Tag Archives: Syria

The Syrian government forces continued to attack protesters in Homs. The Syrian opposition called Homs a “disaster area” and called for international protection. The failure of the Arab League brokered peace deal prompted the Arab League to call for an emergency meeting.

Despite the Arab League peace deal, the Syrian government forces remained in place and attacks on protestors continued. Syria said it would withdraw troops from the streets on Sunday and gave civilians one week to turn in their arms. The Arab League warned of disaster if its plan to end violence fails.

The Syrian government and the Arab League have reached an agreement to end the crackdown on the opposition. The agreement included pulling military out of cities, releasing of prisoners, allowing media access and holding talks with the opposition. The opposition has dismissed the agreement.

NATO’s chief ruled out intervention in Syria. The Arab League waited for Syria’s response to its plan to end the crisis. President Assad said he was popular because he “lives a normal life”.

Syrian troops killed 40 protesters yesterday and 10 more civilians today. The Arab League denounced the killing and called on Assad to end the violence. Syrian Army troops continue to defect and become more organized. Hezbollah’s leader Nasrallah said Syria was “largely out of the danger zone.”

The US ambassador left Syria after “credible threats to his safety.” His contacts with protesters had led to attacks on the US embassy and residence by Assad loyalists. Both the EU and Iran renewed their criticism of the Syrian crackdown.

Syrian forces killed 28 protesters as demonstrations surge following the death of Libya’s Gaddafi. Incursions by the Syrian army have aggravated political tensions in Lebanon.

Syrian government troops mounted a large crackdown around the capital of Damascus. Thousands rallied in support of President Assad in Aleppo. Libya’s interim government became the first to recognize the Syrian opposition as the legitimate authority in Syria.

The fighting in the country’s northwest suggests that the seven-month-old uprising against President Assad is becoming increasingly militarized. The Arab League stopped short of suspending Syria and instead agreed to create a committee to oversee the situation in Syria. President Assad formed a committee to change Syria’s constitution.

In an emergency meeting in Cairo, the Arab League will consider suspending Syria from the organization. The British foreign office rebuked Syria’s ambassador over the intimidation of dissidents in Britain. A US citizen was arrested in Virginia for passing sensitive information on anti-Assad protesters in US to Damascus. Arms smuggling into Syria flourishes.

The protest death toll has reached 3,000. Syrian forces fired on rallies supporting army defectors nationwide. A senior United Nations human rights official called for “protective” international action against Syria as she warned the country was heading towards civil war.

Tens of thousands rallied in central Damascus to show support for President Assad. The Syrian opposition gained regional backers. Syrian National Council received backing from a coalition of Egyptian activists. A group of Syrians opposed to President al-Assad created an alliance of technocrats to help fill a void of expertise within the opposition.

The most senior officer to defect from Syria’s armed forces is plotting guerrilla attacks and assassinations from Turkey in an attempt to topple the regime. After a prominent leader was assassinated, Syrian Kurds begin to protest against President al Assad. Iraq’s Maliki urged Syria to end one-party rule. Organization of Islamic Cooperation warned Syria over […]

The National Council agreed on a democratic framework for a future Syria and wants international observers. The foreign minister warned other nations not to bestow legitimacy on the opposition group. Syria’s top Sunni cleric warned against military intervention and threatened retaliation in the US and Europe if Syria came under attack. The EU welcomed the […]

In northern Syria, security forces attacked and killed Meshaal Tamo, a prominent opposition leader. At his funeral, 50,000 Syrians rallied against the regime of President Assad. Syrian security forces fired on the funeral procession, killing two.

Russian President Putin urged President Assad to reform or leave office – the first time the allies have publicly diverged during Syria’s six-month uprising. The most senior officer to defect from Syria’s armed forces said there is no option but to topple Assad by force. Assad’s family has been “selling off the overseas property empire.”