"What is a barrel bomb"? - Assad's Weapon of Terror

Dr Farouq Habib came to Ireland at the invitation of the Irish Syria Solidarity Movement to talk about the horrific and unimaginable cruelty faced by Syrian civilians on a daily basis, especially from President Assad's barrel bombing campaign against his own people. Uniquely able to speak about their suffering as a spokesperson for the 'White Helmets' the independent, non-violent and all volunteer search and rescue service that has already saved more than a staggering 25,000 lives. A banker before Syria's revolution, he now works with Mayday Rescue which actively supports the White Helmets - the only independent search and rescue service operating outside government controlled areas. Made up of approximately 2,700 women and men - all volunteers - the White Helmets put their lives on the line everyday they go to help their fellow Syrians especially hen they seek to deal with barrel bombings especially because of the way in which Assad's forces also bomb the same area twice in their attempts to kill rescue workers and surviving civilians. Dr Habib spoke very movingly about incredible courage of the White Helmets who in the minutes between the two bomb attacks always try to rescue survivors from the first attack - and sometimes are caught unable to escape in time.

One of the people who came to hear Farouq - a representative of the Dublin Fire Service - was shocked at the way Assad's forces attack impartial search and rescue workers like the White Helmets, so many of whom have been murdered working with incredible courage to save their fellow Syrians.

Dr Habib is in no doubt that Assad's barrel bombing is the main reason so many civilians are fleeing Syria. Indeed, the "double attack" strategy aimed at killing surviving civilians and rescue workers makes this indiscriminate weapon one of the most lethal terror weapons in Assad's arsenal. Barrel bombs in addition to causing mass civilian deaths also inflict horrific injuries on civilians stuffed with nails, shrapnel and sharp metal pieces.

Anne Daly, Esperanza co-founder, spoke to Farouq before a public meeting after he addressed politicians at a meeting of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee.

Esperanza Productions was co-founded by award winning documentary filmmakers Ronan Tynan and Anne Daly.

web: www.esperanza.ie

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