Persian Realm

UN to train Syria Arab monitors

UN to train Syria Arab monitors (bbc)

The United Nations is to begin training Arab League observers monitoring the uprising in Syria.

The training will begin in Cairo after Arab League foreign ministers meet this weekend to discuss the progress of the mission so far, a UN spokesperson said.

The training is to be carried out by staff of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Meanwhile, activists said another 15 people died across Syria on Monday, including five defecting soldiers. 

Why won't the U.N. Security Council intervene in Syria?

Why won't U.N. intervene in Syria? (cnn)

United Nations (CNN) -- Last year, the U.N. Security Council authorized "all necessary measures" to stop the violence when the nation in question was Libya. It has come nowhere close to that on Syria, where the United Nations estimates more than 5,000 people have been killed since March. Why?

Diplomats say the answer is simple: Russia. Tensions between Russia and the other permanent members of the Security Council have always been a factor. But diplomats say that Russia's conduct in its refusal to condemn Syria, or even negotiate on resolutions in good faith, have reached new lows.

Deaths, detentions mount in Syria

Deaths, detentions mount in Syria (cnn)

The latest bloodshed in the besieged Syrian city of Homs came outside a bakery on Monday, when secret security forces fired indiscriminately on people in line, an opposition activist group said. 

At least 20 people were wounded when the Syrian army bombarded homes in the Damascus suburb of Zabadani, according to the Local Coordination Committee, an opposition group that organizes and reports on protests.

In Homs, opposition groups reported eight deaths among civilians, including five people killed by security forces who fired indiscriminately on people in line at a bakery, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Nine others were wounded.

In addition, security forces raided a university housing facility in Aleppo and arrested nine students Monday, the group said.

Five soldiers also died Monday while trying to defect from the army during a firefight between government and opposition forces in Idlib, according to the human rights group. Fifteen other soldiers successfully defected, the group said.

Meanwhile, Syrian state-run media said an "armed terrorist group" fatally shot Brig. Gen. Mohammed Abdul-Hamid al-Awwad in the Gotta area while he headed to work. 

More than 400 children Children 'killed and tortured' in Syria

Children 'killed and tortured' in Syria (BBC VIDEO)

More than 400 children in Syria have been killed since the start of the uprising last March, according to human rights activists.

The UN has condemned what it has called "numerous and substantiated" reports of torture in detention - which includes that of children.

As the uprising enters its 10th month, the BBC's Fergal Keane reports on the state violence against children in Syria 

Sticks and Carrots: Syria 'grants uprising amnesty'

Syria 'grants uprising amnesty' (bbc)

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has granted an amnesty for crimes committed during the 10-month uprising, state media reports.

It would apply to army deserters who turned themselves in before the end of January, peaceful protesters and those who handed in unlicensed weapons, Sana state news agency is quoted as saying.

The UN says more than 14,000 people are in detention.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged Mr Assad to end the violence. 

Syria crisis: Qatar calls for Arabs to send in troops

Qatar urges Arab forces in Syria (bbc)

The ruler of the Gulf state of Qatar has said Arab countries should send troops into Syria to stop government forces killing civilians there.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani told US news channel CBS "some troops should go to stop the killing".

It is the first time an Arab leader has publicly called for military intervention in Syria.

More than 5,000 civilians have been killed since anti-government protests erupted in Syria in March, the UN says.

Qatar was the first Arab country to join the Nato-led operation in Libya, which led to the downfall of Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi.

It has also led regional criticism of the crackdowns on protesters by President Bashar al-Assad in Syria and in Yemen by President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Asked if he was in favour of Arab nations intervening in Syria, Sheikh Hamad said: "For such a situation to stop the killing... some troops should go to stop the killing."

The Arab League has despatched 165 observers to Syria to monitor compliance with a peace plan, but members have expressed doubts as to the mission's efficacy.

More than 400 civilians have been killed in Syria since the observers began their mission in December, according to the UN. 

Syrian opposition group and rebel army join forces

Syrian group joins forces with rebel army (cnn, Video)

Damascus, Syria (CNN) -- A Syrian opposition group demanding the end of President Bashar al-Assad's reign announced Friday that it has begun coordinating with the rebel Free Syria Army and anti-government protesters took to the streets to support the breakaway army.

At least 11 civilians, including three children, died Friday in clashes with security forces, according to the Local Coordination Committees of Syria -- an opposition group that organizes and documents anti-government demonstrations.

The announcement by the Syrian National Council and the planned protests across the country in support of the rebel army appear to signal a shift in the anti-government movement, an effort to solidify coordination between the groups who say they have been the target of a brutal crackdown by al-Assad's forces.

The move coincides with reports of increased violence against demonstrators by security forces despite the ongoing efforts of an Arab League fact-finding mission to determine whether the Syrian government is abiding by an agreement to end the crackdown. 

Iran denies shipping weapons to Syria

Iran denies shipping weapons to Syria (cnn)

Istanbul (CNN) -- Iran's embassy in Turkey has issued a formal statement denying reports Tehran was shipping weapons through Turkey to Syria.

"We deny such claims and we would like to state that the Islamic Republic of Iran sees people's demands to be paid attention to as a way of providing domestic security and stability and believes that dialogue between the Syrian government and the opposition is the way out from the current situation," the Iranian embassy announced in a written statement obtained Friday by CNN.

The statement came after Turkish officials said they stopped four trucks that arrived from Iran at the Turkish border with Syria because they were suspected of carrying military cargo.

The spokesman for Turkey's Foreign Ministry told CNN customs officials were currently investigating the trucks. 

Cameron say's: Syria's Assad 'appalling' & Iran a "clear threat"

Cameron: Syria's Assad 'appalling' (bbc video)

David Cameron has described Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's behaviour as "appalling", saying the leader has "lost the consent of his people".

Speaking to the Al Arabiya television channel, he praised the Arab League's "unity and steadfastness" in "bringing this issue to the world's attention... showing the United Nations, in my view, what needs to be done."

He also said Iran remained a "clear threat" because of its nuclear programme, saying it was right for the international community to "step up the pressure on Iran to take a different path". 

Life in Damascus far from normal as crisis deepens

BBC Newsnight, Damascus

Damascus on a rainy winter's evening. The lights are blazing, the traffic flows smoothly, the smart boutiques of the new town and the souks in the old city seem busy enough.

But for all the assurances of the government, life in the Syrian capital is far from normal. 

Syria tanks and troops 'enter protest town, Zabadani'

Syria troops 'enter protest town' (bbc)

The Syrian authorities have sent troops and tanks into the town of Zabadani, near the Lebanese border, following big demonstrations there against President Bashar al-Assad, activists say.

The army bombarded the town, but met some resistance, according to reports.

Tens of thousands of people took part in rallies across Syria in support of the Free Syrian Army, a group of army defectors seeking to topple Mr Assad.

One activist group says 12 civilians were killed, three of them children.

Kamal al-Labwani, a senior opposition figure from Zabadani who fled to Jordan two weeks ago, said communications had been cut, but that he had managed to speak to several people in the town.

"Tanks are bombarding the town and have entered the outskirts, but they are being met with resistance," he told Reuters news agency. "The Free Syrian Army has strong presence in the area." 

Syrian Opposition rallies in support of army defectors

Syria rallies back army defectors (bbc)

Syrian opposition activists have called for mass rallies in support of the Free Syrian Army, a group of army defectors seeking to topple the government.

Demonstrations are reportedly already taking place in Aleppo, Deir al-Zour, Homs, Idlib and suburbs of Damascus.

One activist group said two civilians had been killed, one of them a child.

On Thursday, the Free Syrian Army and the main opposition coalition, the Syrian National Council, agreed to co-ordinate their operations more closely.

An SNC statement said a liaison office would be set up with the FSA to "maintain direct communications around the clock".

The groups also agreed to devise a plan, which would include "the reorganisation of FSA units and brigades, and the creation of a format to accommodate within FSA ranks additional officers and soldiers, especially senior military officials, who side with the revolution", the SNC added. 

What a mess it is !

Poor Syria, it's truly sad.

Syria halts aid convoy at Turkish border

Syria halts aid convoy at border (bbc)

Several hundred Syrian and foreign activists, part of an independent aid convoy, are prevented from entering Syria at the border with Turkey.

Syrian president predicts 'triumph'

Syrian president predicts 'triumph' (cnn)

Damascus, Syria (CNN) -- As violence erupted in Homs, Syria's president turned up at a boisterous pro-government rally in Damascus Wednesday, whipping up his followers and again underscoring his view that the months of popular unrest in his nation are the result of a "conspiracy."

"We will triumph over this conspiracy," Bashar al-Assad told a cheering, clapping and flag-waving throng.

"I will not say that the country is confronting a major conspiracy because you are here to stand up against it," he said. "These are the final phases of the conspiracy, and we will make sure that we will stand up victorious."

Al-Assad's appearance at the rally comes a day after he delivered a defiant televised speech, strongly defending his government's reforms and blaming the unrest on "external conspiracies."

Meanwhile, the Local Coordination Committees in Syria, an opposition activist group, said in a statement that 25 people were killed in unrest Wednesday -- seven in Hama, 12 in Homs, two each in Idlib and Haleb and one each in Latakia and Deir Ezzor. 

Syria opposition denies killing journalist

Syria opposition denies killing journalist (cnn)

Syrian security forces fired the shells that killed French journalist Gilles Jacquier on Wednesday, a Syrian opposition group said.  

Snipers rule the streets

Snipers rule the streets (VIDEO CNN)

Watch a documentary of defiant protesters under fire 

French journalist killed in Mortar Strike in Homs, Syria

Mortar strike kills two at rally in Syria's Homs (cnn)

Damascus, Syria (CNN) -- A French journalist died Wednesday in a mortar strike on a pro-government rally in Homs, the Syrian city that has become the symbol of grass-roots resistance against President Bashar al-Assad's regime.The dead journalist is Gilles Jacquier of the France 2 TV network. 

Foreign "Observers" = farce! Dictators "allow" true Observers?!

Everything is sacred

Syria observer mission 'a farce' say's Ex-Arab League monitor

Syria observer mission 'a farce' (bbc)

A former member of the Arab League's observer mission to Syria has called it a "farce" and described the situation there as a humanitarian disaster.

Anwar Malek told al-Jazeera TV that he had resigned because of what he had witnessed in Syria, including a series of war crimes.

He said the government had "fabricated" most of what the monitors had seen to stop the Arab League taking action.

The monitors are tasked with verifying the implementation of a peace plan.

US and France condemn Bachar Al Assad's tv speech

US condemns hardline Assad speech (bbc)

The US and France condemn a speech by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad which blamed a foreign plot for the 10-month uprising against his rule. 

Syria's Assad blames 'conspiracy' in Televised Speech

Syria's Assad blames 'conspiracy' (video BBC)

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has blamed a foreign conspiracy for trying to destabilise Syria.

He said the "external conspiracy is clear to everybody", as protests continue against his rule.

In his first public remarks for months, he said: "Regional and international sides have tried to destabilise the country."

The UN said last month that more than 5,000 civilians had been killed since protests began in March last year.

President Assad's crackdown on the unrest has led to international condemnation and sanctions. 

Syria leader to make rare speech

Syria leader to make rare speech (bbc)

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is to deliver a rare public address amid ongoing protests and bloodshed.

State media said the speech would address "internal issues and international and regional developments", without giving details.

Violence is continuing despite the presence of Arab League observers meant to oversee a peace plan.

The opposition accused the mission of serving to cover up a crackdown on almost a year of anti-Assad protests. 

Protests show Syria more divided

Damascus, Syria (CNN) -- Opposing protests Monday highlighted Syria's new reality: The country is more divided today than it was just a few months ago.

In Damascus, a large pro-government rally felt like a celebration, with a festival atmosphere as demonstrators hailed President Bashar al-Assad.

Meanwhile, just outside the capital, a funeral procession and anti-Assad rally was filled with anger. Participants showed CNN what they said were gunshot wounds from forces loyal to al-Assad.

Syrian defector:"Assad has lost control of 'human monsters"

Mahmoud al-Haj Hamad was a financial inspector in the Ministry of Defense in Damascus until his recent defection to Egypt. In an interview with CNN this week, he provided a firsthand account of the wheels of repression at work, as seen from his former 12th-floor office.

Defector describes 'horrific acts' (VIDEO) 

Syria clashes 'kill at least 27'

Syria clashes 'kill at least 27' (bbc)

At least 27 people die in clashes throughout Syria, the opposition says, as the government buries victims of Friday's bomb attack in Damascus.

Syria government buries bomb dead

Syria government buries bomb dead (bbc)

Jonathan Head

BBC  News, Istanbul, Turkey

There have been thousands of funerals during the 10-month conflict in Syria, but few have received the kind of publicity given to the burial of 11 police officers killed in Friday's bomb blast.

State TV showed large crowds chanting in support of President Assad as the flag-draped coffins were brought into the mosque in the Midan district of Damascus.

The attack fits the government's narrative of the conflict - that it is confronting a terrorist conspiracy, not a mass uprising.

President Assad's opponents say this is reason enough to suspect pro-government forces of ordering the suicide bombing, the second such attack in the capital in two weeks. 

Who is to blame for the latest massacre ?

Assad says it's the opposition. Opposition groups say it's him. Right now, I dont' trust either side.

As for the monitors, they seem to lack both experience and credibility. In addition to being limited in their movements.

Syria vows 'iron fist' after bomb

Syria vows 'iron fist' after bomb (bbc)

Syria's interior ministry has vowed to "strike back with an iron fist" at what it say is a recent "escalation" of anti-government terror attacks.

It comes after a bomb in the capital, Damascus, killed at least 26 civilians and members of the security forces.

Opposition groups have accused the government of planting the bomb to discredit their opponents and influence Arab League monitors.

The monitors are assessing the progress of a regional peace plan.

But activists say the government crackdown has continued, with scores of people killed since the monitors arrived.

The UN says more than 5,000 civilians have been killed since protests against President Bashar al-Assad began 10 months ago. 

Syria rocked by fresh bloodshed

Syria rocked by fresh bloodshed (bbc)

Renewed violence across Syria leaves dozens dead, including up to 26 in what officials say was a suicide attack in the capital Damascus.