UN Puts Death Toll from Syrian Conflict at 60,000
BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — The United Nations high commissioner for human rights announced on Wednesday that the death toll from the conflict in Syria that began in March 2011 now exceeds 60,000 victims.This represents a huge increase i…
Russia Still Resistant to Transitional Government in Syria
ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images(CAIRO) — Russia continues to be a thorn in the side of those seeking a quick resolution to the ongoing conflict in Syria.After talks with the Arab League and Egyptian leaders in Cairo Monday, Russian Foreign Minister…
Syria Tries a Ceasefire in Time for Eid al-Adha Holiday
Scott Peterson/Getty Images(DAMASCUS, Syria) — United Nations and Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has got his wish for a temporary ceasefire in Syria, but will he soon wish that he hadn’t gone through all the trouble if it doesn’t hold up?On Thursda…
Syrian War Jets Keep Bombarding Strategic City
Scott Peterson/Getty Images(DAMASCUS, Syria) — The Syrian military continued its onslaught against rebel forces on Thursday as warplanes struck the strategic city of Maaret al-Numan, leaving dozens dead.
Maaret al-Numan, which was captured last week b…
UN Envoy Warns of Spread of Syria’s Violence
Spencer Platt/Getty Images(BEIRUT) — Desperate to forge an agreement that would mean a four-day respite from violence in Syria, the United Nation’s special envoy warned on Wednesday that the 19-month conflict is on the verge of spilling over into the …
UN Envoy Trying to Negotiate Temporary Syrian Ceasefire
ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/Getty Images(DAMASCUS, Syria) — Talks are currently underway with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government to observe a four-day ceasefire over the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday at the end of October that would provide a brief resp…
Ex-Syrian Prime Minister Accuses Al-Assad of Prolonging War
LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images(DAMASCUS, Syria) — More questions are being raised about whether Syrian President Bashar al-Assad actually wants a peaceful end to the 19-month conflict with opposition forces in his country.Since his government began cr…
Ex-Syrian Prime Minister Accuses Al-Assad of Prolonging War
LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images(DAMASCUS, Syria) — More questions are being raised about whether Syrian President Bashar al-Assad actually wants a peaceful end to the 19-month conflict with opposition forces in his country.Since his government began cr…
UN Chief Wants Action from Security Council to End Syrian Conflict
SIMON MAINA/AFP/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had a pretty stern message from the international community at the start of the General Assembly Tuesday: fix the situation in Syria or suffer the consequences.With …
UN Chief Wants Action from Security Council to End Syrian Conflict
SIMON MAINA/AFP/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had a pretty stern message from the international community at the start of the General Assembly Tuesday: fix the situation in Syria or suffer the consequences.With …
New UN Envoy to Syria Plays Down Talks with Bashar Al-Assad
ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/GettyImages(DAMASCUS, Syria) — Miracles aren’t expected to come out of United Nations-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi’s meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus later this week.Brahimi replaced Kofi Annan, who expr…
New UN Envoy to Syria Plays Down Talks with Bashar Al-Assad
ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/GettyImages(DAMASCUS, Syria) — Miracles aren’t expected to come out of United Nations-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi’s meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus later this week.Brahimi replaced Kofi Annan, who expr…
Video Shows Rebel Execution of Syrian Forces in Aleppo
Scott Peterson/Getty Images(DAMASCUS, Syria) — The conflict in Syria showed further signs of spinning out of control Monday after a video was released that depicts the execution of over 20 government soldiers by rebel forces.An opposition group, which…
Video Shows Rebel Execution of Syrian Forces in Aleppo
Scott Peterson/Getty Images(DAMASCUS, Syria) — The conflict in Syria showed further signs of spinning out of control Monday after a video was released that depicts the execution of over 20 government soldiers by rebel forces.An opposition group, which…
Syrian Rebels Lose Critical Border Town Near Jordan
Scott Peterson/Getty Images(DAMASCUS, Syria) — Opposition forces in Syria suffered a major setback Thursday after government troops took over a border town that people had used to cross over to Jordan for refuge.Rebels were unable to offer much resist…
Syria Condemns Egyptian President
AFP/Getty Images(DAMASCUS, Syria) — The Syrian government is not at all pleased with comments made this week by Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, who was critical of the government’s 18-month crackdown on pro-democracy forces.During a meeting of the A…
Egypt and Turkey Take Turns Blasting Syrian President
AFP/Getty Images(CAIRO) — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad got a one-two punch Wednesday at a meeting of the Arab League in Cairo Wednesday.Already outspoken in his criticism of al-Assad for the 18-month government crackdown on pro-democratic forces, …
Syrian President Admits It Will Take ‘Time’ to Defeat His Foes
Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images(DAMASCUS, Syria) — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad gave his strongest indication yet Wednesday that he is prepared to continue his government’s 18-month battle against forces opposed to his regime until one gives up the f…
Syrian President Admits It Will Take ‘Time’ to Defeat His Foes
Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images(DAMASCUS, Syria) — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad gave his strongest indication yet Wednesday that he is prepared to continue his government’s 18-month battle against forces opposed to his regime until one gives up the f…
Massacre in Daraya Could Be Deadliest of Syrian Conflict
Scott Peterson/Getty Images(DAMASCUS, Syria) — Syrian opposition groups are now alleging that the massacre of civilians in the village of Daraya is the bloodiest mass killing since government forces began their offensive against pro-democratic activis…