More than 4,000 Syrian refugees have fled to safety by crossing the border into Turkey, with thousands more desperate to do the same.
Yet the United Nations Security Council appears stuck, unable to come to a consensus on a resolution to condemn the brutality of government forces sent by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to quell the rising protests against his regime.
An increasing number of those are coming from within the ranks of his own troops as well, with many soldiers defying orders to shoot protesters. Those who don't are summarily executed by their comrades-in-arms.
Last week, a draft resolution submitted by Britain, France, Portugal and German was circulated among the members of the Security Council and backed by the United States.
Although it was hoped the draft would come to a vote by the week's end, no discussions have yet been scheduled as back-channel maneuvering continues in hopes of getting the resolution passed.
British Prime Minister David Cameron issued a passionate plea in London before the Parliament, warning that England would not take it kindly should the effort fail. “There are credible reports of 1,000 dead and as many as 10,000 detained, and the violence being meted out to peaceful protesters and demonstrators is completely unacceptable. If anyone votes against that resolution or tries to veto it,” he warned China and Russia, “that should be on their conscience.”
The text of the resolution condemns the “systematic violation of human rights, including killings, arbitrary detentions, disappearances and torture of peaceful protesters.”
A week ago, 120 army defectors were slaughtered in just such a manner, while the Syrian government later placed the blame on vaguely unidentified “armed groups.” Assad immediately used the opportunity to vow punishment for “those responsible.” He sent tanks and troops to further attack opposition forces in Jisr al-Shughour, the northwestern city where the massacre took place.
Only a few thousand people, mostly young residents, remain in the town, whose former population was 70,000 remain. Those who stayed have been hiding army defectors who arrive with arms and military knowledge. They say they are prepared to make a stand against Assad's forces, who have surrounded the city.