Homs in grief after 'eye of truth' dies
December 30, 2011 -- Updated 2103 GMT (0503 HKT)
Syrian citizen journalist Basil al Sayid was reportedly shot and killed by Syrian security forces in Homs.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Al Sayid recorded videos of checkpoints and snipers
- A carpenter by training, he repaired houses during the siege
- A sniper shot and killed the videographer
- Unlike many activists, he never joined a political party
Now, the city is mourning a man some call the "eye of truth."
"He was a very brave young man and he wanted to specialize in a certain angle of the revolution," said Omar Shakir, a pseudonym for a close friend and colleague in Baba Amr, a Homs neighborhood at the center of anti-government ferment. "He chose to be a videographer because he was courageous. The minute you hold a camera you are a target for snipers."
Amateur video has been a weapon of choice for activists confronting the Bashar al-Assad regime.
Since the anti-regime uprising began percolating in March, they've gotten the message out of Syria about the government's crackdown every day with graphic videos. The videos contain sights of violence and piercing voice-overs from narrators.
Syrian civilians face fight for supplies 
Syria's 'Eye of Truth' shot dead 
Syrian army defectors defend Homs 
Exclusive: Government snipers prowl Homs 
A Free Syrian Army checkpoint is pictured in the liberated quarter of Baba Amr in Homs. All photos taken between December 15 and 20 with an iPhone 4S using the Hipstamatic app.
A Free Syrian Army checkpoint is pictured in the liberated quarter of Baba Amr in Homs. All photos taken between December 15 and 20 with an iPhone 4S using the Hipstamatic app. A Free Syrian Army street checkpoint is pictured in the liberated quarter of Baba Amr in Homs.
A Free Syrian Army street checkpoint is pictured in the liberated quarter of Baba Amr in Homs. A Free Syrian Army street checkpoint is pictured in the liberated quarter of Baba Amr in Homs.
A Free Syrian Army street checkpoint is pictured in the liberated quarter of Baba Amr in Homs. A Friday demonstration takes place in Baba Amr in Homs.
A Friday demonstration takes place in Baba Amr in Homs. A Friday demonstration takes place in Baba Amr in Homs.
A Friday demonstration takes place in Baba Amr in Homs. A demonstration takes place in Baba Amr in Homs.
A demonstration takes place in Baba Amr in Homs. A Free Syrian Army checkpoint is pictured in the liberated quarter of Baba Amr in Homs.
A Free Syrian Army checkpoint is pictured in the liberated quarter of Baba Amr in Homs. A wrecked bus lies abandoned in Baba Amr in Homs.
A wrecked bus lies abandoned in Baba Amr in Homs. Army defectors, members of the Free Syrian Army, pictured during an exchange of fire in Baba Amr.
Army defectors, members of the Free Syrian Army, pictured during an exchange of fire in Baba Amr. A funeral procession takes place in Dar Kabir for "Malik," killed by government forces.
A funeral procession takes place in Dar Kabir for "Malik," killed by government forces. A funeral procession takes place in Dar Kabir in Homs for "Malik," who was killed by government forces.
A funeral procession takes place in Dar Kabir in Homs for "Malik," who was killed by government forces. A funeral procession takes place in Dar Kabir, Homs, for "Malik," killed by government forces. His younger brother holds a photograph of Malik in his hands.
A funeral procession takes place in Dar Kabir, Homs, for "Malik," killed by government forces. His younger brother holds a photograph of Malik in his hands. A funeral procession takes place in Dar Kabir for "Malik," killed by government forces.
A funeral procession takes place in Dar Kabir for "Malik," killed by government forces. Despite the threat from snipers, a family makes its way down Cairo Street in Al Khaledia in Homs, Syria.
Despite the threat from snipers, a family makes its way down Cairo Street in Al Khaledia in Homs, Syria. Residents from the Al Khaledia suburb surround a coffin in Khaledia, Homs.
Residents from the Al Khaledia suburb surround a coffin in Khaledia, Homs. An old man prays at a night demonstration in the Al Khaledia neighborhood in Homs, Syria
An old man prays at a night demonstration in the Al Khaledia neighborhood in Homs, Syria The remains of a resident from the Al Khaledia suburb lie in a coffin, Khaledia, Homs.
The remains of a resident from the Al Khaledia suburb lie in a coffin, Khaledia, Homs. Warning: Multiple graphic images
HIDE CAPTION
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Defiance, death in Homs (Part 1) The 24-year-old captured chilling scenes, and Baba Amr residents came to recognize his emphatic voice on the narration. Homs, Syria's third-largest city, has become an epicenter of the uprising and a symbol of resistance.
"He was truly the eye of truth," Shakir said. "Thousands of people saw the truth through his camera lens. We divided the neighborhood of Baba Amr into ten sections and each cameraman would be responsible for filming one of the sections. He had one of the most dangerous areas. He would film checkpoints, military movements, and snipers on the roof."
Al Sayid died on Tuesday after he was shot and wounded last week. His final video was a clip of the moments around the time the young activist was hit.
"He was at a shabiha checkpoint when Syrian security forces began firing randomly on civilian areas and local shops," his cousin told CNN, referring to pro-regime militias.
"He wanted to get a closer shot to prove the military was shelling and shooting with impunity, and he did not see there was a sniper above the roof. He was shot in the head," said the source, who didn't want to be named for security reasons.
Another video surfaced showing his mother and relatives mourning over his corpse in a body bag.
"May God take revenge upon you Bashar," a voice on the video said, referring to Syria's president.
A carpenter by training, al Sayid volunteered his services to citizens during the government crackdown. He fixed damaged homes and transported medical equipment for wounded demonstrators on his motorcycle.
"He was a very brave man and a true hero. He loved only good things for people. Basil would participate in every demonstration and would always help the wounded. Despite the risks, he would help transport food staples and deliver bread to families in need." his cousin said.
Al Sayid cooperated with dozens of opposition groups during the Homs siege. Unlike many activists, he never became a member of a political party.
"He wanted his work to be only for God and not for any political group or agenda. He would always tell me there are only two options for us martyrdom or victory," his cousin told CNN.
The Syrian government was not immediately available for comment
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น