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Syrian rebels captured a hydroelectric dam yesterday near the town of Manbij. The Tishrin Dam supplies power to many parts of Syria and is considered a strategic victory for the rebels. Other recent successes also include a rebel takeover of a military airbase in Marj al-Sultan after clashes on Saturday. Two helicopters were destroyed along with several other government vehicles.

Opposition forces throughout the country organized earlier this month as a result of meetings in Qatar into a new collective force known as the Syrian National Coalition. This group is made up of the Free Syrian Army, the National Syrian Army and others. In a blow to Bashar Al Assad’s regime, the European Union quickly recognized the Syrian National Coalition as “legitimate representatives of the aspirations of the Syrian people.”

France has pledged $1.5 million dollars to the Free Syrian Army, with Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius declaring, “The humanitarian situation in Syria is deteriorating. It is imperative that the international community act.” However, Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev criticized the act, labeling it “completely unacceptable in international law.”

Propublica has released flight records that suggest that funds had been transferred from Russia to Syria dating from July 9th to September 15th of this year. Both Russia and Syria have not commented on this claim. The flight records show 30 tons of bank-notes traveling to Damascus International Airport from Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport.

Last September, the European Union imposed sanctions on Syria, prohibiting its countries from minting currency for Syria. However, this past June, Reuters reported that Russia had started printing Syrian currency. The Syrian Central Bank explained it was to replace old and damaged bank notes.

The war in Syria has been one of the most devastating in recent months in the Arab world. The British-based, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims that 40,000 civilians have been killed and 380,000 have fled since protests began 20 months ago.

GUESTS: Jihad “Jay” Abdo, well known Syrian film, television and theater actor, active in a number of non-profits organizations, Fadia Afashe is an artist and a women’s rights activist from Damascus, Syria

Two screenings of the documentary, The Suffering Grasses will be held on Nov 29 2012 7:30pm – 9:00pm
& Dec 6 2012 7:30pm – 9:00pm.
WHERE: Levantine Cultural Center, 5998 W. Pico Blvd., LA 90035, street parking.
PRICE: $7/$5 students, Levantine café open
INFO/RSVPs: Levantine Cultural Center, 323.413.2001, online at www.levantinecenter.org.

At the November 29th screening, there will be a panel discussion featuring Jihad Abdo & Fadia Afashe, Syrian Exiles.