interior Ministry
(h/t Dibsa 8/4)-North African women press for freedom, rights and dignity
CAIRO, EGYPT: Arab women have shown that women can play important roles in revolutionary events. In Egypt and Tunisia they participated in the popular uprisings for democracy. “The women contributed equally to the revolution, like the men,” affirms Emna Ben Jemaa, a Tunisian lecturer and journalist. “We took part in protests in the street, without any discrimination against us.”
ALGERIA
(h/t Dibsa 8/3) - Algeria boosts grain imports to prevent social uprising during Ramadan
Global Arab Network - Faced with crumbling regimes across the Arab world, Algeria has dramatically boosted its grain imports to contain social unrest during Ramadan, when food prices traditionally shoot up
(h/t Dibsa 7/29) -
Algerian Exceptionalism and the Arab Spring
With all the turmoil prevailing in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) this year, news of turmoil from Algeria has been strangely infrequent. In the context of what is now looking to be a 'perpetual' Arab Spring, the headline 'Fresh Wave of Violence Kills Six in Algeria' conjures up images of clashes between Algerian armed forces and protestors
BAHRAIN
(h/t Dibsa 8/5) - Jurist: Bahrain inquiry serious, political split grave
DUBAI (Reuters) - Bahrain is cooperating with an investigation into anti-government protests it crushed but that will do little do resolve the sectarian political tensions behind the unrest, according to the head of the inquiry
(h/t Dibsa 8/5) - Bahrain Welcomes NGOs to Monitor Upcoming Elections
MANAMA, Bahrain, Aug. 5, 2011 -- PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Non-governmental organizations will be permitted to monitor Bahrain's upcoming parliamentary special election in September, the Kingdom's justice minister said
COTE D'IVOIRE
(h/t Dibsa 8/5) - UN Official to Meet Deposed Ivory Coast President
A senior United Nations official says he will meet with former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo for an update on his treatment in detention
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 8/5) - Tantawi 'may testify' at Mubarak trial if asked
CAIRO (AFP) - Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, Egypt's military ruler, will most likely testify in the trial of former president Hosni Mubarak if summoned after a request by the defence, a security official said Thursday
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."
(h/t Dibsa 7/29) -
Amnesty urges Iran to free US hikers
Amnesty on Friday renewed calls for Iran to release two young US hikers held on spying charges since July 2009, two days ahead of a fresh hearing in their case
IRAQ
(h/t Dibsa 8/5) - Iraqi security forces harassing media: watchdog
Iraqi security forces are harassing journalists, especially television crews, media rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said on Thursday, calling for such actions to stop.
"Reporters Without Borders is concerned about repeated harassment of media personnel, especial TV crews, by the Iraqi security forces," a statement said
ISRAEL
(h/t Dibsa 8/4 ) - Israelis protest against high cost of living
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, is facing his biggest domestic crisis since taking office more than two years ago as tens of thousands of Israelis have joined a growing protest movement against the high cost of living in the country
(h/t Dibsa 8/4 ) - Israeli activists call for mass Saturday protests
Representatives of Israel's growing social protest movement have called for massive demonstrations on Saturday night to press their calls for a reduction in the cost of living
(h/t Dibsa 8/1 ) -
The tent protest: neither social justice, nor revolution
The popular, mass protests here that began as a cry of rage against housing prices have evolved admirably into a public outcry against a slew of deep-rooted problems in Israeli social and economic life. Visiting the tent camps early every day, we’ve watched the protest grow from a motley band of wishful Woodstockers at the tip of Rothschild Boulevard two weeks ago, to a sort of mini-metropolis spreading close to the end of the road. There’s a first aid tent courtesy of Physicians for Human Rights, “Settle the Negev and the Galil” tents, ideological discussions, guitar and drum sing-alongs, Kabalat Shabbat, Friday night dinner, outdoor films about revolutionary themes, families with babies, and endlessly creative slogans
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 JustJennifer 7/7)-Lebanon parliament backs cabinet as opposition boycotts
Lebanon's new government has won a parliamentary vote of confidence, after a heated debate over an international tribunal investigating the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
LIBYA
(h/t Dibsa 8/5) - Libyan government denies death of Gadhafi son
BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) — The Libyan government on Friday denied rebel reports that Moammar Gadhafi's youngest son was killed in a NATO airstrike on a front-line town in western Libya
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 6/16) - Mauritania opposition says October vote not possible
NOUAKCHOTT — A Mauritanian opposition leader said Wednesday elections due in October could not go ahead without reforms, accusing President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz's government of abuse of power
MOROCCO
(h/t Dibsa 8/5 ) - Early Moroccan polls a bid to stave off protests
MOROCCO’S King Mohammed is pushing for early polls to hasten reforms he has initiated but this alone is unlikely to satisfy critics without serious steps to curb corruption and to give the next assembly teeth
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 8/4 ) - Palestinians 'moving ahead' with UN bid: Erakat
Palestinians are determined to go ahead with their UN membership bid as an Arab League follow-up committee endorsed a final draft of the request to be presented to the UN General Assembly, a top official said
SAUDI ARABIA
(h/t Dibsa 8/2) - Rights group urges Saudi monarch to scrap terror law
Human Rights Watch urged the Saudi monarch on Tuesday to rescind a counterterrorism bill which it says will infringe on basic rights and lump peaceful opposition together with violence
SYRIA
(h/t Dibsa 8/5) - At least 10 dead in Ramadan protests in Syria
DAMASCUS (AFP) - At least 10 people were shot dead as thousands of Syrians took to the streets to rally against President Bashar al-Assad on the first Friday of Ramadan in support of the protest hub of Hama, activists said
(h/t Dibsa 8/5) - US, Russia have strong words for Syria's Assad
DAMASCUS (AFP) - The United States and Russia had harsh words for embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday, a day after the UN Security Council condemned his deadly crackdown on anti-regime demonstrators
TUNISIA
(h/t Dibsa 8/5) - Tunisia imposes curfew after unrest
TUNIS — Tunisian authorities have imposed a curfew in the southeastern region of Sfax following clashes between villagers, sources said Friday
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
(h/t Dibsa 7/18) - U.A.E. court hears testimony against 5 reform activists
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Prosecutors in the United Arab Emirates questioned two witnesses Monday in the trial of five political activists who campaigned for democratic reforms in the Gulf nation and are accused of anti-state crimes, a court official said
(h/t Dibsa 7/11 ) - UAE expands electoral colleges
The United Arab Emirates has expanded the number of electoral colleges which elect half of the members of the 40-strong Federal National Council, a local newspaper reported on Monday
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 8/4) - Latest word from Yemen's ill president doesn't allay tensions
SANAA, Yemen -- When Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh left for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia on June 5 after suffering severe injuries in a bomb attack on his compound, many in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula nation breathed a sigh of relief/blockquote>
(h/t Dibsa 8/4) - Crisis reigns in Yemen as Saleh clings to power
SANAA, Yemen • When Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh left for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia on June 5 after suffering severe injuries in a bomb attack on his compound, many in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula nation breathed a sigh of relief
(h/t Dibsa 8/2) - Yemen's defectors
A number of Yemeni soldiers have defected to join sides with anti-regime protesters seeking to end president Ali Abdullah Saleh's 33-year rule
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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