Amira Al Hussaini · March, 2011

Latest posts by Amira Al Hussaini from March, 2011

Syria: Egyptian-American Tweep Accused of Spying

Egyptian-American Twitter user Muhammed Radwan (@battuta) was arrested in Syria and paraded on Syrian Television as a spy who is accused of allegedly visiting "Israel in secret and confessed to receiving money from abroad in exchange for sending photos and videos about Syria." His arrest is expected to unleash the wrath of the Egyptian cyberspace against the Assad regime.

Libya: Where is Eman Al Obeidy?

"Where is Eman Al Obeidy?" has become a pressing question, after a distraught Libyan woman burst into a Tripoli hotel full of foreign journalists, telling then that scars and bruises on her face and body has been inflicted by 15 Muammar Gaddafi's militia, who arrested her at a checkpoint for two days, where they gang raped her.

Libya: Gaddafi's Crimes Mount in Misrata

Amid the stories of destruction and the mounting death toll, Libyan netizens are waking up this morning to news of a liberated Zintan and the pushing back of Gaddafi's forces from Ajdabiya. Meanwhile, the world continues to watch as more evidence of horror and atrocities come out from Misrata, which was continuously pounded throughout the night by Gaddafi's forces.

Libya: Is Khamis Gaddafi Really Dead?

Rumours have been circulating online and in mainstream media for about two weeks that Khamis Al Gaddafi, son of Muammar Gaddafi, has been killed. Tonight, the rumours are making the rounds again, with a new twist. They say the 27-year-old militia leader, who runs a brigade which carries his name, was killed during an air raid on Bab Al Aziziya Compound, where the Gaddafis reside in Tripoli. Unconfirmed reports add that his brother Muattasim was killed by Gaddafi for 'refusing to follow' orders.

Yemen: Crowds Call for Saleh to Step Down in Sanaa

Thousands of protesters have gathered in Change Square, in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, to call on President Ali Abdulla Saleh to step down. The protests are going strong in what is being described as The Friday of Departure and the army has reportedly fired gunshots in the air to stop pro-regime protesters from clashing with pro-democracy demonstrators. Here are some reactions from Twitter.

Arab World: The Arab Tyrant Manual

The Arab Tyrant Manual is out, and is being tweeted as I type. On Twitter, Iyad Elbaghdadi is repeating all the excuses we have heard from the governments of Arab countries which have had protests calling for regime change and reforms since the Tunisian uprising at the end of 2010. Although they sound like one liners from a comic strip, they still get support from people on the ground.

Syria: Horror Mounts as 150 Protesters Reportedly Dead in Daraa

Alarming news from Syria has dominated my Twitter timeline, with reports of up to 150 people allegedly killed by security forces in Daraa, in southern Syria, where anti-regime protests continue. Earlier estimates of six people killed as Syrian police attacked Al Omari mosque to disperse protesters are now being questioned, as reports of more doom and gloom start to seep out of the town, where communications, including phone and Internet, have been cut off.

Syria: Protests Continue to Gain Momentum

Monday 21 March, 2011, protests continue in Daraa, in the Syrian south, where five protesters have been reportedly killed yesterday and another one today. While news reports claim that protesters have later on set fire to public buildings, netizens argue that it was the state security forces who have burnt the buildings. Many on Twitter argue that Daraa would be what Sidi Bouzid was for the Tunisians.

Libya: More Threats from Gaddafi as He Speaks Again

Colonel Muammar Al Gaddafi, who spoke on Libyan television again, threatened a long war, said the coalition would be defeated and that his forces would emerge victorious. Tweeps, who tweeted his speech, said Gaddafi, who has ruled Libya for 42 years, also stressed on religion, in a bid to gain sympathy from Muslims around the world.

Libya: Gaddafi Threatens as Coalition Starts Air Strikes

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi spoke for three minutes on the phone, in a call which was just broadcast by Libyan State Television, threatening countries around the Mediterranean Basin, and calling for help from Africans and South Americans. His speech comes as a coalition made up of the US and France, among others, have started air strikes against his forces.

Libya: Air Strikes on Libya Begin

Air strikes on Libya, aimed at crippling Muammar Gaddafi's air defenses, just started, receiving mixed reactions from people around the world. A coalition made up of the US, France, Italy, Canada and the US have been formed for the offensive to uproot Gaddafi, whose people have called for his ousting since popular uprisings started in the country on February 16.

Saudi Arabia: King Promises Saudis More Money

More money was promised to Saudis today, following an address by King Abdulla to the nation. In a short address, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques thanked clerics, writers and the Ministry of Interior for their efforts in defending the kingdom. Announcements and decrees then followed that billions would be dished out on Saudis.