http://news.linktv.org Link TV News Videos (Filtered by topics: Houla massacre) en-us Fri, 13 Jul 2012 09:20:00 -0700 Copyright 2011 Link Media, Inc. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syrian-activists-220-killed-in-tremseh-massacre?start=0 Opposition activists say Syrian government troops have killed 220 people in a new massacre in the city of Hama, while rumors also circulate over the regime's possible use of chemical weapons. Fri, 13 Jul 2012 09:20:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syrian-activists-220-killed-in-tremseh-massacre Tremseh massacre, Syrian Civil War, Syria, Tremseh, Civilian casualties, Hama Governorate, Attack helicopter, Tank, Protest, Chemical weapon Opposition activists say Syrian government troops have killed 220 people in a new massacre in the city of Hama, while rumors also circulate over the regime's possible use of chemical weapons. http://news.linktv.org/videos/more-than-150-dead-in-new-syrian-massacre?start=0 Syrian government troops using artillery and attack helicopters have reportedly killed more than 150 people in the village of Tremseh in the central region of Hama, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has told the AFP news agency. Thu, 12 Jul 2012 16:54:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/more-than-150-dead-in-new-syrian-massacre Tremseh massacre, Syrian Civil War, Hama Governorate, Syria, Tremseh, Civilian casualties, Syrian army, Attack helicopter, Alawite, Sunni Islam Syrian government troops using artillery and attack helicopters have killed more than 150 people in the village of Tremseh in the central region of Hama, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has told the AFP news agency. "Government troops bombarded the village using tanks and helicopters," Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said on Thursday, putting the death toll at more than 150. Rula Amin reports from neighboring Lebanon. http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-report-says-children-being-used-as-human-shields-in-syria?start=0 WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. George Graham from Save the Children talks about a UN report on abuses against children in Syria, including their use as human shields. He describes a picture building of "a conflict whose principle victims are children." Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:35:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-report-says-children-being-used-as-human-shields-in-syria Human shield, Syrian Civil War, Save the Children, Syria, Civilian casualties, Houla massacre, 2012 al-Qubair massacre, Refugee, Child, United Nations WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. George Graham from Save the Children talks about a UN report he describes as "absolutely shocking." The report on the Syrian conflict details many abuses against children, including their use as human shields. Following the reported massacres in Houla and al-Qubair, Graham describes a picture building of "a conflict whose principle victims are children." 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/democracy-now-june-7-2012?start=134 Dozens of New York lawmakers and several advocacy groups are convening on Capitol Hill today to call on the Justice Department to investigate the NYPD's controversial "stop-and-frisk" policies. Eight American Muslims from New Jersey have filed a federal lawsuit calling on the NYPD to stop its intelligence-gathering program that targets Muslim and Arab communities. And we discuss the award-winning new documentary, "Five Broken Cameras," which tells the story of a Palestinian farmer who got a video camera to record his son's childhood, but ended up documenting the growth of the resistance movement to the Israeli separation wall in the West Bank village of Bil'in. Plus headlines, and more. Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:43:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-june-7-2012 NYPD, New York City stop-and-frisk program, New York City, Michael Bloomberg, US Department of Justice, African American, Hispanic and Latino Americans, Bil'in, Syria, United States WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. Pro-government forces in Syria are being accused of committing a new massacre with reports of more than 86 dead in Hama province. Hama residents say Syrian forces shelled a village before pro-government militants entered and killed dozens of civilians. The alleged attack comes less than two weeks after more than 100 civilians were reportedly killed in the village of Houla. The Syrian government has denied the latest allegations, and U.N. monitors say they are attempting to verify the death toll. The U.N. Security Council is due to hold a session on Syria later today. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-un-observers-blocked-from-visiting-site-of-new-massacre?start=0 Syria's opposition is blaming the government for another alleged massacre, which reportedly left scores of people dead in Hama province. More than 80 people were killed on Wednesday in the village of Mazraat al-Qabeer, actvists said. Thu, 07 Jun 2012 09:10:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-un-observers-blocked-from-visiting-site-of-new-massacre 2012 al-Qubair massacre, Syrian Civil War, Syria, al-Qubair, Hama Governorate, Robert Mood, United Nations, UN Security Council, Kofi Annan peace plan for Syria, Kofi Annan Syria's opposition is blaming the government for another alleged massacre, which reportedly left scores of people dead in Hama province. More than 80 people were killed on Wednesday in the village of Mazraat al-Qabeer, actvists said. UN observers trying to access the site say they are being blocked by the Syrian army. It all comes as United Nations envoy Kofi Annan prepares to address the UN Security Council to try to salvage his Syrian peace plan. Kristen Saloomey reports from the UN headquarters in New York and Rula Amin follows developments from Beirut in Lebanon. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syrian-government-expels-absent-foreign-diplomats?start=0 Syria barred a string of foreign diplomats Tuesday, as the country plunged into its most profound international isolation in decades. A US State Department spokesman said, "In almost every respect this is an empty gesture." Tue, 05 Jun 2012 16:18:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syrian-government-expels-absent-foreign-diplomats Houla massacre, Syrian Civil War, Syria, International isolation, Bashar al-Assad, Diplomacy, Kofi Annan peace plan for Syria, United States, US Ambassador to Syria, Europe Syria barred a string of US and European diplomats Tuesday, saying they were "no longer welcome" as the country plunged into its most profound international isolation in decades. US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said, "In almost every respect this is an empty gesture." http://news.linktv.org/videos/in-rare-public-speech-assad-denies-responsibility-for-massacre?start=0 Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has used his first public speech in five months to deny his government's involvement in last month's Houla massacre. Mon, 04 Jun 2012 16:36:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/in-rare-public-speech-assad-denies-responsibility-for-massacre Bashar al-Assad, Houla massacre, Syrian Civil War, Syria, Houla, Civilian casualties, Summary execution, Navi Pillay, Speech, United Nations Commission on Human Rights Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has used his first public speech in five months to deny his government's involvement in last month's Houla massacre. http://news.linktv.org/videos/official-syrian-report-blames-rebels-for-houla-massacre?start=0 The Syrian government has released a report clearing itself of any involvement in last week's massacre in Houla. Susan Rice, US ambassador to the United Nations, slammed the regime's version of events as "another blatant lie." Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:05:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/official-syrian-report-blames-rebels-for-houla-massacre Houla massacre, Syria, Syrian Civil War, Susan Rice, Houla, Sectarian Violence, Summary execution, United Nations Human Rights Council, Civilian casualties, Al-Qusayr The Syrian government has released a report clearing itself of any involvement in last week's massacre in Houla. Susan Rice, US ambassador to the United Nations, slammed the regime's version of events as "another blatant lie." 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/mosaic-news-060112?start=758 <p>Jordanians take to the streets against price hikes, Houthis agree to take part in Yemen's national dialogue, UN members warn of civil war in Syria on the Friday of the children of Houla, and more.</p> 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 Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke out against the massacre in the Syrian city of Houla, saying those responsible should be tried and condemned, while the US State Department says Iranians abetted thugs from the Assad regime in carrying out the massacre. During an interview with French television, Ahmadinejad also accused the West of spreading lies about Iran's nuclear program, insisting that Iran has a right to enrich uranium to 20 percent. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-060112?start=802 <p>Jordanians take to the streets against price hikes, Houthis agree to take part in Yemen's national dialogue, UN members warn of civil war in Syria on the Friday of the children of Houla, and more.</p> 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 A small protest against the ongoing massacre of Syrian civilians took place outside the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv, calling on Russia to stop backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and to expel the Syrian ambassador to Moscow. The demonstration was attended by Deputy Minister Ayoob Kara from Likud and religious leaders from the Druze and Samaritan communities in Israel. Children lay down in from of the embassy building to symbolize the 50 children killed in the Houla massacre. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-053112?start=787 In Syria, 14 people were killed Thursday, most in the shelling of Homs Province, reports BBC Arabic. The Syrian National Council called on UN observers to quickly head to al-Houla to protect the remaining civilians after a wave of people fled the region. Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-053112 Israel, Car bomb, Iran, Ghazaliya, Palestinians, Human rights in the United Arab Emirates, Iran-Israel relations, Syrian Civil War, Baku, Illegal immigration from Africa to Israel Presenter, Male #1 In Syria, 14 people were killed today, including nine who died in the shelling of the city of al-Qasir in Homs Province. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, rockets fell on the city of al-Houla as well. The Local Coordination Committees said Syrian regime forces attempted to take over al-Qasir and its surrounding villages. The Syrian National Council called on the international observers' delegation to quickly head to al-Houla to end the shelling, and protect the remaining civilians that are there after a wave of people fled the region. Reporter, Male #2 International pressure has not succeeded in ending the violence and the military operations, nor has it healed the region of al-Houla, which witnessed a massacre last week that was condemned by the world. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Coordination Committees, and a number of activists reported the shelling was resumed Thursday morning on al-Houla of Homs Province, and that a boy died this morning in Til Taw after being shot by a sniper. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said people are fleeing the areas getting shelled in fear of a new massacre, and heading toward other towns in the region of al-Houla. On the other hand, the Syrian authorities released 500 detainees, saying they have no blood on their hands. Guest, Female #1 (Syrian TV) Specialized institutions released 500 people who were involved in the events that Syria has been witnessing, since their hands were not stained with blood. Reporter, Male #2 In the latest news of defections, a group of defectors formed the armored brigade of Khan Shaykhun. They also burned a tank and captured a soldier, who later saluted the Free Army. Reporter, Male #2 In Damascus and Aleppo, as well as in a large number of areas, people are on strike, and shops are closed. On the other hand, there are attempts to urge or violently force people to open their shops. Reporter, Male #2 These young women did not hesitate to gather, rally, and protest to express their support. Reporter, Male #2 Politically, US State Secretary Hillary Clinton sharply criticized Russia over its rejection of any UN intervention in Syria. She warned that Russia's policies may lead to a civil war in the country. For his part, the head of the opposition Syrian National Council Burhan Ghalioun rejected Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov's accusation that he is inciting civil war. Ghalioun called on Moscow to cooperate with the international community. In a conference in Istanbul, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said "the massacres of the sort seen last weekend could plunge Syria into a catastrophic civil war." Guest, Male #4 (Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary-General) The UN did not deploy in Syria just to bear witness to the slaughter of innocents. We are not there to play the role of passive observer to unspeakable atrocities. Reporter, Male #2 The pressure and search for an exit from the Syrian crisis is ongoing. As for al-Houla, it continues to mourn its dead. On Thursday, it held a funeral for two of its dead amid angry chants. Essam Abdullah, BBC. http://news.linktv.org/videos/survivors-bear-witness-to-syrias-sectarian-nightmare?start=0 In an exclusive report from inside Houla, where more than 100 people were killed on Friday -- nearly half of them children -- eyewitnesses from the mainly Sunni town say the massacre was carried out by Shias and Alawites from neighboring areas. Wed, 30 May 2012 16:33:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/survivors-bear-witness-to-syrias-sectarian-nightmare Houla massacre, Syria, Syrian Civil War, Sectarian Violence, Houla, Sunni Islam, Shia Islam, Alawite, Civilian casualties, Sectarianism In a Channel 4 exclusive, Chief Correspondent Alex Thomson has the first report from inside Houla in Syria, where more than 100 people were killed on Friday, nearly half of them children. Eyewitnesses from the mainly Sunni town say the massacre was carried out by Shias and Alawites from neighboring towns. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-what-options-are-the-international-community-considering?start=0 Jon Snow is joined by International Editor Lindsey Hilsum and from Washington by Matt Frei to discuss what steps the international community may take in order to stop the violence in Syria. Wed, 30 May 2012 15:53:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-what-options-are-the-international-community-considering Syrian Civil War, Houla massacre, Syria, Bashar al-Assad, François Hollande, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Vladimir Putin, Russia, Turkey, Assad family Jon Snow is joined by International Editor Lindsey Hilsum and from Washington by Matt Frei to discuss what steps the international community may take in order to stop the violence in Syria. http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-may-30-2012?start=2809 In a divided decision, Britain's Supreme Court has upheld the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to Sweden over alleged sex crimes. Assange's attorney says the ruling sets an alarming precedent for judicial independence in Europe. With the global spotlight on the Assange case, WikiLeaks whistleblower Bradley Manning marks two years behind bars. Journalist Glenn Greenwald argues that Obama's secret "kill list" is "the most radical power a government can seize. And, after the United States and 11 other countries formally expel Syrian diplomats following a massacre of more than 100 people in the village of Houla, does this incident mark a tipping point in favor of foreign military intervention? Plus headlines, and more.<br /> Wed, 30 May 2012 12:31:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-may-30-2012 WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, Extradition, United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, Appeal, Bradley Manning, Houla massacre The United States and 11 other countries have formally expelled Syrian diplomats following a massacre of more than 100 people in the village of Houla. U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan now says Syria has reached a "tipping point" after more than a year of conflict. We're joined by Charles Glass, an award-winning journalist, author and broadcaster specializing in the Middle East. Glass reported from Syria last month for the New York Review of Books. The U.S. and 11 other countries have formally expelled Syrian diplomats following a massacre of over one hundred people in the village of Taldou, near Houla. Dozens of children were killed in the Houla attack, which marked the deadliest single incident of the 15-month uprising against Bashar al-Assad. In a coordinated action, countries including Germany, France, Britain, Canada and Japan ordered the departure of Syrian ambassadors from their capitals. In Washington, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said Syria's top diplomat in the US has been told to leave within three days and also blamed Iran for the massacre. VICTORIA NULAND: This morning, we called in Syrian Charge d'Affaires Zuheir Jabbour and informed him that he is no longer welcome in the US 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. That was State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland. Meanwhile, UN Arab League envoy to Syria Kofi Annan has said the country has reached a ”tipping point” after more than a year of conflict. On Tuesday, Kofi Annan made an emergency trip to Damascus and met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. KOFI ANNAN: I shared with President Assad my assessment that the six-point plan is not being implemented as it must. We are at the tipping point. The Syrian people do not want their future to be one of bloodshed and division, yet the killings continue and the abusers are still with us today. Earlier, U.N. human rights spokesman Rupert Colville said initial investigations suggested most of those killed in the village of Taldou were summarily executed. For more, we are going to Charles Glass, award winning journalist, author, broadcaster specializing in the Middle east. He joins us from London. His most recent piece for the New York Review of Books is called "Syria: The Citadel and the War." Charles Glass, welcome to DEMOCRACY NOW! Can you respond to the latest in Syria and then talk about what people were saying in Aleppo and Damascus where you have just returned from? I think the massacre at Houla and Taldou [UNINTELLIGIBLE] are clear indications of how urgent it is to find … to force both sides in the conflict, the opposition and the regime, to negotiate a settlement, which would ultimately probably mean a change of regime, but certainly a transition. In the absence of that, you will have the Russians arming the government, you'll have the Saudis, the Qataris, possibly the US, Turkey, arming the opposition, which can only exacerbate the civil war. As remember from civil wars in Iraq and Lebanon, more massacres will then take place. This was the biggest fear amongst people that I spoke to in both Damascus and Aleppo. It is a big fear that most of the minorities – remember that Syria is a country composed of many minorities: Christians, [UNINTELLIGIBLE], Kurds, Armenians and others — and those minorities are terribly afraid of massacres that might take place if the conflict escalates. Charles Glass, who are the Shabiha militiamen who were allegedly responsible for this massacre? “Shabiha” is an Arabic term that means roughly "ghost." It also means someone who disguises himself. Initially, the Shabiha were small-time gangsters in the port areas around Latakia. They are occasionally called upon to do favors for the Alawites of the regime. Some of the favors involve being at checkpoints with soldiers, being at checkpoints with the police. They will go into people's houses as they did in Homs and commit murders. They will intimidate people. They are above, clearly above the law. If they were, indeed, as everyone suspects, involved in the massacres in Houla and Taldou, then they should be held responsible. One of the things that happened very early in the uprising in Syria, which began with demonstrations by students in the southern town of Daraa was that the governor of Daraa was responsible for the torture of children who were arrested during the demonstrations and after the demonstrations. Because Bashar al-Assad did not arrest the governor, who is a relation of his, immediately, a lot of people who believed that Bashar al-Assad could be a reformer lost their faith in him. There are still some people — many people — in Syria who support the regime, but if he does not do something about this and doesn't bring those responsible to account, he will lose even more support. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking yesterday, said that certain countries were using this massacre, the Houla massacre, as "a pretext for voicing demands relating to the need for military measures to be taken." One of the things you point out in your article is that the majority of people you spoke to in Aleppo and Damascus are opposed to any kind of military intervention in the conflict. Well, they all remember what happened when the US invaded Iraq and they do not want that kind of chaos. They do not want a total destruction of the state and then a prolonged civil war with the ethnic and sectarian cleansings that they saw in Iraq. Remember, they received over 2 million refugees from Iraq who were fleeing the chaos that came after the American invasion. They do not want to be subject to that themselves. Surely, those who use the massacre as justification to call for western airstrikes or western invasion should think that actually this massacre should be a reminder of what could happen not only without an invasion, but because of an invasion. That makes it all the more urgent for pressure to come from Russia on the government and from the West and Saudi Arabia and Qatar on the Opposition to sit down and hammer out binding agreements that will end this conflict before it destroys the country. US General Martin Dempsey, the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed the possible military intervention in Syria during an interview on Fox. GENERAL MARTIN DEMPSEY: There's always a military option. But that military option should always be wielded carefully because one thing we've learned about war, I have personally learned personally about war, is that it has a dynamic all its own. It takes on a life of its own. So you will always find military leaders to be somewhat cautious about the use of force because we're never entirely sure what comes out of the other side. But that said, it may come to a point with Syria because of the atrocities. That was US General Dempsey. Charles Glass, your response? The general makes a good point — that you cannot predict the outcome of an invasion. I think one of the outcomes, is that it might unite a lot of the Syrians against an invasion. Syria has a long history of fighting foreigners when they came in. When the French invaded in 1920, and kept the country under French mandate from 1920 to 1945, they fought and rebelled almost every year. Large sections of Damascus and other cities in Syria were destroyed by French artillery in order to keep French rule. And they haven't forgotten. They haven't forgotten that. They still feel very strongly Arab, very strongly Syrian and want to preserve their sovereignty. A western invasion is very much feared. Even more than a western invasion, a Turkish invasion are feared. I spoke to many Armenians in Aleppo. There is a large Armenian community in Aleppo. They remember the Armenian massacres of the First World War and they do not want to see Armenian troops coming in, nor to the Kurds of northeast Syria want to see the Turks coming in because the Turkish record of treatment of Kurds in Turkey is appalling. Earlier this year, DEMOCRACY NOW! spoke to Karam Nachar. He is a cyber activist working with Syrian protesters via social media platforms. He has advocated for international intervention. KARAM NACHAR: While I do realize that liberals around the world in particular are very wary of the replication of the Iraq scenario for instance. The world, I think, should know that this is not Iraq. This is a society that has been mobilizing against the regime for the past year. There is a humanitarian disaster unfolding on the ground. There is a moral responsibility to protect the Syrian people. This is not a perfect situation. It is complicated. It will require a lot of money and a lot courage and a lot of involvement on the part of the international community … Charles Glass, your comments on what Karam Nachar had to say? Mr. Nachar has every right to call for help from any corner he can because people are being killed in Syria. But those who are contemplating being the intermediator should think very carefully about the consequences of their actions. As the general said, you can't predict what that outcome will be. It will certainly raise the stakes. The Syrian army is not an entirely demoralized army the way the Iraqi army was after fifteen years of sanctions and after losing wars in Kuwait and Iran. The Syrian army is well armed, well supported by the Russians. It could lead to very serious — very serious —disputes between the US and Russia along the lines of the Cold war. I do not know anyone wants to go back to that, especially now when there is the chance with so much leverage from the west and from Russia on the two sides, there is the chance to force them to meet and to talk about a way of solving this peacefully. And what do you envision that pressure to look like? Particularly, talk about the role of Russia that has sided with Syria, but also cited constantly how it felt betrayed around the US NATO intervention in Libya. Russia has its own interests in the region. It also fears a Salafist uprising in Syria as much as it did in Chechnya. Whether that is a pretext or genuine is very difficult to say. But the Russians have — because they arm the Syrian regime and they are the only ones arming them with weapons they need, they could cut that supply, or threaten to cut that supply, if the regime does not come to the table. Similarly, the west and Saudi Arabia and Qatar could threaten to cut off all aid to the opponents if they don't come to the table. Charles Glass, very quickly: Iran. We have ten seconds. The US is blaming Iran for what is going on in Syria. Well I think Iran could blame the US for what is going on in Syria in the sense that the reason most of the outside powers turned against the regime was not because of human-rights violations, which the US tolerated for years when the CIA used to render suspects to Syria. The reason they do not like the regime anymore is because of its close relationship with Iran. Charles Glass, I want to thank you for being with us, former ABC News Chief, Middle East correspondent, spent 10 days in Syria, in Damascus and Aleppo. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-053012?start=1175 Head of the UN observers' team in Syria, Robert Mood, said he was deeply disturbed by the discovery of 13 dead bodies with their hands tied in Deir az-Zour, while massive demonstrations broke out across Syria after the Houla massacre, reports Future TV. Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-053012 Iran, Israel, Iran-Israel relations, Sudan, Syria, Ahmed Shafiq, 2012 South Sudan–Sudan border conflict, Zainab Alkhawaja, Afghanistan War, Iran-Saudi Arabia relations Presenter, Female #1 The UN Security Council began a closed-door session to discuss two reports by the international observers' delegation in Syria. The UN-Arab League envoy to Syria assured the Security Council that conducting direct talks between the Syrian government and the opposition is currently impossible. The envoy indicated that the opposition is no longer fearful, and it is unlikely that the uprising will end without a political solution. German ambassador to the UN, Peter Wittig, who presided over the session, expressed his hope that the Houla massacre would prompt some of the member countries to open their eyes. Presenter, Male #1 The international pressure on al-Assad's regime did not reduce the impact of the vicious military operations conducted by his brigades. Reporter, Male #2 This is a sample of the brutal and severe killing of the Syrian people by al-Assad's brigades and gangs. The entire world has not deterred the Syrian regime, which has become increasingly more insurgent and brutal, from continuously and openly shelling Syrian cities and towns with light and heavy weaponry. Reporter, Male #2 Several cities in Old Homs and al-Rastan City in Homs Province have been subject to artillery shelling, which led to the destruction of dozens of homes, in light of the deployment of military reinforcements to the al-Nozha neighborhood. According to activists, dozens of bodies arrived to the field hospital in al-Qusayr in Homs, as a result of the helicopter shelling of residential areas. Meanwhile, a leaked video from a member of the regime's shabeha showed the discovery of mass graves in Homs. In Damascus, fierce clashes erupted between regime forces and members of the Free Syrian Army in the Mashdal area in the suburb of Sayyida Zeinab. Reporter, Male #2 It is reported that continuous explosions by artillery rockets were heard east of the capital, as well as in the eastern edge of the countryside of Damascus. Violent shelling was also carried out on Duma City in the countryside of Damascus, where civilian houses were targeted by al-Assad's brigades. Reporter, Male #2 Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that two defected military members were killed in violent clashes that broke out between regime forces and the Free Army in the town of Kfar Zeeta in Hama, which is enduring fierce artillery and mortar shelling. Reporter, Male #2 Al-Assad's brigades continued their military operation, ignoring the presence of UN observers. They launched strikes with helicopters on the villages of Batbo and al-Jina, and Atarib Town in Aleppo Province. Meanwhile, clashes between the revolutionaries and regime forces intensified after the military operation escalated in Aleppo Province. Fighting was documented in al-Maghara, as well as defections in Idlib City and the village of Heesh. Activists uploaded videos online showing al-Assad's shabeha destroying houses of displaced residents. Reporter, Male #2 It seems that the massacres committed by al-Assad's regime are being unveiled daily in front of the international observers' delegation. Head of the UN observers' team, Robert Mood, said he was deeply disturbed by the discovery of 13 dead bodies with their hands tied in Deir az-Zour. In light of these dramatic developments on the ground, massive demonstrations broke out across Syria. Idlib City saw enormous marches condemning the Houla massacre, and demanding the execution of President Assad. Assad's brigades also shelled al-Hamidiya neighborhood of Homs to prevent the residents from holding a funeral for film director Bassel Shehadeh, who was killed by the gunfire of the regime's forces. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-escalating-war-of-words-over-houla-massacre?start=0 Speaking as the UN Security Council condemned Syria's government for the massacre of at least 108 people in the town of Houla, the UK's ambassador to the United Nations, Mark Lyall-Grant, said "There are no circumstances whatsoever that justify the use of heavy weapons and tanks against civilian population." Meanwhile, his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Jaafari denounced what he described as "a tsunami of lies" from the UN.<br /> Tue, 29 May 2012 14:20:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-escalating-war-of-words-over-houla-massacre Houla massacre, Syria, UN Security Council, Syrian Civil War, Houla, Mark Lyall Grant, Bashar Jaafari, Civilian casualties, Summary execution, Tank Speaking as the UN Security Council condemned Syria's government for the massacre of at least 108 people in the town of Houla, the UK's ambassador to the United Nations, Mark Lyall-Grant, said "There are no circumstances whatsoever that justify the use of heavy weapons and tanks against civilian population." Meanwhile, his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Jaafari denounced what he described as "a tsunami of lies" from the UN. http://news.linktv.org/videos/raw-video-houla-massacre?start=0 WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. Horrifying images from an amateur video uploaded on a social media website are believed to come from the Houla massacre which killed over 100 people last Friday. Tue, 29 May 2012 10:28:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/raw-video-houla-massacre Syria, Houla massacre, Houla, Syrian Civil War, Artillery, Summary execution, Civilian casualties, Raw video, Telegraph.co.uk WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. Horrifying images from an amateur video uploaded on a social media website are believed to come from the Houla massacre which killed over 100 people last Friday. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syrian-diplomats-expelled-following-houla-massacre?start=0 Western powers are stepping up diplomatic pressure on Syria over the killing of civilians, with three countries including Australia expelling senior Syrian diplomats. This follows the massacre of 108 people in Houla on Friday, including many children and women. Tue, 29 May 2012 08:44:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syrian-diplomats-expelled-following-houla-massacre Houla massacre, Syria, Syrian Civil War, Houla, Summary execution, Ceasefire, Bob Carr, Kofi Annan peace plan for Syria, UN Security Council, Artillery WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. Western powers are stepping up diplomatic pressure on Syria over the killing of civilians, with three countries including Australia expelling senior Syrian diplomats. This follows the massacre of 108 people in Houla on Friday, including many children and women, reportedly by forces loyal to the Syrian regime. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-052912?start=35 BBC Arabic reports that the US has decided to expel the Syrian charge d'affaires in Washington, Zuheir Jabbour, on account of the Houla massacre. France and Australia have similarly asked Syrian diplomats to leave and close their embassies. Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-052912 Israel, Syrian Civil War, Sudan, Ramallah, Yemen, Iran, Syria, Beersheba, Houla massacre, Egyptian presidential election, 2012 Presenter, Male #1 Syrian Local Coordination Committees said that 55 people, including six children, were killed today, most of them in Homs City. Opposition sources indicated that armed dissidents killed 20 soldiers in violent clashes that were witnessed in the town of Atarib in Aleppo Province. Demonstrations broke out across the province to support the cities and towns subject to the shelling. Reporter, Female #1 According to activists, this is the battlefield in the residential town of Atarib in Aleppo Province, where fierce clashes continued between regime forces and the Free Syrian Army for the second consecutive day. Videos uploaded online showed the impact of the shelling that the town has endured. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that regime forces withdrew from the town to bombard it from a distance. Guest, Male #2 Assad's brigades violated the ceasefire by launching rockets on the town in a violent and indiscriminate shelling, until dark clouds covered the town of Atarib. In addition, the Free Army was forced to respond to the Assad brigades' assaults, which caused violent clashes to erupt. Reporter, Female #1 Meanwhile, the UN observers' delegation was visiting the town of Azaz, which welcomed them in its own way. News from Aleppo was absent from Syrian state media. Syrian TV said special organizations raided what it referred to as "nests" of the armed groups in Hama, and confiscated a large amount of weapons and ammunition. Guest, Female #2 (Syrian TV) ?An explosive device equipped with a timer, PK machine guns, and a large number of bullets, ammunition, hand grenades and poison gas... Reporter, Female #1 On the other hand, the activists' cameras captured scenes of what they said were special organizations carrying out their real mission of raiding and robbing the activists' homes. In Damascus, strikes continued for a second day in certain areas of Old Damascus, such as the neighborhoods of al-Sina'a in Shaghur and Halbouni in the central parts of the capital. The opposition's Shaam News Network documented 58 sites on strike in Damascus on Monday. In the neighborhood of at-Tadamun, hundreds have come out to a funeral for Mohamed Faraa, a child who was killed by the gunfire of security forces, according to activists. Reporter, Female #1 These days, it seems like the only thing consistent in Syria's reality is the chaotic situation on the ground, which is developing separately from the changing course of diplomatic and international activity. Zaina al-Hayyam, BBC. Presenter, Male #1 In this context, the Geneva-based UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said that in its preliminary investigations, at least 20 of the victims in the Houla massacre, which took place last Friday, were killed in artillery shelling. The preliminary reports added that the remaining victims, including children, were executed nearby. Presenter, Male #1 A spokesman for the U.S. State Department told the BBC that the U.S. administration decided to expel the Syrian charge d'affaires in Washington, Zuheir Jabbour, in response to the Houla massacre. The spokesman added that this decision was made in coordination with allied countries, affirming that the United States holds the Syrian government responsible for this massacre. Presenter, Male #1 French President Francois Hollande announced the expulsion of the Syrian ambassador in Paris on account of the Houla massacre. Australia also announced that it has requested the charge d'affaires, as well as other diplomats in the Syrian embassy in Canberra, to leave Australia within 72 hours. Presenter, Male #1 As for British Foreign Minister William Hague, he reaffirmed the commitment of his country and its allies to pressuring the Syrian regime to adhere to the Annan plan. This comes after a decision was issued to expel the Syrian diplomats from London. Hague added that he agrees with Russia on the necessity of Damascus' commitment to the Annan plan, denying that there is any plan for military intervention.