As rockets hit Homs, Wikileaks releases documents on Syrian conflict and regime

Wikileaks is releasing what it described as a massive trove of documents related to the conflict in Syria. Speaking at London’s Frontline Club, Wikileaks project analyst Sarah Harrison said the documents consist of more than two million emails from political figures, ministries and companies doing business with the Syrian government.

“The Syria files shine a light on the inner workings of the Syrian government and the economy but they also shine a light on how the West and Western companies say one thing and do another. The range of information extends from the intimate correspondence of the Baath party figures to financial transfers sent from Syrian ministries to other nations.”

For example, some of the documents made public today show that a company, called Selex, which is a leading provider of technology to Western powers, continued to sell communication technology to the Syrian regime through this year. According to the company’s website, Selex is based in Genoa, Italy and provides radio equipment to US Army National Guard troops along the US-Mexico border and to US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Wikileaks said the documents, which span a period between August 2006 to March 2012, are being shared with the Associated Press, Al Akhbar in Lebanon, Owni in France and others. Only a couple dozen documents were released today, but more are expected in the coming week.

Attacks continued on the ground in Syria today, including in Homs where activists say vital medical and humanitarian assistance remains blocked from much of the area. For more on that and other updates, we go to Sipan Hassan, spokesperson with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

(Audio of FSRN segment & interview available here)