Persian Realm

Where are the Joo-hating, Martyrs for Palestine Brigade?

Where are their condemnations while IRI ally Assad is slaughtering his own people by the many thousands? Are the usual Joo-hating suspects Missing in Action?

'At least 50 die' in Homs assault including 13 children

'At least 50 die' in Homs assault (bbc)

At least 50 people, including 13 children, are killed in a town in Syria's restive province of Homs, opposition activists say, calling it a "massacre"

Former Syrian general Hashem urges action to stop 'genocide'

A former Syrian army general calls for foreign intervention in his country to end the "barbaric genocide" being committed by the regime.

One of the most prominent critics of the Syrian regime, a former high-ranking officer in the Syrian army, has called for urgent international military intervention to stop what he called the "barbaric genocide" being committed by government forces in his country.

Gang-raped

The former army officer recounted to a shocked audience a recent case in the city of Hama in which, he said, 46 people from an extended family were rounded up by plainclothes thugs known as shabiha.

Widespread torture, he said, is being practised by the regime, not for information gathering, but for reasons of "hatred and enjoyment".

But Gen Hashem, when questioned by his audience, gave a hint of the disunity and fractiousness that plagues the Syrian opposition.

No plans for Syria intervention - U.S.

No plans for Syria intervention - U.S. (cnn)

The U.S. ambassador to NATO says the alliance has no plans for military intervention in the Syrian crisis, as reports of deaths mount by the dozens and diplomatic efforts have yet to stymie the bloodshed.

Ivo Daalder told reporters late Sunday there is "no planning going on that's related to a NATO role in Syria." 

• NEW: At least six people have been killed Monday, according to opposition activists
• The U.S. ambassador to NATO says the Syrian uprising is unlike Libya's
• At least 60 people were killed across Syria on Sunday, opposition activists say

US helping funnel arms into Syria, report says but Gov. denies

EU slaps new sanctions on Syria as violence rages on

EU slaps new sanctions on Syria as violence rages on (cnn)

European Union foreign ministers on Monday imposed new sanctions on the Syrian regime, urging it to adopt a U.N.-backed peace plan that so far has failed to stop the mounting carnage.

• NEW: The Syrian government reports 4 deaths, including two army officers
• Opposition: At least 23 regime soldiers were killed Monday in clashes at Rastan
• Rastan has been pummeled by government attacks, an opposition group says
• Report: Clashes continue between pro- and anti-Assad factions within Lebanon

Spilling Out of Syria: Deadly clashes hit Lebanese port

Two people are killed in sectarian clashes in the Lebanese port city of Tripoli, as tensions in neighbouring Syria spill over the border.

Syrian divisions reflected closely in Lebanon

Syrian divisions reflected closely in Lebanon (bbc)

"There is no god but God!" protesters chant as they march through Tripoli's old town.

The Islamist party Hizb ul-Tahrir assembles its supporters every Friday after prayers, and on Syria's "Day of Dignity" - the day following the Syrian uprising's one-year anniversary - black flags bearing the party's standard are being handed out to an eager crowd.

"No-one is doing anything to help our brothers in Syria. Europe, America - they have no answers," a young man shouts over the loudspeaker rallying the faithful.

"Syria will be free - and we will be there when that happens."

Sectarian divides in Lebanon's second largest city mirror those in neighbouring Syria, and loyalties are being severely tested.

Turkish journalists released from Syria with Iran's help

Syria frees Turkish journalists (bbc)

Two Turkish journalists who were held in Syria for two months are on their way home after being released following Iranian mediation.

Russia blames deadly Syria bombings on 'outside forces'

Russia blames deadly Syria bombings on 'outside forces' (cnn)

CNN) -- A powerful explosion rocked Aleppo, Syria's most populous city, late Friday, killing a guard at an office of President Bashar al-Assad's ruling Baath Party, opposition groups reported.

The cause of the blast was not immediately known. Heavy gunfire was heard in its aftermath, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

Earlier, Syrian authorities foiled a suicide bombing in the city, state media said.

The action comes a day after suicide attackers killed dozens in the capital of Damascus, a strike that heightened tensions in a country caught in the grip of a popular uprising.

• NEW: At least 20 killed in violence across the country
• Powerful blast rocks Aleppo, opposition groups report
• Syrian authorities foil suicide bombing, SANA reports
• Syria sends letters to the U.N. citing the escalation of terrorist attacks

Syria blast near UN convoy going to Deraa

An explosion hits a Syrian military truck which was escorting UN observers to the city of Deraa, injuring a number of soldiers.

Syrians vote amid boycott calls

Syrians have voted in what the government says are the first multi-party elections in decades, but the opposition dismisses them as a sham.

Syria UN observers 'not enough'

Syria UN observers 'not enough' (bbc)

Syria's UN observer mission head warns that even 1,000 observers could not stop the violence in the country, so peace must be a joint effort.

Author: U.S. averting gaze from Syria slaughter

Author: U.S. averting gaze from Syria slaughter (cnn, VIDEO)

CNN) -- For 13 months, violence has raged in Syria between President Bashar al-Assad's forces and the opposition in a lopsided battle that has seen thousands killed amid a number of international attempts to broker a peace deal.

The latest reports of violence follow news that more U.N. observers are arriving in Syria. But why is the violence continuing, and what chance does a peace plan have in Syria? 

• Fouad Ajami is an expert at Stanford and author of the upcoming "The Syrian Rebellion"
• He believes the peace plan in Syria is only helping the al-Assad regime
• Ajami says the U.S. bears a moral responsibility for what happens there

John Kerry to Amanpour: "Russians must act in Syria"

Kerry: Russians must act in Syria (cnn) 

U.S. Senator John Kerry says Russia must become more active in order to stop the Assad regime.

Syria 'not complying' with truce

The Syrian government is "in contravention" of an internationally agreed peace plan, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has warned.

Mr Ban "remains deeply troubled" by the continued presence of heavy weapons and troops in Syria's cities as reported by UN monitors, his spokesman said.

Mr Ban demanded that Damascus comply with the peace plan without delay.

1. Syrian-led political process to address the aspirations and concerns of the Syrian people

2. UN-supervised cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties to protect civilians

3. All parties to ensure provision of humanitarian assistance to all areas affected by the fighting, and implement a daily two-hour humanitarian pause

4. Authorities to intensify the pace and scale of release of arbitrarily detained persons

5. Authorities to ensure freedom of movement throughout the country for journalists

Both the government and rebel sides reported the Hama explosion as a "massacre", but each blamed the other for it and used it to buttress their own narrative of the wider situation.

State TV, showing pictures of wounded children survivors in hospital, said the blast was caused by an accident at a building used as a bomb factory by "terrorist armed groups" who were staging a "programmed escalation backed by regional and international quarters, aimed at derailing the Kofi Annan peace process".

But activist groups said a government missile attack had caused the devastation, as part of a pattern of truce violations that has seen continuing violence in many parts of the country.

Perhaps the two UN monitors stationed in Hama will eventually be able to clarify which version is true.

Syria: opposition ask U.N. take action on issue of casualties

Syrian opposition demands U.N. take action on issue of civilian casualties (CNN, VIDEO)

CNN) -- A Syrian opposition group says it has documented hundreds of deaths since the U.N. peace plan monitors began their work last week.

It has verified the identities of 462 people slain since April 16, when the mission started, the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria said Thursday. The number includes 34 children.

"Violent gunfire and bombing on Syrian cities haven't stopped," the LCC said.

The monitors report Syria is in "contravention" of its government's commitment to withdraw its troops and heavy weapons from population centers, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement released by his office.

• NEW: At least 35 are killed in violence Thursday, the opposition says
• NEW: U.N. secretary-general "gravely alarmed" at continuing violence
• The Arab League's ministers gather in Cairo to discuss Syria
• The Syrian opposition demands the United Nations hold an emergency session

Emergency talks in Cairo over Syria

Emergency talks in Cairo over Syria (cnn, VIDEO)

Foreign ministers gather in Cairo to discuss the Syrian crisis and the U.N. observers. Journalist Ian Lee reports. 

France warns of UN resolution on use of force in Syria

Syria crisis: France raises use of force

France moots Syria use of force (bbc)

France says the UN Security Council should consider the use of force in Syria if a UN-backed peace plan fails to stop violence in the country.

Amanpour: Russia defends Syria stance

Amanpour: Russia defends Syria stance (cnn)

AMANPOUR. Full-length edition:  Part 1: Bernard Henri-Levy – The French philosopher on France's elections and what the international community should do in Syria. Part 2: Russia defends  stance on Syria - Russia's Ambassador to the U.N.,Vitaly Churkin, says the threshold has already been crossed in Syria.Part 3: Elie Wiesel's call to action – The Holocaust survivor and author asks how Assad remains in power. 

Annan denounces violence in Syria

UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan says Syria is still seeing unacceptable levels of violence, as dozens of people die despite the supposed ceasefire which he brokered.

Obama: Assad a 'losing bet'

Obama: Assad a 'losing bet' (bbc, VIDEO)

US President Barack Obama has imposed new sanctions on the governments of Iran and Syria as well as those who help them crack down on dissent and target citizens for violence through technology.

Mr Obama announced the sanctions at a speech at the US Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC, after he toured the museum with writer and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel.

"We see the Syrian people subjected to unspeakable violence, simply for demanding their universal rights," Mr Obama said. "We have to do everything we can." 

Kofi Annan: Envoy says UN Syria vote is 'pivotal moment'

UN Syria vote is 'pivotal moment' (bbc)

Peace envoy Kofi Annan says the UN vote to deploy up to 300 observers in Syria is a "pivotal moment for the stabilisation of the country".

In a statement issued in Geneva, the UN and Arab League envoy also called on Syrian government forces to withdraw their tanks and weapons from cities.

A small UN team is currently in Syria to monitor a fragile ceasefire. 

1. Syrian-led political process to address the aspirations and concerns of the Syrian people

2. UN-supervised cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties to protect civilians

3. All parties to ensure provision of humanitarian assistance to all areas affected by the fighting, and implement a daily two-hour humanitarian pause

4. Authorities to intensify the pace and scale of release of arbitrarily detained persons

5. Authorities to ensure freedom of movement throughout the country for journalists

6. Authorities to respect freedom of association and the right to demonstrate peacefully 

UN council approves up to 300 Syria observers

UN votes to 'boost' Syria mission

UN votes to boost Syria mission (bbc)

The Security Council votes to increase the number of UN observers in Syria to 300 for three months, as monitors on the ground visit restive Homs.

UN weighs up Syria monitor plan (bbc)

UN weighs up Syria monitor plan (bbc)

The UN Security Council draws up a draft resolution to send 300 monitors to Syria, after divisions remain among member states over the details

'Sniper fire' as crowds greet UN

'Sniper fire' as crowds greet UN (bbc, VIDEO)

Syria and the United Nations have agreed terms for the deployment of UN monitors travelling to the country to observe the supposed ceasefire.

Earlier Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a three-month peace mission in Syria using 300 observers to monitor the situation.

His words came after activists reported snipers attacking during an advance observer team's visit to a Damascus suburb.

Videos posted online appear to show anti-government protesters surrounding UN cars in Arbeen ducking as shots were fired.

Caroline Hawley reports. 

Syria 'failing to keep to truce' say's UN's Ban Ki-moon

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says Syria has failed to comply with its peace plan obligation to pull troops and heavy weapons out of urban areas.

Syria 'gunfire' as UN team visits (bbc)

Syria 'gunfire' as UN team visits (bbc)

Shooting breaks out during a visit to a Damascus suburb by UN observers, activists say, as the UN prepares plans to expand the mission.