Syria’s deputy oil minister announced his defection to the opposition, the highest-ranking official to do so. Echoing a Chinese statement, Russia called for an immediate end to violence. In a Homs suburb, 62 people were killed. The Syrian army sent reinforcements to the northwestern province of Idlib.
Foreign militants fighting in Syria battlefields
Syria Christians worry about life after President Bashar Assad
Ill-armed Syrian rebels wage unequal struggle
US general: Syria’s Assad likely to stay in power ‘for some time’
Saudi, Qatari plans to arm Syrian rebels risk overtaking cautious approach favored by US
The Syrian military expanded its crackdown after eliminating the opposition in the Baba Amr district of Homs. China urged an end to violence but rejected any outside interference. Saudi Arabia said Syrians had a right to take up arms against the regime. US Senator McCain called for airstrikes.
Gulf Arabs Deny Arms to Syria Rebels
Iraq Sunni tribes warn against arming Syrian opposition
Syrian rebels in Idlib bide their time
US officials: Iran is stepping up lethal aid to Syria
Al Qaeda moving from Iraq to Syria: Iraqi PM
US NATO Ambassador Says Afghan Policy Intact
The Free Syrian Army retreated from the Bab Amr neighborhood in Homs. The civilian Syrian National Council and the military Free Syrian Army set up a joint command center. A Free Syrian Army commander said Iranian Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah brigades were fighting alongside the Syrian army.
Israel’s Last Chance to Strike Iran
Heavy fighting raged in the Baba Amr district of Homs; its status remains unclear. Helicopter gunships fired on civilians. The UN said up to 100 civilians per day have been killed.
Syria Crisis Highlights Paradoxes of Assad Support
Tunisia said it was ready to grant asylum to President Assad. The political leadership for the Palestinian group Hamas left Syria for Egypt and Qatar. Rebels said they shot down three military helicopters. The UN said over 7,500 people have been killed during the 11-month uprising.
Western Iraqi Province Sides With Syrian Uprising
Syrian government forces began a massive assault on the city of Homs. The Syrian military also launched offensives against towns in the northwestern province of Idlib.
Do fence me in: Israel closing Sinai loopholes
The Al Nusrah Front to Protect the Levant claimed it carried out a “martyrdom-seeking operation” against Syrian security forces in Damascus.
As Syria prepares to vote on new constitution, some still support Assad
US President Obama said the US and its allies would consider “every tool available” to stop the killing in Syria. US Secretary of State Clinton suggested the Syrian military could oust President Assad. The EU implemented new economic sanctions. Syria held a referendum on a new constitution.
Insight: As government-in-waiting, Egypt’s Brotherhood finds voice
Syria referendum goes ahead amid military onslaught
Hamas ended its support of the Assad regime and declared its backing of the opposition. The “Friends of Syria” conference agreed to tighten sanctions, but stopped short of arming the opposition. The UN reported that Syrian forces have committed crimes against humanity.
Syrian Opposition Is Hobbled by Deep Divisions
Syrian rebels get arms from abroad: source
US pushing for humanitarian aid, not arms, to Syrian opposition