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Israel, Syria Exchange Fire

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:57:00 -0700

Mideast border tensions flared again as Israel opened fire on Syria after an Israeli vehicle was struck across the Golan Heights ceasefire line. Syria claims it destroyed the vehicle because it crossed into its territory, which Israel denies. Syria warned attempts to violate its sovereignty would be "met with immediate retaliation."

Raw Video: Fierce Attack on Syrian Opposition in Qusayr

Mon, 20 May 2013 08:56:00 -0700

This amateur video, shot over the weekend, shows Syrian rebels under intense attack as their stronghold of Qusayr is shelled and they scramble to save themselves and fallen comrades. The death toll is mounting, but Reuters reports that several dead include Syrian government troops and their Hezbollah supporters.

Syria, Hezbollah Bombard Key Rebel Town

Sun, 19 May 2013 19:59:00 -0700

Syrian government troops have launched a major offensive to retake the strategically important rebel stronghold of Qusayr near Lebanon, and killed dozens, mostly civilians trapped by the fighting. Syrian forces are reportedly being supported by Hezbollah militants, and Israeli officials are vowing to take action. Some 60 percent of Qusayr is now controlled by Syrian troops, an activist told the New York Times.

Raw Video: Obama, Turkey's Erdogan Say Assad Must Go

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:11:00 -0700

President Obama, speaking at a joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, says that Turkey and the U.S. agree that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad must give up power to a transitional government.

'Heart-Eating Syrian Rebel' Rattles West

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:54:00 -0700

This extremely graphic video apparently showing a Syrian rebel cutting out and biting the heart of a dead government soldier has shaken Western nations already concerned about backing the forces battling Bashar al-Assad's regime. Human Rights Watch has identified the fighter as Abu Sakkar, a commander with the Farouq Brigades, one of the most prominent rebel groups. “I swear to God we will eat your hearts and your livers, you soldiers of Bashar the dog,” he declares. The Syrian Opposition Coalition said it condemns the “horrific and inhumane act."

Obama Slams Reported IRS Right-Wing Witch Hunt

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:11:00 -0700

President Barack Obama held a joint press conference in Washington with British Prime Minister David Cameron as the men prepare for the G8 summit in Northern Ireland. In a wide-ranging discussion, Obama slammed as "outrageous" alleged IRS selective targeting of members of conservative groups, complained about the "political circus" surrounding the Benghazi consulate attack, and addressed the possibility of Russia's help in negotiating a political solution in Syria.

Turkey Blames Syria for Deadly Bombs

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:47:00 -0700

Turkish officials are charging that twin car bombs that killed 46 people in the border town of Reyhanli were brought in from Syria, and are calling on the international community to take action against the nation. Police have busted nine men they say are linked to Syrian intelligence. Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan visits Washington this week and is expected to again press President Obama to provide military assistance to the Syrian rebels.

US, Russia Agree to Syria Conference

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:39:00 -0700

Russia and the US have agreed to arrange an international conference aimed at ending the crisis in Syria. They plan to involve both the government of President Bashar al-Assad and the rebels fighting to overthrow him. A visit by US Secretary of State John Kerry to Moscow appears to have helped bridge the gap between the powers, who have long held opposing views on the conflict. "Russia and the US will push the Syrian government and opposition to reach a political resolution," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Democracy Now: 'Ruthless' Syrian Army Taking No Prisoners

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:03:00 -0700

As the US edges toward increased intervention in Syria, long-time Mideast correspondent Robert Fisk tells Democracy Now! of his recent encounters with the Syrian army, a "ruthless" organization whose troops are racking up kills and take no prisoners. Fisk believes the Syrian government is winning the war, but he also he zings President Obama's "pitiful" backing of the recent Israeli missile strikes. Americans aren't learning the real truth in Syria as too many media outlets have become mere mouthpieces for US power, he complains.

Syrian 'Tech Army' Hacks The Onion

Tue, 07 May 2013 09:32:00 -0700

In a notably tone-deaf global culture clash the Syrian Electronic Army has hacked the Onion's Twitter feed to gush about Syria's beleaguered President Bashar Al-Assad and zing Israel. One of the funnybone-challeged hackers told the New York Times that the satirical Onion was targeted because the site has made fun of Assad, adding: "We hope people take it in good humor." The not-particularly-amused Onion has deleted the tweets. The tech "army" last hacked AP, tweeting false reports about White House bombs that sent the stock market plunging.

Tensions Spike at Israel-Syria Border

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:55:00 -0700

Israel is on high alert as it gears up for possible retaliation after launching a second set of air strikes on military targets in Syria. The Israeli government has sent more tanks to its northern border, and is arranging to station two missile batteries there. The strikes were carried out to prevent Iranian missiles from reaching Lebanon's Hezbollah, said Israeli officials.

Syria Warns of 'All Options' After New Israel Air Strikes

Sun, 05 May 2013 22:11:00 -0700

Israeli warplanes have carried out a second set of air strikes against military targets in Syria, and Syrian officials are warning that the attack "opened the door to all possibilities" of retaliation. Several critical military facilities were struck, and dozens of troops stationed near the presidential palace were killed, a Syrian military official told the New York Times. Israel refused to comment on the attack, the second in three days.

Syrian Civil War: US Wrestles with 'No-Win' Military Intervention

Fri, 03 May 2013 15:47:00 -0700

Washington is wrestling with a moral-political-military equation over Syria. The question is how, if at all, Americans might support getting involved. President Obama's warning still stands: if Damascus uses -- or has used -- chemical weapons, it can expect Washington to loosen the brakes placed on intervention so far. Limited air strikes, using drones or setting up a no-fly zone? There just isn't any political groundswell in favour of military action.

Can Fresh Chaos in Iraq Be Prevented?

Fri, 03 May 2013 10:13:00 -0700

With sectarian violence soaring once again and the conflict in Syria spilling across the border, Iraqi leaders warn that civil war is approaching. PBS asks a former US ambassador to Iraq and Iraq's former deputy ambassador to the UN if there is any way to stop the violence.

CNN: Pentagon Prepping Syria Military Options

Wed, 01 May 2013 08:02:00 -0700

The Pentagon is fine-tuning military options in Syria in the wake of reports of suspected use of chemical weapons, according to CNN. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel wants specific plans to present to President Obama should he decide to move against Syria, a senior official tells the network. One option reportedly involves firing cruise missles from Navy warships. Obama said yesterday he needs proof that chemical weapons have been used before any action is taken.

Raw Video: Obama Urges Caution on Syria, Cheers Collins

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:23:00 -0700

President Obama emphasized in a wide-ranging press conference today that he would consider action against Syria only if it can be absoutely confirmed that the government used chemical weapons. He also defended the FBI's work in monitoring the activities of the suspected Boston Marathon bombers, and cheered NBA center Jason Collins for coming out gay.

Syrian TV: New Damascus Blast Kills 13 People

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:32:00 -0700

A huge explosion in central Damascus at the former Interior Ministry building has killed at least 13 people and injured 70, Syrian TV is reporting. The blast occurred a day after seven were killed by a car bomb targeting the convey transporting Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halki. The prime minister was not injured.

Syrian Prime Minister Survives Assassination Bomb

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:52:00 -0700

Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halki has survived a devastating car bombing in Damascus that targeted his convoy in the upscale Mazzeh district where many senior government officials live. At least seven people, including the prime minister's bodyguards, were killed, and another guard and the driver are in critical condition.

US, UK Accuse Assad of Using Chemical Weapons

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:10:00 -0700

Has the "red line" been crossed? The US and UK say they believe that the Assad regime has used chemical weapons in the Syrian conflict -- a move President Obama previously called a "game changer." The White House plans to consult with allies and seek more proof.

Raw Video: Ancient Aleppo Mosque Destroyed

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:28:00 -0700

After surviving almost a thousand years of turbulence that included the Crusades and the Mongol invasion, the ancient minaret of Aleppo's Great Mosque has been destroyed. The Assad regime and opposition fighters blame each other for the blast at the UNESCO site.

80 Killed in New Syrian Massacre

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 20:21:00 -0700

At least 80 people, including several women and children, have been cut down by Syrian army fire in the town of Jdeydet al-Fadel in the suburbs of Damascus, accoring to oppostion activists. The army reportedly stormed the town after five days of heavy fighting. The toll could be as high as 250, reports the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The deaths came as Secretary of State John Kerry promised the US would double its "non-lethal aid" to the opposition.

Assad: West Will Pay Heavy Price for 'Aiding al-Qaeda'

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:22:00 -0700

In a rare televised interview, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad accused the West of aiding al-Qaeda in the country's civil war and -- drawing a parallel with Western aid to Afghan rebels in the '80s -- warned that Europe and the US would later pay a heavy price.

Lebanese Villagers Take Up Arms Against Syrian Rebels

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:51:00 -0700

As the conflict in Syria continues to escalate, it is increasingly spilling over into neighboring countries. Lebanese villagers near the border with Syria have formed armed militia groups to patrol the outskirts of their areas. They claim their villages are being attacked and residents kidnapped or killed. Meanwhile, elements from the Free Syrian Army threatened to attack Hezbollah sites in Lebanon, saying it is in response to the group sending fighters to join Syrian regime forces.

Government Air Strikes Kill More Civilians Across Syria

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 09:00:00 -0700

There have been fresh reports of more civilian casualties in Syria - opposition activists claim government air strikes killed 16 people on Sunday in the north east of the country. These unverified images are said to show Saturday's air attack in Idlib province in which a UK based Syrian Human rights agency claimed at least 18 civilians died. While both sides have been accused of war crimes the agency has accused Syrian forces of deliberately targeting civilians. Government and rebel forces are blaming each other for the destruction of a seventh century mosque. Amateur video shows the Omari mosque in Deraa being destroyed after a sustained attack. The building carries special symbolism for the Syrian opposition - in the early says of the uprising it had served as a meeting point and makeshift clinic.

Syria: Assad Regime Accused of Deliberate Air Strikes Against Civilians

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:15:00 -0700

Human Rights Watch, a US-based rights group, today accused Syria of war crimes by indiscriminate and sometimes deliberate air strikes against civilians, killing at least 4,300 people since last summer. These include the targeting of crowds of people lined up outside bakeries, waiting for bread.

Palestinian 'Double Refugees' Flee Syria for Gaza

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 05:27:00 -0700

The Syrian civil war has forced thousands of Palestinians to flee the country. Many of these "double refugees" have gone to Lebanon, but some have made their way to Gaza, where they say they have met a warm welcome despite the tough living conditions.

Raw Video: Dramatic Rescue in Damascus Gun Battle

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:38:00 -0700

An injured woman caught in the middle of a gun battle in Damascus is dragged to safety in this video released by Syrian activists. Fighting between rebels and Bashar al-Assad's forces has intensified in the Syrian capital this week.

Syria: Deadly Car Bomb Rocks Central Damascus

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:51:00 -0700

At least 15 people have been killed after a car bomb exploded in central Damascus. Dozens more were injured. State TV is calling it a suicide attack by terrorists. Al Jazeera's Rula Amin reports from Beirut in neighboring Lebanon.

Raw Video: Kerry Urges Turkey, Israel Reconcile to Aid Peace

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 09:30:00 -0700

US Secretary of State John Kerry is on tour in Istanbul, ahead of his third visit to Israel. Kerry discussed Iran's nuclear program, the Syrian conflict and urged Turkey to restore diplomatic relations with Israel for the benefit of the Middle East peace process.

Foreign Fighters Clash with Each Other in Syria

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:25:00 -0700

Many groups of the Free Syrian Army include foreign fighters who came to Syria under the banner of Jihad. This report from BBC Arabic showed video recordings of confrontations and exchanged insults and ridicule between members of Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas Brigade, a Shiite group fighting to protect holy shrines, and the Sunni al-Nusra Front. Meanwhile, Syrian regime forces remain in control of the center of the capital Damascus, but the battle for the the capital is intensifying and the nature of it remains unclear.

6,000 Dead: March Is Deadliest Month Yet in Syria Conflict

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:21:00 -0700

March was the bloodiest month yet in Syria's conflict, according to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It estimates that over 6,000 people were killed, a third of them civilians, including 300 children. Almost nowhere is sacred. Damascus University was hit by rebel mortar bombs on Thursday, leaving 15 students dead. And 120,000 is the group's unofficial estimate for the total number killed throughout Syria's conflict since it first began almost two years ago. The city centre has seen some of the fiercest fighting. It's a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad's forces and viewed as a prize by insurgents. They've encircled the centre and have intensified attacks this week as they push to end four decades of Assad family rule. President Assad labels them terrorists and claims they're funded by Gulf and other foreign powers.

In Syria, Citizen Journalists Turn a Cautious Eye on Rebels

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 09:44:00 -0700

Syria's opposition is made of many groups with different agendas, and many say the new reality in rebel-held areas has its own set of problems. Citizen journalists who used to report on abuses carried out by President Bashar al-Assad now cover issues emerging in 'liberated' areas: guns, lawlessness, theft, kidnapping and lack of services.

Obama Urges Tougher Gun Laws in US, Weakens International Arms Treaty at UN

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:05:00 -0700

While US President Barack Obama has forcefully called out Congress for not passing gun control, the United States has been one of the leading countries blocking a global treaty to regulate the $70 billion international arms trade, torpedoing it last summer and dragging its feet on it this week at the United Nations. While Iran, Syria, and North Korea are generating headlines for officially blocking the treaty, less attention has been paid to the role of the US -- acceding to pressure from outside groups including the National Rifle Association -- in stalling its progress. Democracy Now! is joined by Andrew Feinstein, author of "The Shadow World: Inside the Global Arms Trade," to discuss the issue.

Unemployed Blogger Becomes Syria Conflict Arms Expert

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 02:30:00 -0700

An former admin worker in Britain with no military experience has become one of the world's top authorities on weapons being used in the Syrian civil war, largely through searching hundreds of YouTube channels. Eliot Higgins of the influential "Brown Moses" blog talks to NOS about the conflict and about how he gained so much knowledge in the space of a year.

Students Killed in Damascus University Mortar Attack

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:01:00 -0700

Fifteen students were killed and a number of others injured, some critically, after mortar shells fell on the college of architecture at Damascus University. At Damascus International Airport, the Free Syrian Army targeted an Iranian cargo military plane allegedly carrying weapons, causing it to explode as it was landing. Meanwhile, Turkey denied deporting Syrian refugees after clashes erupted yesterday at the Suleiman Shah camp, claiming instead that 50 to 60 of the residents returned to Syria "voluntarily."

Syrian Refugees Clash with Turkish Police

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:47:00 -0700

Syrian refugees at the Suleiman Shah relief camp in the city of Akcakale near the Turkish border, clashed with military police after a protest against poor living conditions in the camp descended into violence. Police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds. Residents say the protest began after a faulty electrical outlet set a tent on fire, while a Turkish camp official said the residents were angered when 200 Syrians were turned away from the already overcrowded camp. Reuters reports.

Western-backed Syrian Opposition Chief Resigns

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 12:31:00 -0700

The head of Syria's main opposition group resigned on Sunday. Moaz Alkhatib was picked to lead the Western and Gulf-backed National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces in November. His departure comes after heavy criticism for offering President Bashar al-Assad an exit deal.

In Transition, Can Lebanon Escape Syria's Shadow?

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 16:20:00 -0700

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who called for a national unity government. One of the major hurdles facing Lebanon is how to handle neighboring Syria's civil war, which shows no signs of peace any time soon.

Will Turkey and PKK Grasp Unique Opportunity for Peace?

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:20:00 -0700

After 30 years of conflict, the imprisoned head of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Abdallah Ocalan, yesterday issued a statement calling for a ceasefire with Turkey and the withdrawal of PKK fighters from Turkey to northern Iraq. Nicole Watts, Professor of Political Science at San Francisco State University and an expert on Kurdish affairs, explains why Turkey could be willing, now more than ever, to make peace with the PKK.

Syria: Blast Kills Key Pro-Assad Sunni Cleric in Damascus

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:55:00 -0700

A senior pro-government cleric is among dozens who were killed in a suicide attack in the Syrian capital Damascus. Mohammed Said al-Bouti was one of only a handful of Sunni clerics close to the Assad government. At least 84 people were wounded in the powerful blast.

ln Israel, Obama Warns Syria on Chemical Weapons

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:30:00 -0700

The first day of President Obama's Israel visit included a press conference with PM Benyamin Netanyahu where he issued a stern warning to the Syrian regime about chemical weapons. Obama said use of chemical weapons would be a "serious and tragic mistake" and Assad would be held accountable.

Raw Video: Syria Asks UN to Investigate Alleged Chemical Weapons Attack

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:21:00 -0700

The Syrian ambassador to the UN Bashar Ja'afari has asked the United Nations to establish a "technical mission" to look into allegations that chemical weapons were used by the Syrian opposition in an attack near Aleppo this week. In his statement, Ja'afari reiterated that the Syrian government has not and would not use such weapons on its own people. Opposition groups have blamed the regime for the attack, while some commentators have questioned if it even took place.

'Chemical Attack' Outside Allepo Kills 25, Says Syrian State TV

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:23:00 -0700

Syria's government accused rebels of firing a chemical weapon on Tuesday for the first time in the two-year-old civil war, calling it the "first act" of a newly announced opposition interim government. Syria's regime accused rebel fighters of firing a chemical weapon at a town in the country's north, hours after the opposition had chosen a prime minister to oversee areas freed from government control. But a spokesman for Syria's rebel command said the regime had fired Scud missile equipped with a chemical warhead on the area. The official news agency, Sana, said the attack had occurred in Khan al-Assal, near Aleppo, killing 25 people. Syria has one of the world's largest stockpiles of chemical weapons and both sides have made claim and counter-claim about use of the weapons. The state-run news agency said 25 people have been killed in an alleged rebel chemical attack in northern Syria. Rebels in northern Syria deny the government claim and blamed regime forces for the missile attack on Khan al-Assad village in northern Aleppo province. Neither of the accusations could be verified. Pictures on state controlled Syrian Television showed casualties on stretchers in what appears to be a hospital ward. They say victims were taken to a hospital in a government-controlled area in Aleppo.

Raw Video: Kerry Says Syria Civil War Is Becoming 'Global Catastrophe'

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:23:00 -0700

US Secretary of State John Kerry said the longer Syria's two-year civil war goes on, the greater the danger of its institutions collapsing and extremists getting their hands on the Arab country's vast chemical weapons arsenal.

Syrian Opposition Activist: Arming Rebels Not the Answer

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:25:00 -0700

Today marks the second anniversary of the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a conflict that has killed more than 70,000 people and created at least 1 million refugees. We're joined by Rim Turkmani, an astrophysicist and member of the Syrian Civil Democratic Alliance who's in New York meeting with Security Council members discussing possible political solutions to the situation in Syria. Turkmani warns that Syrian voices for non-violence are being ignored as foreign actors on both sides of the conflict fuel an armed conflict. "There is a systematic effort to marginalize people like us inside Syria and focus only on the armed rebels -- they are the ones stealing all the headlines," Turkmani says. "Why? Because yes, there are certain actors, regional and international, who see this as a proxy war and as an opportunity to fight their international opponents. It's a struggle over Syria, over power, and the Syrians are falling victim to that."

Frontlines Split Syrian Cities as War Enters Third Year

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 23:53:00 -0700

Syria has entered its third year of war with frontlines between rebels and government forces dividing major cities, leaving civilians constantly in fear of death as they try to go about their daily lives. Al Jazeera reports.

Syria: Arm the Rebels, Say France and Britain

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:20:00 -0700

France and the UK are pushing to supply arms to Syrian opposition fighters, and have requested that European Union talks on lifting the arms embargo currently imposed on rebel groups be brought forward. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said France intends to arm opposition forces in Syria regardless of the EU's decision. The moves were condemned by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, while the Syrian government described it as a blatant violation of international law.

Syrian Regime Plays Islamist Card

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:27:00 -0700

Bashar al-Assad's once proudly secular regime appears to be embracing Islamism as the battle for Syria continues, Al Arabiya finds. A state TV report on the regime's forces was accompanied by background music commonly used by al-Qaeda, and Syria's grand imam has issued a fatwa calling fighting for Assad a 'religious obligation.'

'Childhood Under Fire': Two Million Syrian Kids Face Malnutrition, Disease

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:46:00 -0700

According to Save the Children, two million Syrian children are facing malnutrition and disease, while tens of thousands are living in squalid conditions in refugee camps. In the report titled "Childhood Under Fire," the charity warns of an emerging catastrophe, and has urged the United Nations to take greater responsibility. IBA reports.

UN Blames Assad Regime for 'Most' Syria Massacres‬

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:19:00 -0700

UN investigators examining 20 alleged massacres in Syria say regime forces carried out six of the eight confirmed atrocities. Meanwhile, al-Nusra Front is ‪imposing harsh, Taliban-style regulations‬ in areas under its control, mostly in Deir Ez-Zour and its surroundings. New TV reports on these developments.