Elul 9, 5778, 8/20/2018
Syria Unrest Amid Foot-Dragging, Syria Transfers Third Chemical Weapons BatchOPCW announces third shipment of Syrian chemical weapons shipped after US denounces Assad over dragging his feet. At Least 50 US Citizens Fighting in Syrian Rebel FactionsUS intelligence officials release estimate of how many US citizens are fighting in rebel factions, express concern over terrorism at home. Syria: West Reaches Out to Assad Over JihadistsSyrian official: growing concern over rebel forces, including foreign jihadis, has caused the West to reach out to Assad. Syria Death Toll Tops 130,000More than 130,000 people have been killed since the beginning of the conflict in Syria, new tally finds. Assad's Government Agrees to Attend Geneva TalksSyrian government will participate in Geneva peace talks but declares that Assad will not “hand over power.” Syria: At Least 20 Dead in Car Bomb ExplosionCar bomb explosion kills at least 20 near a mosque in the Damascus province town of Suq Wadi Barada. Assad Denies Attacking CiviliansRegime says "terrorist dens" were destroyed in overnight operations, denies chemical attack on civilians. Israel in UN: Syria Provoking Us"This week's events are part of a disturbing pattern of events intended to spark provocation with Israel," said UN ambassador. UN's Envoy to Syria Plans to QuitSyria peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is on the verge of quitting amid growing frustration at deadlocked efforts to end the conflict. More than 1,000 Hizbullah Terrorists Enter Syria to Help AssadOver 1,000 members of Hizbullah have entered Syria in the past few days in order to fight alongside regime troops. Syrian Aircraft Strike in LebanonSyrian aircraft bomb two locations in the eastern Lebanon town of Arsal. Washington denounces the act. Syria Ready to Fight Rebels 'For Years'Pro-government Syrian newspaper warns the army is "in perfect condition" and can "fight for years to defend Syria." Hizbullah's Number 2: Assad Regime Will SurviveThe Hizbullah terror group’s number two, Sheikh Naim Qassem, says he is confident that the Assad regime in Syria would survive.Syria: Fighting Returns to 'Capital of the Revolution'Syrian rebels launch a surprise raid to retake a key district of the central city of Homs, dubbed 'capital of the revolution'. Syrian Authorities Claim they Found 'Israeli Equipment'Syrian authorities claim they have discovered Israeli "espionage equipment" in an undisclosed location in the country.Assad Says Syria Will Hit Back at IsraelSyrian President Bashar al-Assad vows to hit back at Israel over alleged airstrike in January, but says it may not be an overt attack. Kerry Hints U.S. Will Provide More Support to Syrian OppositionU.S. Secretary of State John Kerry hints at greater U.S. support for Syria's opposition, saying it needs "more help". Syrian Government: We're Ready for Talks with RebelsSyria's foreign minister says the authorities in Damascus are ready to talk to anyone, including armed rebels. Syria: At Least 12 Dead in Missile Attack in AleppoThree missiles crashed into residential areas of Syria's northern city of Aleppo, killing at least 12 civilians.Syrian Rebels Hit Back at Hizbullah in LebanonFree Syrian Army starts to attack Hizbullah, a day after giving it an ultimatum to stop shelling territory held by the rebels. Syrian Rebels Down WarplaneSyrian rebels down a warplane over Hammuriyeh after an air strike kills at least 14 people in the Damascus province town. Kerry: Syria Death Toll May Have Reached 90,000U.S. Secretary of State says the death toll in Syria may have reached 90,000, citing figures given to him by his Saudi counterpart. Syria: 78 Executed Bodies Found in RiverThe bodies of 78 young men, all executed with a single gunshot, found in a river in Syria's Aleppo city.Israel Keeping Close Eye on Syria's Chemical WeaponsIsrael becoming increasingly concerned that Syria’s chemical weapons will fall into the hands of Hizbullah or rebel terrorists. Latest Syrian Air Raid Kills 8 ChildrenRegime warplanes launch a wave of deadly raids across Syria, including one which kills eight children. Assad's Mother Fled Syria, Says Former U.S. AmbassadorThe former U.S. ambassador to Damascus confirms that Assad's mother has fled Syria and is in the UAE. Syria: At Least 30 Killed in Suicide Car BombingSuicide car bombing in Hama kills at least 30 people, Arab League says efforts to end the conflict have failed.Syria's Opposition Meets to Select Prime MinisterSyria's opposition umbrella group meets in Istanbul in a bid to name a prime minister-in-exile. Report: Assad Used Non-Lethal Chemicals on RebelsSyrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s forces used non-lethal chemical weapons against rebels in Homs, the French daily Le Monde reports. Al-Jazeera Journalist Killed by Syrian SniperSniper kills an Al-Jazeera reporter in southern Syria, the second such shooting of a journalist in two days. At Least 100 Killed in New Syria MassacreMore than 100 civilians have been killed in a new massacre north of the Syrian city of Homs, activists say.Syria: Twin Bombs in Idlib Leave 22 DeadTwin car bombs kill at least 22 people in Idlib, as universities mourn 87 people killed in explosions on the student campus in Aleppo. Syria: 82 Dead in Bombing at Aleppo UniversityTwin blasts rip through the university campus in Syria's city of Aleppo, killing at least 82 people and wounding scores more. At Least 26 Children Killed in Syria ViolenceAt least 26 children killed in violence in Syria, as Human Rights Watch accuses Assad of expanding his use of banned cluster bombs. Netanyahu Visits IDF Base in the Golan Heights"Of course we are monitoring what is happening on the other side of this buffer inside Syria," Netanyahu tells soldiers in Golan. Syrian Rebels Seize Key AirbaseRebels overrun the Taftanaz airbase in northern Syria in a significant advance in the battles against the Assad regime. Panetta: U.S. Focused on Securing Syrian Chemical WeaponsThe U.S. is increasingly focused on how to secure Syria's chemical weapons if Assad falls from power, says Defense Secretary. Damascus Accuses Brahimi of 'Bias'Damascus accuses joint UN-Arab League peace envoy of "flagrant bias" against it, a day before he meets U.S. and Russian officials.Syria: 5 Dead as Fighting Returns to 'Palestinian' CampSyrian fighting has returned to an area of Damascus which serves as a camp for people registered as "Palestinian refugees."U.S. May Issue Most Wanted Syrians Playing CardsThe United States is considering issuing a set of playing cards to help identify 100 most wanted figures of the Syrian regime. Assad Speech 'Detached from Reality', Says U.S.The United States State Department says Assad's speech is another attempt to cling to power. U.S. Concerned by Assad's Use of Iranian-Made MissilesThe United States is becoming increasingly worried about Syria’s use of ballistic missiles supplied by Iran.Assad to Give Speech, May Offer a 'Peace Plan'Syria's embattled President Bashar al-Assad is to make a rare speech Sunday and may present a five-point plan to end violence. Car Bomb Rips Through Damascus Gas StationAt least nine dead after a car bomb tore through a gas station in the Syrian capital Damascus' district of Barzeh. UN Estimates Syria Death Toll at More than 60,000More than 60,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict since March of 2011, says the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.20 Syrian Troops Defect to TurkeyA group of some 20 Syrian soldiers, including a general, have defected from the army and fled to Turkey. Dozens of Tortured Corpses Found in DamascusAt least 30 tortured bodies found in a flashpoint district of Damascus as Syria violence continues into 2013.Officials: Assad Isolating Himself Fearing AssassinationSyrian President Assad is focusing on his personal safety, avoiding contact with others and moving to a different bedroom every night.Brahimi: Syrian War is Worsening by the DayInternational envoy Lakhdar Brahimi says he has a peace plan that could be supported by world powers. Russia: Assad Can't be Forced to Step DownRussia admits that Syrian President will not be persuaded to quit, insists there is still a chance of finding a political solution. Russia Urges Assad to Talk to OppositionRussia, Syria's closest ally despite months of violence, encourages Assad to hold dialogue with opposition. Syrian Regime Firing Iranian-Made Missiles at RebelsThe Syrian regime this week fired at least two Iranian-made, short-range ballistic missiles at rebels, U.S. military officials say. Report: Defected Syrian Helping U.S. IntelligenceThe Syrian government's former spokesman, Jihad Makdissi, is co-operating with U.S. intelligence officials, the British Guardian reports.Report: Syria Converted Combat Aircraft to Drones with WMDsA MiG-21 combat aircraft flown by a Syrian pilot who defected was found to have been upgraded back in Syria to carry chemical weapons. NATO Confirms Syria Firing Scuds on RebelsSyrian regime's Scud firing "an act of a desperate regime," says NATO's Secretary-General. Palestinian 'Refugees' Return to Damascus CampThousands of people recognized as Palestinian refugees return to the Yarmouk camp that has become a battle ground. Assad's Fall a Matter of Time, Says Turkish FMThe fall of Syria’s government is “only a matter of time,” predicts Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. |
