Avaaz: Syrian Ceasefire Tracking (April 12, 2012)

As of 02:00 of April 12, citizen journalists report a compliance with the ceasefire and a cessation of hostilities from all sides.

A citizen journalist reported from the city centre of Homs: "There is complete silence all around. No gunfire, no shelling."

5:50-6:20 - Citizen journalists report half an hour of shelling in the neighbourhood of Sakh Bakeen in Al Zalah in Zabadani and Al Barada Street. Cessation of hostilities has been upheld since 06:20.

One citizen journalist described the shelling as intense: "houses in our area were shaken to their very core, so it must have been tank fire". A total of 5 explosions were reported.

Tanks are still deployed within the town centre in Zabadani.

Three shells landed in Jabal Shabshabo, a mountain between Qalaat Al Madiq in Hama and Jabal Al Zawiyeh. Three shells landed on the mountain at 6:30 this morning. The mountain stretches across both the Hama and the Idlib governorates. The shells fell within the Hama governorate.

Gunfire is heard at 6:25 and 7:36 near the centre of Homs. The source of the gunfire is unconfirmed.

Three shells landed on the mountain of Jabal Shahshabo at 6:30 this morning. The mountain stretches across both the Hama and the Idlib governorates, lying between Qalaat Al Madiq in Hama and Jabal Al Zawiyeh. The shells fell within the Hama governorate.

Calm reported in the towns of Eastern Ghouta, the area comprising Saqba, Hamoryah, Arbeen, and Jisreen. Tanks and heavy artillery are still deployed.

Abu Wissam from Saqba said: "The tanks are still in their place. They've placed sandbags in front of the tanks, piled so high that you annot see the tanks behind them. But it's been completely quiet. There is a cessation of hostilities but no withdrawal."

Calm is reported in Al Qamishli, Hasakah.There is no army presence to report. Tanks and heavy artillery had not been deployed in Qamishli.

Security forces maintain presence, patrolling the main streets and squares of the city.

Abu Judi from Qamishli said: "We pray the ceasefire lasts."

Ceasefire reported to be holding in Deir Ezzor.

Evidence of army deployment within the city centre was released yesterday afternoon. The Deir Ezzor Local Coordination Committee has reported that army tanks are still deployed within the city centre.

An independent source claimed that the tanks had begun moving but citizen journalists had not been able to go out and confirm their whereabouts.

Avaaz has not been able to confirm either report.

Quiet reported across Hama as of 02:30 local time. 20 tanks were shelling the area of Sahel al Ghab up to 02:30.

A citizen journalist has reported to Avaaz that those 20 tanks are still stationed in the same area they were shelling from. Their exact location has not been pin-pointed,

Activists release a video of tanks still stationed in the hills of Zabadani.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB3MulbsKnk&feature=youtu.be

They report that there seems to be no intention to withdraw.

A total of approximately 80 tanks are stationed in the area of Sahel Ghab. They are stationed in the following villages: Al Sqalbiyeh, Al Ankawi, Al Rasif, Kfar Nabouda, Ain Al Taqa, Al Ziyara, Tal Waset, Qastoon, Hialin, and Al Sharia.

More than half the tanks are T52 or T72 tanks. BTR armoured vehicles are also deployed.

A citizen journalist reported that in Qalaat Al Madiq at 06:30 this morning, 3 shells fell on on Jabal Shahshabo, in the north of Qalaat Al Madiq.

Abu Zafer: "In Qalaat Al Madiq, tanks are still stationed in the same posiition. They are stationed in Qalaat Al Madiq, a large fortress."

Abu Rami: "There has been no shooting and no shelling since 04:00 this morning. At the same time however, there does not seem to be any intention on the part of the army to withdraw from the city. The checkpoints are still standing. Heavy artillery is still present and pointed at civilian areas. Security forces and army troops are still deployed around the city. Snipers are still deployed."

"The residents are happy about the ceasefire and hope that it will continue but they are pessimistic. We will have to see."

Shells fell on Hama Road at 8:47 local time. The shells originated from the Paint Fctory on Mimas Road, close to the entrance of the neighbourhood of Al Waer.

At 9:05, three more rounds of gunfire were heard by a citizen journalist in Khaldiyeh, reportedly coming from Tareeq Hama, close to where the shells had fallen.

Heavy machine gunfire can be heard in Idlib city, coming from the direction of the Farmers' Station.

5 tanks and 3 armoured vehicles are deployed to Tal Rifaat, a residential town in the suburbs of Aleppo. Their point of origin is unclear.

Sniper shoots at pedestrian on Hama Road in Homs. Pedestrian sustains wound to the leg.

Citizen journalists report sound of more sniper fire on Hama Road, which is close to Homs city centre.

Civilian Adnan Aboud is shot dead by a sniper in the town of Al Naemeh, near Daraa.

Footage emerges of violent shelling in Al Qarabees, in central Homs. Uploaders claim that T72 tanks are being used in the shelling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9rJlorZV7M