Heavy fighting broke out in Damascus. Clashes were reported in the affluent Mezze neighborhood, where embassies, security buildings, and homes of members of Assad’s inner circle are located. The government blamed Saudi Arabia and Qatar for bomb attacks in Damascus and Aleppo.
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US accelerating cyberweapon research
A car bomb exploded near a security building in the northern city of Aleppo. The supply of black market weapons to rebels has been depleted. Iraq said it would not allow Iran to transit weapons to Syria.
In Israel, prospect of war with Iran raises questions about home-front defense
Saudi Arabia sends military equipment to Syria rebels
Two car bombs struck security buildings in Damascus, killing 27. Fighting returned to Damascus several weeks after government forces had cleared the area. Following Bahraini and Saudi Arabian closures, four more Arab states closed their embassies, while Turkey advised its citizens to leave.
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Syrian rebels lack guns, money after key defeats
The Syrian army attacked the southern city of Deraa with tanks and armored vehicles. Refugees flooded into Turkey. Turkey considered setting up a buffer zone inside Syria. Bahrain closed its embassy.
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Iraqiya List concerned about Iraqi, Iranian and Lebanese armed groups backing up Assad regime
Syrian army troops took control of the northwestern city of Idlib and began attacks on the southern city of Daarah. Saudi Arabia has closed its embassy. Russia said President Assad was too slow in making reforms.
Senators: US indirectly funding Syrian military
Israeli Truce With Gaza Militants Takes Hold
Syria authorities, opposition trade blame in civilian deaths
Government forces continued their assault on Idlib, and planted mines along routes used by refugees fleeing to Turkey and Lebanon to escape the violence. Russia said it would not stop selling weapons to Syria. President Assad announced parliamentary elections in May.
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The opposition accused government forces of murdering 47 people in Homs, including women and children. State media acknowledged the killings but denied responsibility. The UN Security Council discussed the crisis but reached no agreement. An Iraqi Sunni tribal sheikh admitted to sending men and arms to Syria to support the rebellion.
Iran stands by Syria, blames US for unrest
Clash with Iran could see use of huge, new US bomb
US troops gone, al Qaeda makes Iraq peace elusive
Syria’s Bashar al-Assad firmly in control, US intelligence officials say
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Syria Army Defections Surge
Hamas ties to Syria and Iran in flux as region shifts
All quieter on al Qaeda’s English front