Syria Unrest

Security Council to Vote on Sanctions on Syria

UN Security Council will vote on a resolution that threatens Syrian authorities with sanctions if they do not stop using heavy weapons.

Syria: 'Most Intense' Fighting Reported in Damascus

Syria's army blasts rebel strongholds in Damascus, sparking the “most intense” fighting in the capital since the revolt erupted.

Defecting Syrian Diplomat: Only Force Can Bring Down Assad

Nawaf Fares, Syria's ambassador to Iraq who defected: There is no way Assad can be pushed from power without force.

West Seeks Sanctions on Assad if Violence Continues

Western powers seek a UN resolution that gives Assad ten days to silence his heavy guns or face tough sanctions.

Syria's Ambassador to Iraq Defects

Syria's ambassador to Iraq, Nawaf Fares, has defected from the regime of embattled President Bashar al-Assad.

Russia Sends Naval Flotilla to its Base in Syria

Russia sends a naval flotilla of seven warships to its naval base at Tartus. Officials claim deployment unrelated to Syrian unrest.

Haifa's Rambam Hospital Prepared to Treat Syrian Casualties

Deputy Minister Ayoub Kara tours Haifa's Rambam Hospital, assured it is prepared to receive casualties from Syria.

Assad Blames U.S. for Fueling Uprising

In an interview on German TV, Syrian President Bashar Assad says the U.S. is partnering with those “terrorists”.

Ban Calls to Reduce Number of Syria Observers

Ban Ki-moon calls to reduce the number of unarmed military observers in Syria, put more stress on political efforts to end the conflict.

U.S. Welcomes Defection of Top Syrian General

U.S. says the defection of a top general from the Syrian regime is “significant”, but notes that Assad still “has loyalists around.”

Top Syrian General Defects to Turkey

Manaf Tlass, a Syrian general who was a leading member of Assad's inner circle, has defected to Turkey.

15th General Defects from Syria to Turkey

A Syrian general and a number of soldiers among 66 Syrians who flee into Turkey in one day.

Report: 85 Syrian Soldiers Defect to Turkey

Nearly 300 Syrians have defected to Turkey, including 85 soldiers, Turkey's state-run news agency reports.

Syria: At Least 83 Killed as Forces Storm Damascus Suburb

At least 83 people killed across Syria, hundreds trapped in Douma as regime forces storm the town in Damascus province.

Syrian Troops Continue to Bombard Damascus Suburb

Syrian troops bombard a rebellious suburb of Damascus with tank and artillery shells, killing dozens of people.

U.S. Group Cancels Talk by Syria's Grand Mufti

Foundation for Middle East Peace rescinds an invitation to Syria's top Muslim cleric after learning he threatened suicide bombings.

Russia Suspends Missile Contract with Syria

Russia’s main weapons producer suspends its contract with Syria to supply S-300 long-range missile systems.

Senior Hamas Official Murdered in Damascus

A senior member of Hamas was murdered in Damascus, the group says, vowing to investigate the murder.

Syria in a Real Situation of War, Says Assad

Syrian President Bashar Assad tells the new parliament that Syria must secure victory in the war against anti-regime rebels.

Annan Wants Iran to be Part of Talks on Syria

Kofi Annan proposes inviting Iran to a multinational meeting to discuss Syria, leaves it up to the U.S. and Russia to decide.

Syria: Government Accuses Rebels of Massacre

Syrian government accuses rebels of killing 25 shabiha - who often operate as hired enforcers of Assad's regime.

Report: More Senior Syrian Officials May Defect

Members of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle are secretly making plans to defect to the opposition, say U.S. officials.

Syrian Opposition Cries Out for Help in Homs

Syria's opposition issues cry for help on as regime forces pound Homs, leaving hundreds trapped with little food or water.

France Considering Providing Aid to Syrian Rebels

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says his country is considering providing communications equipment to Syrian rebels.

EU to Assad: No More Luxuries for You

The European Union imposes a ban on exporting some luxury items to Syria.

Report Reveals Assad's 'Shopping List' from Russia

The Associated Press reveals some weapons systems Russia has recently shipped to Syria or pledged to deliver.

Syria Claims to Arrest Suicide Bomber as Unrest Continues

Syrian authorities claim to have arrested a terrorist who was planning to commit a suicide attack in a mosque.

UN Observers in Syria Attacked as Civil War Continues

UN observers in Syria blocked from a besieged rebel-held town, as peacekeeping chief admits there is a civil war.

Kara: All of Assad's Officers Were Trained in Iran

Deputy Minister Ayoub Kara warns of the dangerous connection between Syria's Assad, Iran and Hizbullah.

Kara: Israel Willing to Treat Syrian Casualties

Deputy Minister Ayoub Kara says Israel would be willing to help treat casualties from the ongoing fighting in Syria.

Report: Assad's Forces Using Unidentified Gas on Civilians

Syrian opposition claims Assad using toxic material, unidentified gas on Syrian civilians.

Syria: At Least 78 Dead in Yet Another Massacre

Syrian activists report that Assad's forces have killed at least 78 people in Hama, in a massacre similar to the one in Houla.

White House Urges International Unity Against Assad

White House: Assad was lying when he denied his regime had any involvement in the Houla massacre.

Assad: Houla Massacre is More than Monstrous

Syrian President Bashar Assad says the Houla is monstrous, continues to blame "terrorists" for the crackdown on anti-regime protesters.

Putin Warns of Dangerous Situation in Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin warns of an “extremely dangerous” situation in Syria, continues to reject a military intervention.

UNHRC Condemns Syria for Houla Massacre

UN Human Rights Council condemns Syria for the Houla massacre, calls an investigation into the killing of more than 100 civilians.

Hizbullah Wants to Move Far-Reaching Scuds from Syria

Hizbullah looking to move Scud D missiles, which can reach Eilat, and modern anti-aircraft equipment from Syria to Lebanon.

Syria Claims Rebels Behind Houla Massacre

Syria blames 800 rebel fighters for the massacre in Houla last week that killed more than 100 people, nearly half of them children.

IDF Commander Warns Against Possible Conflict with Syria

IDF’s Northern District Commander says the civil war in Syria may lead to a confrontation with Israel.

Children Protest Syrian Massacre Outside Russian Embassy

A protest against the ongoing killings of innocent civilians in Syria took place outside the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv.

Iran Warns: Foreign Intervention in Syria Will Bury Israel

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani says that foreign intervention in Syria will spread and "bury the Zionist regime".

U.S. Rejects Military Option in Syria

White House spokesman Jay Carney says military action in Syria would not be "the right course of action."

Expert: The World is Letting Syria 'Bleed to Death'

Arutz Sheva speaks with Middle East expert Dr. Eyal Zisser, who says the world cannot do much about the ongoing civil war in Syria.

At Least 50 Dead in Massacre in Homs

President Bashar Assad's forces kill at least 50 civilians, including 13 children, in an attack in the province of Homs.

Huge Demonstrations in Syria as Troops Continue Crackdown

Tens of thousands of activists take to the streets of Aleppo and Idlib in Syria, at least 28 killed across the country.

Sanctions Hurting Assad, but Iran is Stepping In

Assad is quickly spending through his cash reserves as sanctions choke off many sources of funding, but is getting help from Iran.

Syrian Forces Fire on Protesters in Aleppo

Syrian forces fire on protesters holding the largest opposition marches yet in Aleppo, Syria's largest city.

Assad: We're Fighting Against Foreign Mercenaries

Syrian President Bashar Assad insists in TV interview his regime is fighting against foreign mercenaries, not innocent Syrians.

UN Monitors Safe After Being Saved by Syrian Rebels

UN observers evacuated from a northern Syrian town, a day after a roadside bomb hit their convoy and left them stranded with rebels.

Syrian Opposition Says Assad Destroying Peace Plan

Syrian opposition leader says the Assad regime is trying to destroy a U.N.-brokered peace plan for the country.

Syria: Nasty Brutish And Short

Insurgent Campaign Strikes Assad's Image Of Stability Guarantor

The bombs in Damascus are an attempt to undermine the Hobbesian legitimacy of the Assad regime.

Erodgan Says Assad 'Losing Grip' on Syria

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Assad's grip on Syria is getting weaker and “victory is close.”

Syria: Teen Killed as Violence Spreads to Aleppo

Syrian forces fire on thousands of protesters in Aleppo, as violence spreads to the major economic hub.

Syria: 4 Students Dead in Raid on University

At least four people killed as Syrian forces storm student dormitories an anti-government protest at Aleppo University.

Head of UN Mission: Only Syrians Can Achieve Peace

The head of the UN observer mission to Syria: even 1,000 unarmed observers could not end the violence on their own.

Syria: 11 People Killed in Damascus Blast

No end to Syria violence: Damascus blast kills 11, and security forces continue to attack anti-regime protesters.

Syria's Grand Mufti Blames Arab Spring on West, Israel

The Grand Mufti of Syria says the Arab Spring is nothing but a Western plot that will "benefit the Zionist entity".

UN Demands Syrian Government Stop Violence

UN Secretary-General demands that the Syrian government comply with its commitment to withdraw troops and heavy weapons from cities.

UN Monitors Visit Battered Syrian City

Five unarmed UN monitors tour Homs. Syrian security forces pull out just prior to the visit.

Europe, Russia Disagree Over Resolution on Syria

European nations and Russia propose rival resolutions on Syria, call for expanding number of monitors but disagree on sanctions.