http://news.linktv.org Link TV News Videos (Filtered by topics: Civil war) en-us Fri, 11 Jan 2013 05:22:00 -0800 Copyright 2011 Link Media, Inc. http://news.linktv.org/videos/talkin-bout-a-revolution-us-fringe-groups-on-the-rise?start=0 The number of self-styled patriots calling for radical change and ready to fight for it is on the rise, from Tea Partiers to militias with plenty of conspiracy theorists in between. Vice Magazine takes a look inside the "second American Revolution." <br /> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 05:22:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/talkin-bout-a-revolution-us-fringe-groups-on-the-rise Conspiracy theory, Tea Party, Alex Jones (radio host), Militia, United States, Domestic terrorism in the United States, Civil war, US Department of Homeland Security, Vice (magazine) The number of self-styled patriots calling for radical change and ready to fight for it is on the rise, from Tea Partiers to militias with plenty of conspiracy theorists in between. Vice Magazine takes a look inside the "second American Revolution." http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-101-whats-behind-the-conflict?start=0 Syria has become the bloodiest uprising of the Arab Spring and has now descended into a full-blown civil war. Find out what's behind the conflict and what's at stake for the international community. Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:25:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-101-whats-behind-the-conflict Syria, Syrian Civil War, Bashar al-Assad, Free Syrian Army, Sunni Islam, Alawite, Iran-Syria relations, Civil war, UN Security Council, Demography of Syria Syria has become the bloodiest uprising of the Arab Spring and has now descended into a full-blown civil war. Find out what's behind the conflict and what's at stake for the international community. http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-july-16-2012?start=89 A new US government report finds much of the American taxpayer money used for Iraq's reconstruction has likely been squandered. And at the Green Party's 2012 National Convention in Baltimore over the weekend, keynote speaker Gar Alperovitz made the case for third-party politics to challenge a corporate-run society. Plus headlines, and more.<br /> Mon, 16 Jul 2012 12:44:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-july-16-2012 Iraq War, US-Iraq relations, United States, Iraq, Syrian Civil War, Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, Green Party (United States), Syria, Oil reserves in Iraq, Gar Alperovitz The Syrian capital of Damascus is seeing some its heaviest fighting to date since the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad erupted over a year ago. Heavy weaponry including tanks and mortar fire has reportedly been used in areas to the city's south. The intensified clashes have prompted the International Committee of the Red Cross to join the United Nations in describing the conflict in Syria as a "civil war." The Red Cross had previously kept its assessment to a handful of flashpoint areas but now says the violence is nationwide. The U.N. observer mission has confirmed heavy weaponry was used last week in the village of Tremseh, where pro-Assad forces were accused of massacring more than 100 civilians. U.N. spokesperson Sausan Ghosheh announced the observers' findings earlier today. Sausan Ghosheh: "In this attack there was a use of heavy weapons on population centers. Our, our observers confirmed the use of direct and indirect weapons including artillery, mortar shells and small arms. And the count of 27 eye witnesses that we interviewed, the consistent account all indicated that the attack started at five o'clock in the morning by shelling and then ground forces went in." The Assad regime has denied carrying out a massacre in Tremseh, claiming it killed it anti-government rebels. Annan in Russia as U.S. Calls for New Security Council Pressure on Syria The U.N.-Arab League peace envoy Kofi Annan is headed to Moscow for talks on a new Security Council response to the ongoing violence in Syria. Speaking during a visit to Lebanon, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns called for new pressure on the Assad regime. William Burns: "We need to act now through a new U.N. Security Council resolution in New York, which carries consequences for the Syrian regime's continuing and violent non-compliance with its obligation. It is long past time to begin a democratic transition to a post-Assad Syria, to a future that reflects the legitimate aspirations of the brave and determined Syrian people." http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-071612?start=418 <p>Israel starts "pilot" prison visits from Gaza relatives for first time in seven years, Lavrov accuses West of blackmailing Russia over Syria, anti-NATO sentiment continues to grow in Pakistan, and more.</p> Mon, 16 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-071612 Syrian Civil War, International Red Cross, Israel, Hillary Clinton, Syria, Palestinian prisoners in Israel, US-Israel relations, Human rights in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain Uprising, US-Pakistan relations Presenter, Male #1 Syria's Local Coordination Committees said 44 civilians were killed today by Syrian security forces in different cities. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights clarified that clashes are taking place in some regions and neighborhoods in Damascus, especially in al-Midan, where armored vehicles were deployed for the first time. On the other hand, the official Syrian news agency SANA said government forces caused losses within the ranks of a terrorist group in Deir az-Zour. Reporter, Male #2 Syrian television said it was providing this live coverage from the neighborhood of al-Midan in Damascus. The neighborhood looks deserted amid the presence of security forces. The government's television and the regime's supporters accuse the media of fabricating the news. They say the shelling of the neighborhoods of the city of Damascus that was reported by sources of the opposition's activists never happened. Reporter, Male #2 According to Syria's official news agency SANA, a group of gunmen fled the neighborhood of al-Tadamon on Sunday, and security forces chased them. Of course, the official story has generally stayed the same over the long months of the uprising. The official media's accusation that malicious satellite TV channels are partly responsible for Syrian bloodshed is a chorus repeated by the regime's supporters. Reporter, Male #2 In this framework, Syrian media spoke of the coverage of the unconfirmed defection of General Rustom Ghazaleh, a leader in the Syrian military intelligence. Syrian channel al-Dunya reported that Ghazaleh was quick to confirm his loyalty to the political leadership, and denied that some of his family members sought refuge in Jordan. Activists had posted clips online saying they depict al-Ghazaleh's brother-in-law. Reporter, Male #2 The Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman's version of the story on the events in al-Tremseh in Hama's countryside, and specifically in relation to the use of heavy weapons, was contradicted by the international observers' delegation. Guest, Female #1 (Sausan Ghosheh, Spokeswoman for UN Mission in Syria) In this attack, there was use of heavy weapons on residential areas. The observers confirmed that weapons were used directly and indirectly, including artillery and mortars. Reporter, Male #2 The opposition accused government forces of using heavy weapons to target neighborhoods in the city of Hama on Monday. They posted images online to confirm their claim. Reporter, Male #2 Clashes were reportedly ongoing between the opposition's fighters and government forces in some parts of the capital amid an intensive security deployment in many parts of the countryside of Damascus. The bombardment and clashes also reached the cities and towns of Homs, Idlib, Deir az-Zour, and Daraa provinces. Guest, Male #3 (Firas Hurani, High Revolutionary Military Council in Daraa) A group of honorable members and soldiers manning a checkpoint in the city of Sheikh Meskeen defected last night. Reporter, Male #2 The crisis in Syria is a civil war and a "non-international armed conflict," according to the International Committee of the Red Cross that made that same statement during the third month of the Libyan uprising. Reporter, Male #2 The scale and expansion of the clashes discussed by the committee will not be prevented with the continued protests in some parts of the country. Many participants have announced their support for the armed option to confront what they consider the violence of the authorities. Wael al-Hajjar, BBC. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-in-state-of-war-as-gunmen-storm-pro-government-tv-channel?start=0 Gunmen have stormed a pro-government TV channel just a few miles south of Damascus, shortly after President Bashar al-Assad told a meeting of his new cabinet that Syria is "in a state of real war from all angles." Wed, 27 Jun 2012 07:06:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-in-state-of-war-as-gunmen-storm-pro-government-tv-channel Bashar al-Assad, Syrian Civil War, Syria, Al-Ikhbariya, Civil war, Damascus, Free Syrian Army, Television channel, Cabinet (government), Media of Syria Gunmen have stormed a pro-government TV channel just a few miles south of Damascus, killing three employees. State media says explosives were planted in the headquarters of al-Ikhbariya, destroying the station's studios and newsroom. Meanwhile, President Bashar al-Assad has told a meeting of his new cabinet that Syria is "in a state of real war from all angles," and pledged to use every resource at his disposal to win the conflict. http://news.linktv.org/videos/turkey-hints-at-military-action-over-syria?start=0 Following the failure of UN envoy Kofi Annan's six-point peace plan, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has suggested alternative routes forward, including military intervention. Thu, 21 Jun 2012 19:06:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/turkey-hints-at-military-action-over-syria Syrian Civil War, Syria-Turkey relations, Ahmet Davutoglu, Syria, Turkey, Kofi Annan peace plan for Syria, UN Security Council, Vladimir Putin, Politics of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Following the failure of UN envoy Kofi Annan's six-point peace plan, the United Nations and Western countries are looking at "the next step" in dealing with the crisis in Syria. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has suggested alternative routes forward, including military intervention, which could be considered if diplomacy doesn't offer any resolution. http://news.linktv.org/videos/car-bomb-hits-damascus-suburb-fighting-escalates-across-syria?start=0 UN monitors in Syria have been inspecting the site of a suicide car bombing near Damascus. Meanwhile, activists say the government's bombing campaign continues in Homs and Deir az-Zour as fighting escalates in areas across the country. Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:28:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/car-bomb-hits-damascus-suburb-fighting-escalates-across-syria Car bomb, Syria, Syrian Civil War, Suicide attack, Homs, Deir az-Zour, Civil war, Laurent Fabius, Damascus, Free Syrian Army United Nations monitors in Syria have been inspecting the site of a suicide car bombing near Damascus. Meanwhile, activists say the government's bombing campaign continues in Homs and Deir az-Zour as fighting escalates in areas across the country. Al Jazeera's Jane Arraf reports. ---- Security officials inspect the site where a car bomb exploded in front of the gold-domed Shi'ite shrine of Sayyida Zeinab in southern Damascus, June 14, 2012. A car bomb exploded in a car park in southern Damascus, near the gold-domed Shi'ite shrine of Sayyida Zeinab, activists and state media said. The powerful blast caused a deep crater in the tarmac and wrecked several buses, smashing windows of cars across a wide area. http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-june-13-2012?start=0 Has a full-blown civil war broken out in Syria? Hervé Ladsous, UN under-secretary general for peacekeeping operations, thinks so. And more US soldiers have died this year through suicide than on the battlefield. Plus headlines, and more. Wed, 13 Jun 2012 11:21:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-june-13-2012 Syria, Syrian Civil War, Civil war, United Nations, Iraq, US Armed Forces, Iraq War, Baghdad, Afghanistan War, Hervé Ladsous Has a full-blown civil war broken out in Syria? Hervé Ladsous, the UN under-secretary general for peacekeeping operations, became the first senior UN official to make the assertion on Tuesday. And more US soldiers have died this year by taking their own lives than on the battlefield, with at least 154 suicides among active-duty troops in 2012. Plus headlines, and more. http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-june-13-2012?start=738 Has a full-blown civil war broken out in Syria? Hervé Ladsous, the UN under-secretary general for peacekeeping operations, became the first senior UN official to make the assertion on Tuesday amid worsening violence across the country. Wed, 13 Jun 2012 11:21:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-june-13-2012 Syria, Syrian Civil War, Civil war, United Nations, Iraq, US Armed Forces, Iraq War, Baghdad, Afghanistan War, Hervé Ladsous Has a full-blown civil war broken out in Syria? Hervé Ladsous, the UN under-secretary general for peacekeeping operations, became the first senior UN official to make the assertion on Tuesday amid worsening violence across the country. The U.S. meanwhile is accusing Russia of arming the Syrian military while Saudi Arabia and Qatar are sending anti-tank missiles to the Syrian opposition through Turkey with the Obama administration's backing. We host a debate between Syrian opposition activist Rafif Jouejati and longtime Middle East journalist Patrick Seale. A top United Nations official said Tuesday the uprising in Syria has grown into a full-scale civil war. Hervé Ladsous, the UN under-secretary general for peacekeeping operations, said, quote, "Clearly what is happening is that the government of Syria lost some large chunks of territory in several cities to the opposition and wants to retake control of these areas." This marks the first time a senior UN official has declared Syria's conflict a civil war. The International Committee of the Red Cross said the situation is worsening in several parts of the country simultaneously. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 51 civilians as well as 12 soldiers were killed on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Turkey is reporting more than 2,000 Syrians have fled across the border in the last 48 hours. This comes as more reports emerge that both the Syrian military and opposition rebels are receiving heavy arms from outside supporters. On Tuesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused Russia of aiding the president—the government of President Bashar al-Assad. SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON: We have confronted the Russians about stopping their continued arms shipments to Syria. They have, from time to time, said that we shouldn't worry, everything they're shipping is unrelated to their actions internally. That's patently untrue. And we are concerned about the latest information we have that there are attack helicopters on the way from Russia to Syria, which will escalate the conflict quite dramatically. Russia has acknowledged sending arms but claims the weapons are only for self-defense. Meanwhile, Turkey has been smuggling powerful anti-tank missiles and other arms to Syrian opposition fighters in the Free Syria Army. The missiles are being financed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar. According to the New York Times, the United States was consulted about the arming of the rebels but did not take part directly in the weapons transfer. To talk about the crisis in Syria, we're joined by two guests. Rafif Jouejati is a Syrian-American opposition activist and the English-language spokesperson for the Syrian Local Coordination Committees. She's joining us from Washington, D.C. And joining us by Democracy Now! video stream is Patrick Seale, a leading writer on the Middle East. He's author of Asad: The Struggle for the Middle East and, most recently, The Struggle for Arab Independence: Riad el-Solh and the Makers of the Modern Middle East. We welcome you both to Democracy Now! Let us begin with Rafif Jouejati. Are we seeing a civil war in Syria? I don't know if I would characterize it as a civil war. It is really a case of a regime trying to repress a popular demand for freedom and democracy. Patrick Seale, would you characterize it in the same way? Well, I don't think it matters really what we call it. It's just an extremely dangerous situation, in my view, dangerous for everybody—dangerous for Syria, for Iran, its ally, dangerous for Lebanon, for Jordan, and dangerous for the United States, dangerous for the Gulf states. So it's a very tricky moment, and I don't think, quite frankly, the United States is helping to resolve the situation. It's pursuing a high-risk strategy, and which we can talk about in a moment, if you like. Well, what is that high-risk strategy? Well, look, there are two promising diplomatic initiatives in recent weeks in the region. One is led by Catherine Ashton, the European Union's foreign policy chief, and the other by Kofi Annan, the former secretary-general of the United Nations, who is mandated by both the Arab League and the UN to try and promote a peace plan for Syria. Now, Catherine Ashton was pressing for a win-win deal between Iran and the so-called P5-plus-1. That's to say, the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany. They've held—they've had two meetings so far. The first one seemed very promising. But there's another meeting coming up on the 18th of June in Moscow, and that doesn't look good at all. Why? Because the United States has toughened its position. It doesn't seem to want a win-win deal whereby Iran would give up its 20 percent enriched uranium but be allowed to keep low-enriched uranium for power generation. Now, why has the Americans—why has the United States adopted this position? It seems to be taking its cue from Israel. Obama, President Obama, either thinks that Iran is a rival to American hegemony in the Gulf, or he thinks, with the elections coming up in November, that he has to carry favor with Jewish voters. I fear the latter. Now, the— Rafif Jouejati, can I just ask you to respond to that? How do you feel the U.S. has been dealing with the conflict in Syria, and what would you like the U.S. to do differently? Well, let me start by saying that to introduce notions of Jewish voters and the Obama re-election bid, I think, is to detract from the fact that there are more than 12,000 civilians shot dead by the Assad regime. I would say that the U.S. has been supportive in condemning the Assad violations of human rights, systematic violations. What I would like to see is for more pressure exerted on Russia to stop the flow of weapons, including those helicopters that are on their way, including things like the shipment of $100 million worth of weapons just a couple of weeks ago. I would like to see more pressure on Russia to stop the flow of arms. I'd like to see more pressure on the international community, in general, to deliver relief supplies, which are so desperately needed. There are reports today, Rafif Jouejati, that both Saudi Arabia and Qatar are arming the rebels in Syria. So, there have been reports, and there were pledges of support from Qatar and Saudi Arabia. According to the FSA, those weapons are— We may have just lost Rafif Jouejati for a moment. We're going to get her back. We're speaking with Rafif Jouejati, who's a member of the Syrian opposition. And we're also speaking with Patrick Seale, a leading British writer on the Middle East who wrote a book about Bashar al-Assad's father called Asad: The Struggle for the Middle East. Rafif, I think we have you back, if you could continue. Yes, so, I was saying that we also need the international community to step up its relief efforts. As you know, the Assad regime has prevented much-needed relief supplies from reaching residents, who are under continuous shelling and bombardment. And Rafif Jouejati, can I just ask you to clarify who it is? If there are funds or arms going to the Syrian opposition, who is the Syrian opposition, the Syrian National Council and other affiliated groups? So, we've had pledges of support from various nations, but in reality, that support is not reaching the Free Syrian Army, which is only one part of the opposition. Instead, there are light weapons being smuggled across borders. So to say that the Free Syrian Army is heavily armed would imply that they are smuggling attack helicopters or tanks from Lebanon, and that would just be ridiculous. In terms of who constitutes the Syrian opposition, you have the Syrian National Council, which is an umbrella organization that encompasses, I would say, the majority of opposition groups. And then you've got the armed portion of it, which is the Free Syrian Army, which is composed primarily of defected soldiers who refused orders to shoot unarmed civilians. How many people have defected from the Syrian army to the Free Syrian Army? It's difficult to give precise numbers, because some of this is obviously quite secretive, but the estimates are ranging in the 40,000 area at this point, with defections every day. Just yesterday, there were three high-ranking officials who defected from the Syrian air force. Patrick Seale, can you say a little about your sense of who constitutes the opposition and whether the opposition is sufficiently united? Well, as we all know, the opposition is deeply divided. The strongest, best funded, best organized element in it are the Muslim Brothers. Now, they have a longstanding grievance against the Assad regime, father and son, going back over 30 years—indeed, ever since the Ba'ath Party came to power in Syria in 1963—Ba'ath Party, which is a secular movement. And from that moment on, some elements of the Muslim Brothers went underground, started taking arms, and mounted a terrorist campaign against the Syrian regime in the late six—in the late '70s, culminating in the seizure of Hama, which the state then retook with great loss of life. Now, after that, the Muslim Brothers were banned. Membership was punishable by death. So they have a great deal to want revenge for from this regime. Now, in addition to the Muslim Brothers, which are the many, many strands of them in Syria and outside Syria, there are also large numbers now of armed Islamic extremists, jihadis, so-called Arab fighters coming in from neighboring countries but also from countries further afield, from Afghanistan, from Pakistan, from Tunisia. Now, these people, a lot of them coming from Iraq, where they've been carrying out suicide operations, which they're replicating now in Syria—gross acts of terror. Now, this is the problem. The number two man in al-Qaeda, Abu Yahya al-Libi, whom the Americans claim to have killed the other day, has just issued a video accusing Bashar al-Assad. So, does the United States want to be on the side of al-Qaeda? Let us bring Rafif Jouejati into this description Patrick Seale has of the opposition, of which you are a part. Yeah. So let me start by correcting Mr. Seale on just a couple of things. First of all, I would say that the majority of the Syrian population has a grudge against the Assad family, which took power in a military coup and has retained power for more than 42 years through violence and repression. So I would say it's not just Islamic fundamentalists who desire to see this regime toppled. It is the majority of the population. Second of all, on the ground, the network of activists, the LCC has one of the largest network of activists. It is a decidedly secular organization. The opposition, the SNC, the LCC, all of the different various groups that do fall under the SNC umbrella, have condemned any al-Qaeda operations. Now, certainly, al-Qaeda is a rogue organization that thrives on chaos. And had Bashar al-Assad retained any stability in the country, we might not be seeing the kind of chaos that allows certain elements to slip through borders. Rafif, did your father work for Hafez al-Assad? My father served the Syrian government from independence from the French all the way until his death nine years ago. So he worked under Hafez al-Assad. What was his position on Bashar al-Assad's father? He—my father believed in service to his nation and not particularly to a regime. He was never a member of the Ba'ath Party. He wanted to serve his country. He believed in a free and independent Syria. Last month, the U.S. expelled the top Syrian diplomat in Washington following the massacre of over a hundred people in Houla. State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland spoke in late May, blaming Iran for the massacre. VICTORIA NULAND: This morning, we called in Syrian chargé d'affaires Zuheir Jabbour and informed him that he is no longer welcome in the United States and gave him 72 hours to depart. We took this action in response to the massacre in the village of Houla—absolutely indefensible, vile, despicable massacre against innocent children, women shot at point-blank range by regime thugs, the Shabiha, aided and abetted by the Iranians, who were actually bragging about it over the weekend. We'll go to this issue of Iran after break. That was Victoria Nuland, State Department spokesperson. We're speaking with Rafif Jouejati, an activist and member of the Syrian opposition. She's in Washington. Patrick Seale, leading British writer on the Middle East, is joining us from the south of France. Stay with us. Our guests are Rafif Jouejati, activist and member of the Syrian opposition, speaking to us from Washington, D.C., and Patrick Seale, a leading British writer on the Middle East, wrote a biography of Bashar al-Assad's father called Asad: The Struggle for the Middle East, and, most recently, The Struggle for Arab Independence: Riad el-Solh and the Makers of the Modern Middle East. We just heard a clip of the State Department spokesperson, Victoria Nuland, blaming Iran. Can you respond, Patrick Seale? Well, the point about that massacre at Houla, the real responsibility has not been established. Ms. Nuland and others have immediately blamed the regime's notorious Shabiha thugs, but a very serious German newspaper, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the leading West German newspaper, German newspaper, has recently published a report quoting its sources on the ground saying this is not the case, that the massacre was conducted by anti-Assad Sunni militias, who then filmed their victims and posted videos on the internet blaming the regime. Now, this clearly demands an investigation, internal investigation, to establish what the truth is. The fact is that both sides have committed atrocious crimes. Ms. Jouejati is quite right in saying that the population, or part of it, has serious grievances against the Assad regime over the years—police brutality, favoritism for certain communities, a lack of freedom, the neglect after the great drought of recent years in Syria, and many other things. Of course they have grievances. But the problem now is no longer a purely local one. It's become a regional one. The Syrian crisis cannot be separated from the tremendous pressures being put on Iran. The United States seems to have adopted Israel's position, to attempt to bring down both regimes, the regime in Tehran and the regime in Damascus. Now, you may have noticed that President Shimon Peres of Israel, Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu himself have all in recent days called for the overthrow of the Syrian regime. I mean, Netanyahu wants to bring down the whole Tehran-Damascus-Hezbollah resistance axis, which has dented Israel's supremacy in recent years. So this has become a regional conflict. Now, some Arab states—Saudi Arabia and Qatar—also seem to see the crisis in sectarian terms. They think that Iran, a Shia power, could challenge Sunni primacy in the region. But you saw—your program began, at around—a few minutes ago, with the massacres in Iraq of Shia civilians. Now, who do you think triggered that sectarian conflict? It was the United States, with its invasion of Iraq in 2002, which led to the collapse of the state to a sectarian civil war in which hundreds of thousands of people were killed and millions displaced. Do they want the same thing to happen in Syria? Hasn't Syria suffered enough? Shouldn't the West and Russia join in imposing a ceasefire on both sides, instead of fueling the flames? The United States is said to be coordinating the flow of money, intelligence and weapons to the rebels, and then complaining that Russia is doing the same for the regime. I want to ask—let me just ask Rafif Jouejati to respond both on Victoria Nuland's comments about Iran's involvement and who should be held responsible, or who is responsible, for the Houla massacre. Absolutely. Let's start with the Houla massacre. There are satellite images of regime tank positions stationed all around the area. Logically, by any reasonable calculation, only the regime would have had access to that area in such numbers. There was intense shelling on the area just before the Shabiha went in. They didn't just shoot children. They practically beheaded them. Children were stabbed repeatedly. In many other instances of Shabiha violence, they have actually set fire to their victims. So, that's on the Houla massacre. The regime bears full responsibility. And when Bashar al-Assad delivered a speech just days after it, he said that not even monsters could have carried out this attack. And I believe, by "not even monsters," he was speaking about his own Shabiha. With regard to the German article, Mr. Seale, I did read it. The reporter did not cite any credible sources. What we have gotten from Houla residents, those who remain, were eyewitness accounts of what has happened. So, I would discredit that article 100 percent. In terms of Iran, Iran has, since the very beginning, been supporting the Assad regime through infusions of cash when the sanctions began to take effect in Syria. They have provided military equipment. They have provided surveillance technology. It is the very surveillance technology that enabled the Assad regime to blow up the house where Marie Colvin was when she was killed, the journalist who was killed as she was uploading information. Iran has been recently bragging about its support for the Assad regime. I don't think we want to go too far and muddy the waters by talking about what Israel's ambitions may be. What we're talking about is a popular revolution that the regime is trying to repress through massive military force. I want to ask more about Saudi Arabia and Qatar's role in the conflict. The Independent of London reported today Syrian rebel groups had received multiple shipments of arms, including Kalashnikov assault rifles, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, anti-tank weaponry. The weapons were paid for by Saudi Arabia and Qatar and smuggled through Turkey. Patrick Seale, the significance of who's on what side here and Russia sending helicopters to Bashar al-Assad? This the trouble. I mean, there's so much foreign intervention, with each of the external actors pursuing its own strategic goals. Now, the opposition, the rebels, know, I believe, that they cannot hope to defeat the Syrian army on the ground. Their whole strategy has been to try and trigger a Western military intervention. Now that's been slow in coming. Now, to trigger such an intervention, they have either perpetrated massacres themselves — and I stick with the report from the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung — or they try and provoke the regime into massacres. Now, what that German newspaper said was that rebels attacked some checkpoints manned by the army, and in the firefight that followed, which lasted about 90 minutes, the massacre took place. And they contacted many sources on the ground, which Mrs. Jouejati dismisses, and says—and said—they reported that the killing was done by anti-Assad Sunni militants. Now, I'm not saying one thing or the other; I'm saying that this should be investigated. Now, Mrs. Jouejati is, I think, mistaken in not seeing the wider context of this Syrian—tragic Syrian struggle. And the only way to resolve it is not by force of arms. The only way to resolve it is by diplomacy. That is why it is a great mistake to sabotage Kofi Annan's mission, as I'm afraid the United States is doing. It pays lip service to his peace mission while conniving in the arming of the opposition. The West and the Russians should combine in imposing a ceasefire on both sides and bringing both sides to the table. That is the only way to save what is left of Syria. Rafif Jouejati, can you—can you respond to that? Would you agree with Patrick Seale's assessment that what the rebels are trying to do is trigger military intervention? Absolutely not. I think the calls for military intervention came at a time when the civilian population was being so heavily shelled that they had nobody to turn to, and the last resort was to call for foreign intervention. I would maintain the revolution began peacefully, and it would have stayed peaceful had the Assad regime not started firing on protesters, firing on mourners attending the funerals of protesters who had been killed the day before, kidnapping, detaining, torturing children. Let's remember Hamza Ali al-Khateeb, who was 13 years old, who was detained, tortured, mutilated and returned to his village as an example. The Free Syrian Army is composed of defected soldiers, who did not wish to shoot at unarmed civilians. Let's go back to the roots of the revolution and see how it has progressed from March 2011. Let's also take a look at the weapons that Russia is shipping to Syria. Let's talk about foreign intervention and the intervention that Assad has allowed to enter the country in the form of Russian and Iranian support. So what do you want to see happen now, Rafif? I would love to see the Annan peace plan take effect. I would love to see the Assad regime respect a single tenet of that six-point plan, starting with a full pullback of military equipment and troops, and perhaps ending with independent media and foreign journalists allowed to enter to investigate and report on what is actually happening. Rafif, can you explain why the former head of the Syrian National Council, Burhan Ghalioun, was forced to resign last month and tell us a little bit about the new head, Abdul Basit Sieda? Did Ghalioun's resignation have something to do with calls for intervention? I really can't speak for the Syrian National Council. My speculation is that Burhan Ghalioun had originally been seen as a consensus builder and was having a challenge in actually building consensus. Now, we have to remember that the Syrian National Council, A, is a relatively new organization and, B, populated by people who have been politically and intellectually repressed for more than five decades. So there are some growing pains. There is some dysfunction, certainly. I don't think anybody would dispute that. With Burhan Ghalioun stepping down—and it was voluntarily, by the way—he offered to resign as soon as a suitable replacement was found. The council decided it had found a suitable replacement, and he was elected. Now, Mr. Abdul Basit appears to be a consensus builder, appears to enjoy popularity with the very important Kurdish minority. And we hope that, under his leadership, the Syrian National Council can reorganize and overcome some of the difficulties it was facing in the past. Your response, finally, Patrick Seale? Well, Ms. Jouejati doesn't seem to be in close touch with the Syrian National Council or the opposition. Its official policy is to call for a foreign intervention. It knows it can't do the job by itself. That's why—that's why these rebels are trying desperately to provoke the regime into massacres. Now, the regime's strategy is the very contrary: it will not tolerate pockets of armed rebels on its territory, so it's going all-out to exterminate them. So the more the rebels are armed, the more bloodshed there will be, and the more a great need is to support Kofi Annan in every possible way to encourage the holding of a big international conference in Moscow, perhaps, with both sides represented. Stop the bloodshed and start talking—that's what the international community should insist upon. Amy, I'd like to respond to that, if I may. Very quickly, and we're wrapping up right now. Very quickly. I will tell Mr. Seale that, while I am in Washington, D.C., I am in daily contact with activists on the ground. But you don't seem to know that the policy is to trigger— I represent the largest network of activists on the ground in Syria. And the Syrian National Council called for military intervention in response to the people who were being shelled by regime forces, not to further any ulterior motives, but to respond to what the people were asking for. We're going to leave it there. Rafif Jouejati, we want to thank you very much for being with us, activist and member of the Syrian opposition. Patrick Seale, leading British writer on the Middle East, he's speaking to us from the south of France—she, from Washington, D.C. His latest book is The Struggle for Arab Independence http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-june-8-2012?start=123 Bradley Manning appears at a pretrial hearing in a military court ahead of his September trial, as a new book documents his trajectory from a difficult childhood to his current predicament. And more from the Democracy Now! interview with the filmmakers behind "Five Broken Cameras," a new documentary that tells the story of a West Bank village's resistance to the Israeli separation barrier. Plus headlines, and more.<br /> Fri, 08 Jun 2012 12:05:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-june-8-2012 Bradley Manning, WikiLeaks, Whistleblower, United States v. Bradley Manning, United States, Court-martial, Trial, Military justice, 2012 al-Qubair massacre, Bil'in The crisis in Syria is intensifying following a massacre of Sunni villagers in Hama province. Witnesses and activists say government-backed forces killed up to 86 people in the village of Kubair, around half of them women and children. Most of the victims were burned in their own homes, with many bodies showing signs of grizzly murders. The massacre reportedly came after dozens of Syrian troops and militia members surrounded the village from all directions. On Thursday, Syrian troops blocked U.N. monitors from reaching the village, and some observers came under fire as they tried to approach. The attack in Hama came less than two weeks after pro-government forces killed more than 100 civilians in the village of Houla. The Syrian government has denied responsibility for both atrocities, blaming rebel "terrorists." Annan: Ceasefire in Tatters, Assad Primarily Responsible At the United Nations, international envoy Kofi Annan acknowledged his ceasefire plan has failed and said responsibility first rests with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Kofi Annan: "Today, despite the acceptance of the six-point plan and the deployment of a courageous mission of United Nations observers to Syria, I must be frank and confirm that the plan is not being implemented. Clearly, all parties must cease violence, but equally clearly, the first responsibility lies with the government. Since then, shelling of cities has intensified. Government-backed militia seem to have free reign with appalling consequences." Also in his remarks, Annan renewed his warning that Syria may already be in the midst of a catastrophic civil war. Kofi Annan: "Given the level of violence and the actors on the ground, you could say we are drifting, if we are not already, in a sort of a civil war. All efforts are being made to ensure that if it were to become a full-blown civil war, it doesn't spread to the neighbors." Ban Condemns "Unspeakable Barbarity" in Syria Massacre Appearing with Kofi Annan, U.N. Security-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the massacre in Hama. Ban Ki-moon: "Any regime or leader that tolerates such killing of innocents has lost its fundamental humanity. Today's news reports of another massacre in al-Kubeir and Kafr Zeta are shocking and sickening — a village apparently surrounded by Syrian forces, the bodies of innocent civilians lying there. They were shot, some allegedly burned or slashed with knives. We condemn this unspeakable barbarity and renew our determination to bring those responsible to account." Russia Calls for Iran Role in Talks, Rejects Intervention Members of the U.N. Security Council remain at an impasse over an international response to Syria's turmoil. Kofi Annan has proposed establishing a new contact group involving the United States, Russia and Iran, but the United States has refused to accept Iran's involvement. Russia and China continue to oppose proposals for sanctions against Syria and the U.S.-led calls for Assad to step down. At the United Nations, Russia envoy Vitaly Churkin said Council members have ignored the role of Syria's armed rebels in the ongoing violence and called for Iran's involvement in any future talks. Vitaly Churkin: "The truth of the matter, as you know, is that armed opposition groups do not only — do not only fail to comply to the Kofi Annan plan, but they declare that it is their intention not to do so, which, to us, is a very dangerous development, a very counterproductive development. We hear complaints about Iran, so the way to deal with that is to involve Iran in discussions and make sure that their activities are in sync with the activities of the rest of us who want to have this matter finally settled peacefully." Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov vowed to oppose any Security Council measure authorizing military intervention, saying: "There will not be a Security Council mandate for outside intervention, I guarantee you that." Clinton: Assad "Has Doubled Down on Brutality" Speaking during a visit to Turkey, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton renewed the Obama administration's call for the immediate departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Hillary Clinton: "Assad has doubled down on his brutality and duplicity, and Syria will not, cannot be peaceful, stable or certainly democratic until Assad goes. So even as we intensify the sanctions pressure, because as we were meeting in Istanbul, the sanctions working committee of the Friends of the Syrian People was meeting in Washington, the time has come for the international community to unite around a plan for a post-Assad Syria." http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-delivers-bleak-assessment-on-syria-calls-for-international-action?start=0 Kofi Annan, the joint UN-Arab League envoy to Syria, has admitted that his peace plan is failing and that the country's future will consist of "brutal suppression, massacres, sectarian violence and even all-out civil war" if it continues on its current path. Fri, 08 Jun 2012 09:50:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-delivers-bleak-assessment-on-syria-calls-for-international-action Syrian Civil War, Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-moon, Syria, 2012 al-Qubair massacre, Civil war, Houla massacre, Bashar Jaafari, UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan peace plan for Syria Kofi Annan, the joint United Nations-Arab League envoy to Syria, has admitted that his peace plan is failing and that the country's future will consist of "brutal suppression, massacres, sectarian violence and even all-out civil war" if it continues on its current path. In a speech to the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Annan confirmed that massacres of civilians have taken place in the towns of Houla and al-Qubayr. While not assigning blame for the mass killings, the former UN secretary general said that the government, not the armed opposition, had the "first responsibility" to halt violence. Al Jazeera's Kristen Saloomey reports from the UN Headquarters in New York. http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-warns-syria-is-headed-for-all-out-civil-war?start=0 The United Nations says there has been a dangerous escalation of violence in Syria and warned the country is on the path to a civil war. "The trail of blood leads back to those responsible," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Fri, 08 Jun 2012 08:52:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-warns-syria-is-headed-for-all-out-civil-war 2012 al-Qubair massacre, al-Qubair, Syrian Civil War, Syria, Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-moon, Bashar al-Assad, Hama Governorate, Civil war, Houla massacre The United Nations says there has been a dangerous escalation of violence in Syria and warned the country is on the path to a civil war. Comments made yesterday showed a marked change in tone, clearly aimed at building pressure on the Assad government. "The trail of blood leads back to those responsible," said UN Secretary-General Ban-ki Moon. Meanwhile Kofi Annan admitted his peace plan is not working. "If things do not change, the future is likely to be one of brutal repression, massacres, sectarian violence, and even all-out civil war," he said. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-060112?start=364 UN warnings of a full-fledged civil war have been issued for Syria, as Syrians held demonstrations on a Friday titled "The children of Houla are the torches of victory," and a new massacre was committed in the countryside of al-Qusayr, New TV reports. Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-060112 Syrian Civil War, Houla massacre, Yemen Uprising, Palestinians, Israel, Syria, Ban Ki-moon, Istanbul, 2011-2012 Jordanian Protests, Egyptian presidential election, 2012 Presenter, Male #1 An international warning of a full-fledged civil war has been issued for Syria. Syrians held demonstrations on a Friday titled "The children of Houla are the torches of victory," and a new massacre was committed in the countryside of al-Qusayr, targeting workers. Reporter, Female #1 The international community has heightened its warning to a looming civil war in Syria. During a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin said there are emerging elements of a civil war in Syria. Guest, Male #2 (Vladimir Putin, Russian President) Today, we are seeing emerging elements of civil war in Syria. It is extremely dangerous. Russia doesn't support any side of the conflict, and does not supply Damascus with weapons that could be used in a civil war. Guest, Female #2 (Angela Merkel, German Chancellor) We both made clear that we are pushing for a political solution, and that Annan's plan can be a starting point. Reporter, Female #1 For his part, British Foreign Minister William Hague stressed the importance of implementing the Annan plan and reiterated his country's fear of a civil war in Syria. This came during talks held by Hague with the Syrian opposition and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Istanbul. Guest, Male #3 William Hague, British Foreign Minister) The United Nations secretary-general and I, as well as the Syrian opposition, believe that Syria is on the edge of an all-out civil war and a collapse into sectarian strife. Reporter, Female #1 For her part, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said a full-fledged conflict in Syria would put the entire region "in grave danger." She also called on the international community to support the Annan plan. In a statement read by her representative at the UN Human Rights Council's special session on Syria, Pillay said Syrian forces and militias accused of committing a massacre in Houla could face prosecution for crimes against humanity. Reporter, Female #1 In response to a call by the opposition, Syrians held anti-regime demonstrations on a Friday titled "The children of Houla are the torches of victory." The demonstrations were held in honor of the children killed in the Houla massacre in Homs Province. The participants chanted anti-regime slogans. Reporter, Female #1 On the other hand, Syrian state television broadcast scenes of al-Gha'eb, or the missing prayers, for the martyrs of al-Houla massacre. The prayers were held at the Great Umayyad Mosque in Damascus and other mosques in Aleppo and Latakia. On the ground, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 12 workers were killed on a bus while traveling across the countryside of al-Qusayr. The victims were shot to death after their hands were tied behind their backs. The Observatory called on the international observers to visit al-Qusayr and investigate the killings. In Homs, activists uploaded videos online showing neighborhoods being shelled as international observers toured the city. http://news.linktv.org/videos/france-islamist-suspects-charged-as-sarkozy-gains-in-polls?start=0 Thirteen men whom Nicolas Sarkozy described as Islamic militants are facing charges in France, suspected of terrorist activities. Prosecutors also claim the men had discussed plans to kidnap a Jewish judge. Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:37:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/france-islamist-suspects-charged-as-sarkozy-gains-in-polls Forsane Alizza, Islamic terrorism, France, Nicolas Sarkozy, Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion , Groupes d'Intervention de la Police Nationale, Mohammed Merah, Islamism, French presidential election, 2012, Politics of France Thirteen men whom Nicolas Sarkozy described as Islamic militants are facing charges in France, suspected of terrorist activities. Prosecutors also claim the men had discussed plans to kidnap a Jewish judge, as Al Jazeera's Tim Friend reports. http://news.linktv.org/videos/could-syrias-crisis-spread-across-the-middle-east?start=0 International diplomacy has so far failed to find any way to end the bloodshed in Syria. As the violence continues, there are growing fears that other regional powers could be sucked into Syria's conflict. Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:29:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/could-syrias-crisis-spread-across-the-middle-east Syrian Civil War, Syria, Sunni Islam, Alawite, Shia Islam, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Diplomacy Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, is expected to meet Saudi leaders in Riyadh on Friday, with the crisis in Syria topping the agenda. Clinton is set to hold talks with King Abdullah, Prince Saud al-Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, and other senior Gulf diplomats to find ways to end the bloodshed in the country. International diplomacy has so far failed to end the conflict and there are growing fears that it could spread across the region. Al Jazeera's Jonah Hull reports. http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-accuses-syria-of-crimes-against-humanity?start=0 Independent UN investigators say that the Syrian army has committed crimes against humanity against civilians under orders from the government, as international condemnation of the Assad regime grows. Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:08:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-accuses-syria-of-crimes-against-humanity Crimes Against Humanity, Syrian army, Siege of Homs, Syria, Homs, Syrian Civil War, Civilian casualties, Bashar al-Assad, United Nations, Alain Juppé Independent United Nations investigators say that the Syrian army has committed crimes against humanity against civilians under orders from the government, as international condemnation of the Assad regime grows. http://news.linktv.org/videos/raw-video-un-chief-condemns-appalling-brutality-in-homs?start=0 The UN Secretary-General said he requested an Arab League observer mission to return to Syria because the failure to agree a UN resolution had given way to "appalling brutality in Homs" which is a "grim harbinger of what is to come." Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:16:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/raw-video-un-chief-condemns-appalling-brutality-in-homs Ban Ki-moon, Homs, Syria, Arab League, Syrian Civil War, UN Security Council, Nabil al-Arabi, UN Security Council Resolution, UN Secretary-General, Civil war Un Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he requested an Arab League observer mission to return to Syria because the failure to agree a UN resolution had given way to "appalling brutality in Homs" which he described as a "grim harbinger of what is to come." http://news.linktv.org/videos/russia-criticizes-hysterical-reaction-to-syria-un-veto?start=0 Russia Today offers a different perspective on the mounting international criticism directed at Moscow over its decision to block the latest UN resolution on Syria. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:37:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/russia-criticizes-hysterical-reaction-to-syria-un-veto Syria, Syrian Civil War, UN Security Council, Russia, UN Security Council Resolution, UN Security Council veto, Susan Rice, William Hague, Bashar al-Assad, Diplomacy Russia Today offers a different perspective on the mounting international criticism directed at Moscow over its decision to block the latest UN resolution on Syria. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-013112?start=35 Local Coordination Committees said 21 people were killed in Syria today. Meanwhile, Washington and its European allies are trying to adopt a UN resolution to end the violence in Syria and pave the way for a democratic transition of power. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-013112 Protest, Syria, Syrian Civil War, Bashar al-Assad, Mahmoud Abbas, Middle East Peace Process, Israel, Syrian army, Free Syrian Army, Amman Presenter, Male #1 Local Coordination Committees said 21 people were killed in Syria today, including a child and four soldiers who were executed by security forces in Idlib. The Syrian Coordination Committees reported that the regime's forces managed to enter the town of Rastan and that the military operation was characterized by seesaw battles. Meanwhile, other groups announced their defection from the regime's army. A group of scholars announced that they would stand by the people's side. In turn, Syria's state media continued to air the 10th Forum of Syrian Clans and Tribes in the Raqqa region showing support for President Assad. Reporter, Male #2 These tanks are shelling houses and residential neighborhoods in the town of Rastan. Guest, Male #3 God is great! God is great! As you hear, it is artillery shelling pounding the city of Rastan. Reporter, Male #2 This group of military vehicles is relentlessly and indiscriminately opening heavy fire on residential neighborhoods. The authenticity of these images cannot be verified, but they show how far deep into Syrian neighborhoods these military vehicles have pushed, as Syrian activists say. Also in Rastan, more soldiers defected from the regime's army. In the surroundings of the Syrian capital, clashes continued. In a phone call with the BBC, the director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described the clashes as seesaw battles. He unveiled that three officers in the intelligence and security agencies were captured at dawn on Tuesday. Guest, Male #3 (Rami Abdul Rahman, Director of Syrian Observatory for Human Rights) Today, sounds of explosions were heard in a number of eastern regions, which I believe still continue. However, the operation in the countryside of Damascus seems to be a seesaw battle now. The Syrian authorities are dispatching their media networks accompanied by security forces to one of the checkpoints. Groups of defecting soldiers captured three officers, including an officer in the political security agency. Reporter, Male #2 The Syrian National Council called for a general strike and for putting an end to the killings. Activists uploaded images online of protests in a number of areas. Syrian state media continued to report about whom it describes as terrorists. Guest, Female #1 (Syrian State TV) In a quality operation in the regions of Duma, Harasta, Saqaba, Hamuriya and Kafr Batna in the countryside of Damascus, armed members of terrorist groups were captured. They committed the most ferocious crimes against citizens, including killing, kidnapping, and planting landmines. Reporter, Male #2 The Syrian media showed images of large gatherings, which it said was the 10th Forum of Syrian Clans and Tribes in the Raqqa region. Preachers gathered at the forum to show support for President Assad's reforms and policies. In Idlib, a group of scholars who call themselves "the Commission for the Free Scholars" announced they would stand behind the people against the regime. Guest, Male #4 We declare in all honesty and clarity to stand by our just Syrian people and their rightful demands to gain freedom. Guest, Male #5 They were striking the area with mortar shells. They opened fire on us using all possible means. Thank God, we have been fending them off with the help of God Almighty. We protected the demonstration. The demonstration was peaceful and we came to protect the residents of the neighborhood and their peaceful demonstration. Reporter, Male #2 Here in the Bab Sibaa neighborhood, demonstrations are protected by soldiers said to be from the Syrian Free Army. This scene indicates a strong presence of armed military defectors and of the Syrian army. If this does not indicate a civil war, then what does? Essam Abdullah, BBC. Presenter, Male #1 Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is convening a special session on the situation in Syria amid speculations that a unified position will be difficult to reach due to Moscow's refusal to discuss the Arab-backed draft resolution and the demand that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad relinquish power. Meanwhile, Washington and its European allies are trying to adopt a resolution to end the violence in Syria and pave the way for a democratic transition of power. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syrian-violence-is-open-warfare-says-opposition?start=0 The conflict in Syria is beginning to look more like an insurgency after government troops attacked the towns of Idlib, Homs, Deraa, and Hama. Army defectors retaliated by killing a senior army officer in an ambush. As many as 27 people have been killed in the latest clashes. Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:59:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syrian-violence-is-open-warfare-says-opposition Syrian Civil War, Homs, Syria, Bashar al-Assad, Defection, Civilian casualties, Daraa, Idlib, Hama, Syrian army The conflict in Syria is beginning to look more like an insurgency after government troops attacked the towns of Idlib, Homs, Deraa, and Hama. Army defectors retaliated by killing a senior army officer in an ambush, and they have described the fighting as "open warfare." As many as 27 people have been killed in the latest clashes. Al Jazeera's Nazanin Sadri reports. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-120111?start=34 In Syria, shelling by al-Assad brigades continues to target the residents of Homs, Hama, and Idlib, leading to the deaths of 21 people. The UN Human Rights Council announced that the death toll in Syria has exceeded 4,000 people since the eruption of the revolution, describing the situation as civil war. Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-120111 Iran, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Syria, NATO, Protest, Bashar al-Assad, Civil war, Turkey, Ali Abdullah Saleh Presenter, Female # 1 In Syria, shelling by al-Assad brigades continues to target the residents of Homs, Hama, and Idlib, leading to the deaths of 21 people. Reports indicate regime forces and the shabeha stormed the town of Tremseh in the countryside of Hama as the opposition held a strike in a number of cities. The UN Human Rights Council announced that the death toll in Syria has exceeded 4,000 people since the eruption of the revolution, describing the situation as civil war. Reporter, Male # 1 The majority of Syrian cities and towns turned into ghost towns. Stores were closed and the streets semi-deserted. This comes in response to the opposition's call to hold a general strike to mourn the dead, who have been perishing daily since mid-March by the bullets of al-Assad's brigades. Wide-participation in the strike was reported in all of Hama's markets and streets in support of the city's countryside that is being subjected to a bloody military operation. But despite the general strike, anti-regime protests were held on streets crowded with demonstrators demanding the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad and his regime. The Syrian Revolution's General Commission reported confrontations between Syrian security and students in the city of Darayya in the countryside of Damascus. Security forces were attempting to prevent them from holding an anti-regime march in the city. So the students challenged the presence of armed security across Darayya's streets amid reports that al-Assad's brigades attacked those participating in another student protest. Syrian security forces fired tear gas at the students, causing some to suffer from nausea and unconsciousness. Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said the death toll in Syria since the protest movement started has reached at least 4,000. She characterized the current situation in Syria as civil war. Amid these conditions, the leadership of the Syrian National Council confirmed the Free Syrian Army will soon start its armed operations against military, security, and political Ba'ath Party leadership sites in the heart of Damascus. The SNC said this comes in response to the massacres committed by the regime and the wide-scale security operations carried out in Syrian cities and towns. These on-the-ground developments did not constitute an obstacle to the opposition's ongoing eight-month-old revolution. For this reason, the opposition continues to mobilize its supporters, asking them to participate in mass protests on what it called the Friday of "we demand a buffer zone." The opposition's supporters held massive night marches in line with the mobilization taken on the Tuesday of "a united Syria is our homeland." Opposition websites said the bullets of al-Assad's forces resulted in the deaths of at least 27 people in Homs, Idlib, Hama and the countryside of Damascus. On the other hand, Syria announced it will suspend its membership in the Union for the Mediterranean, which was established in July 2008 under France's initiative. The official Syrian news agency SANA reported the freeze comes in response to the unjustified European measures taken against the Syrian people. It viewed the European Union's series of measures as a blatant violation of its national sovereignty and a clear interference in Syria's internal affairs that lacks any sort of objectivity. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-russia-says-rebel-attack-like-civil-war?start=0 New amateur video shows Syrian army defectors who claim to have killed 14 government soldiers in a bold attack. But Russia, which has resisted moves to condemn Syria and instead calls for dialogue, is alarmed by the turn of events. Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:59:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-russia-says-rebel-attack-like-civil-war Syrian Civil War, Free Syrian Army, Syria, Russia, Syrian army, Defection, Sergei Lavrov, Civil war, Arab League, Bashar al-Assad New amateur video shows several masked men brandishing weapons, standing to attention while one reads out a statement. The men are said to be Syrian army defectors who claim to have killed 14 government soldiers. But Russia, which has resisted moves to condemn Syria and instead calls for dialogue, is alarmed by the turn of events. Its foreign minister said the attack was tantamount to civil war, and called for for the violence to stop, no matter which side it came from. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-071811?start=869 <p>Deadly clashes erupt between pro- and anti-Syrian regime residents in Homs, Moscow refuses to recognize Libyan Transitional Council, rights group highlights "alarming rate" of Palestinian children jailed for throwing stones, and more.</p> Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-071811 Israel, Protest, Gaza, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Palestinians, Syrian Civil War, Tunisian revolution Presenter, Male # 1 Russia announced its refusal to recognize the Libyan Transitional Council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people while the US and a number of European countries have. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow refuses to recognize the council as the Libyan people's legitimate representative. He said the recognition would constitute taking the side of one political force in a civil war. Lavrov added that his country is in contact with both Tripoli and Benghazi with the aim of taking a constructive position and sitting at the negotiation table. Washington and the Libya Contact Group countries recognized the council during their last meeting in Istanbul. On the ground, Libyan revolutionaries announced they took control of the eastern town of Brega. They said they expelled Gaddafi's forces after waging fierce battles that lasted for days. A spokesman for the revolutionaries confirmed that Gaddafi's battalions withdrew to Ras Lanuf, located 100 kilometers west of Brega. He said regions that witnessed clashes were filled with lands mines, which has led to the death of over ten fighters and the injury of nearly 300 others in the past few days. Joining us from Moscow to discuss the Libyan issue, and specifically the latest Russian position, is Dr. Viteslav Motosov, a former Russian diplomat. Dr. Motosov, how would you interpret Russia's strict position on the recognition of the Libyan Transitional Council? Guest, Male # 2 (Dr. Viteslav Motosov, former Russian diplomat) Russia's position has been clear from the beginning of the Libyan crisis. Russia is not playing the role of Muammar al-Gaddafi and the ruling Libyan regime's lawyer. However, at the same time, Russia does not recognize the temporary Transitional Council as the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people. The main reason is the large number of political movements in Libya right now. Russia shares the African Union's position, which demands and insists on intensive political negotiations to find a political solution, a Libyan solution, without any foreign interference, neither political, nor military. Russia is against NATO's military strikes targeting Libya, and this is the main point. This was the initial difference between the Russian position and that of the US and the West. The second issue is recognizing the legitimacy of the temporary Transitional Council in Benghazi as the main force of the Libyan political scene. In order to solve the Libyan issue, there is an urgent need to support the position of the African Union. The African Union's position is based on contact with the Libyan government and the Transitional Council. Russia stands with regional forces, not foreign forces that are motivated by selfish reasons. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-062811-world-news-from-the-middle-east?start=36 Sudan's Bashir defies ICC arrest warrant with visit to China, Russia warns Syria against descending into a Libya-style war, Moroccans react to the king's proposed constitutional reforms, and more.<br /> Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-062811-world-news-from-the-middle-east Israel, Protest, Palestinians, Syria, International Criminal Court, Israeli-occupied territories, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Libya, Omar al-Bashir Presenter, Female # 1 The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council of Russia, Mikhail Margelov, met with the Syrian opposition's delegation visiting the Russian capital Moscow. According to a member of the delegation, they called on Russia to use its influence to push the Syrian regime to stop the killing of peaceful protestors. For his part, Margelov confirmed that Russia's only friend in Syria is the Syrian people. Margelov stated that Russia wishes to do everything possible to avoid a repeat of the Libyan scenario in Syria. Guest, Male # 1 (Mikhail Margelov, Russian Envoy) We are willing to do everything possible to prevent Syrian events from developing according to the Libyan scenario. We are interested in seeing the implementation of the reforms announced by the Syrian government and for political dialogue to include all groups and political parties, and all religious and ethnic groups in Syria. Reporter, Male # 2 A new victim is added to the caravan of death passing through Syrian cities and villages. Khaldoun Habashiyah was killed by security forces who stormed his house in the Barza area. Activists added that these elements also hit his son. The funerals of Khaldoun Habashiyah and other victims, who were killed and continue to be killed in Syria everyday, are at pace with the regime's chorus on the dialogue and its upcoming launch. The regime says the dialogue will be held under "the ceiling of the nation." However, which ceiling is the regime discussing? Is it the ceiling that was drawn by the soles of the Shabeha as they trampled on the foreheads of citizens? Opposition activists add another question to the ceiling of a dialogue craved by the regime and scheduled to be held in two weeks. Is it the ceiling under which the building blocks were placed by security agencies and the ruling regime? The same ones that were appalled by Syrians who dared demand pluralism. Demonstrators in the squares are chanting against a dialogue that would mask the crackdown witnessed in Syria. They are supported by the opposition, which rejects an invitation to a dialogue for which the results are already drawn, and this is why the people are demonstrating. Yesterday, they took to the streets of Hama, Latakia, Homs, Deir el-Zour, and Rif Dimashq. They chanted for the downfall of a family that engulfed a party and a nation, with all its resources and millions of residents. So the dialogue will start after the downfall of the regime. Those rising up believe that a mysterious dialogue with no prospects is useless. Their demands are clear: a free country and democracy. And those who amended the constitution, within an hour or so 11 years ago, to appoint al-Assad as president can also amend the constitution to meet the people's demands. Opposition activists say giving birth to one's antithesis requires a change at the core. And in the case of the Syrian regime, the core is the security state that is impossible to reform except by undermining its pillars. Today, the regime only seeks to gain additional time to sway international public opinion and to accomplish what it has been unable to for three and a half months, which is to end the intifada. http://news.linktv.org/videos/yemens-saleh-to-address-the-nation?start=0 Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh is set to make a speech to the nation within the next 24 hours -- his first since being injured in a rocket attack earlier this month. It is rumored it could include an offer to hand over power. Mon, 27 Jun 2011 08:06:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/yemens-saleh-to-address-the-nation Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen, Yemen Uprising, Saudi Arabia, Civil war, Euronews They have been dancing in the streets of Sanaa at the news that Yemen's President Ali Abdallah Saleh is to make a speech that it is rumoured could include an offer to hand over power. Saleh has not been seen in public since he was wounded in an attack on his palace at the beginning of the month. He flew to Saudi Arabia for treatment for reportedly severe burns, leaving behind a country on the verge of civil war after months of protests. His advisor issued a statement on Sunday saying Saleh would make a media appearance within 48 hours. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-062211-world-news-from-the-middle-east?start=782 Civilian deaths trigger rift over NATO's Libya campaign, Bahrain court sentences nine activists to life, Syrian minister defends Hezbollah and accuses al-Qaeda of killing security forces, and more.<br /> Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-062211-world-news-from-the-middle-east Iran, Pakistan, Bahrain, Bahrain Uprising, Protest, Syria, General strike, NATO, Fatah, Israel In Yemen, anti-regime protestors once again took to the streets in several cities across the country calling for a transitional council. People in the capital Sanaa held a rally calling for a council representing the revolutionaries to establish a new government. People in other cities including Ibb, Taiz and Aden also participated in demonstrations. They demand the ouster of Ali Abdullah Saleh, who is currently in Saudi Arabia undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in an attack on his palace earlier this month. According to people close to Saleh, he plans on returning but the chief of the largest tribe in Yemen, Sadiq al-Ahmar has called on Riyadh not to let Saleh return. Al-Ahmar has warned that Yemen will head to a civil war if he returns. http://news.linktv.org/videos/yemeni-airport-buildings-in-flames?start=0 The headquarters of Yemeni Airways has been engulfed in flames amidst fierce fighting in the capital Sana'a. <br /> Fri, 03 Jun 2011 08:29:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/yemeni-airport-buildings-in-flames Sanaa, Yemen, Hashid, Ali Abdullah Saleh, Civil war, Sanaa Airport, Arab Spring, ITN News The headquarters of Yemeni Airways has been engulfed in flames amidst fierce fighting in the capital Sana'a. http://news.linktv.org/videos/yemen-presidential-palace-hit-as-battle-rages-in-sanaa?start=0 Ali Abdullah Saleh's presidential palace has been hit by shells, with reports of injuries to senior officials, amid escalating clashes between tribal fighters and government forces in the capital city, Sana'a. Fri, 03 Jun 2011 08:12:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/yemen-presidential-palace-hit-as-battle-rages-in-sanaa Sanaa, Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, Hashid, Protest, Arab Spring, Civil war, Sadiq al-Ahmar, France 24 Yemen's presidential compound has been hit by shells, with reports of injuries to senior officials, amid escalating clashes between tribal fighters and government forces in the capital city, Sana'a. http://news.linktv.org/videos/armed-tribesmen-battle-yemeni-forces?start=0 Thousands of armed tribesmen are reported to be heading to the Yemeni capital to battle forces of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Several days of fighting in Sana'a have claimed the lives of at least 40 people. Al Jazeera's Bernard Smith reports. Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:33:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/armed-tribesmen-battle-yemeni-forces Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, Sanaa, Sadiq al-Ahmar, Taiz, Protest, Arab Spring, Civil war, Al Jazeera English Thousands of armed tribesmen are reported to be heading to the Yemeni capital to battle forces of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Several days of fighting in Sanaa have claimed the lives of at least forty people. Al Jazeera's Bernard Smith reports. http://news.linktv.org/videos/clashes-spread-across-yemen-raising-fears-of-civil-war?start=0 Clashes are continuing across Yemen in the growing conflict over President Ali Abdullah Saleh's refusal to step down. At least 15 people were reportedly killed overnight in Sana'a, and dozens have been killed since Monday. Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:05:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/clashes-spread-across-yemen-raising-fears-of-civil-war Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen, Sanaa, Taiz, Sadiq al-Ahmar, Protest, Arab Spring, Civil war, Democracy Now! Democracy Now! interviews independent journalist Iona Craig, who is reporting from the Yemeni capital city of Sana'a. Clashes are continuing across Yemen in the growing conflict over President Ali Abdullah Saleh's refusal to step down. At least 15 people were reportedly killed in overnight clashes in Sana'a. Dozens have been killed since Monday, when artillery explosions and machine-gun fire shattered a tenuous ceasefire that lasted less than 48 hours.