Bashar Al-Assad

Russia, US Nearing Proxy War in Syria

France wants UN to call for "all means" to end Syrian carnage.Russia accused the US of arming Syrian rebels. Cold War or proxy war?

Assad’s Fall May Expose Russian War Crimes

Russian attack helicopters for Assad signals its need to prevent exposure of alleged Russian involvement in chemical weapons.

UN Accuses Syria of Using Children as ‘Human Shields’

Assad’s armed forces kill and sexually attack children and use them as human shields, the United Nations charged Monday.

Opposition Leader: Assad Should Transfer Power to Deputy

The new leader of Syria's exiled opposition calls President Bashar al-Assad to transfer power to his deputy.

‘Israel in Shadow of Syria’s Chemical Weapons’

Assad, termed by journalist Joel Brinkley as the “world’s most dangerous man,” could use chemical weapons on Israel, warns IDF general.

‘Evil Iran-Syria-Hizbullah Axis Bares Its Face,’ Says Netanyahu

The “evil axis” of Iran, Syria and Hizbullah has “bared its face.” The world now sees Israel's true environment, Netanyahu says.

Heavy Fighting Reported on Streets of Damascus

Heavy fighting is reported on the streets of Damascus, with battles affecting a power station supplying electricity to army bases.

Report: Assad's Forces Using Unidentified Gas on Civilians

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

Damascus 'Risking Genocide'

Italy says Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's policies risk a genocide; France says new premier's appointment a 'masquerade'

White House Urges International Unity Against Assad

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

Syrian Rebels Kill at Least 80 Assad Troops

President Bashar al-Assad's fiery speech refusing to implement the Annan ceasefire plan has led FSA fighters to launch a new offensive

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.

Saudi Scholar Puts Out Hit on Assad

As global blow-back for the Houla massacre mounts, a death bounty of $450,000 has been put on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's head

Annan Leaves Syria Empty Handed

UN envoy Kofi Annan left Syria without securing any 'bold steps' from officials to end the slaughter bleeding the country.

Iran: Israel to Blame for Syrian Massacres

Iran is trying to displace the blame on Israel for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's terrorism against his people, and its backlash.

UN Officials Finger Assad Thugs in Houla Massacre

Observers say pro-Assad Shabiha thugs killed 108 in Houla 'execution style' – incl. women, children, and entire families

‘Whoever Loses in Syria Will Get Slaughtered’

Whoever loses in Syria will get slaughtered, says Mideast expert Guy Bechor. The struggle will go on for years, and not to Israel’s benefit.

Report: US Mulling Arms for Syrian Rebels

The US may be on the verge of arming Syria's rebels, but officials worry where the guns will be pointed when the revolution ends

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.

Suicide Bombing in Yemen Bad Sign for Obama

Mammoth suicide bombing in Yemen Monday is another blow to Obama’s attempt to show the Arab world democracy works.

Barak: Syria's Assad is 'Doomed'

Defense Minister Ehud Barak urged the int'l community to hasten the departure of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, which he says is inevitable

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.

US Helps Gulf States Arm Syrian Rebels: Report

The US is coordinating with Saudi Arabia and Qatar in arming Syrian rebels. Syria’s Muslim Brotherhood also is involved.

Report: Israel to Search for Oil on the Golan Heights

Report: Israel has decided to search for oil on the Golan Heights after 20 years of delay due to objections from Syria.

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.

Diplomats Line Up to Condemn Syria Violence

Int'l luminaries lined up to condemn the continued violence in Syria as the United Nations remains deadlocked in inaction.

Twin Blasts Kill 55, Wound 372 in Damascus

Two powerful blasts targeting a security services building in Damascus during rush hour have wrought carnage

Annan: 'Last Chance to Avoid Civil War'

UN-Arab envoy Kofi Annan and peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous say Assad's forces continue their assault despite cease-fire committments

Syrian Rebels Fight Back with Suicide Bombs

Assad’s brutality, including starvation, has driven rebels to fight back with suicide bombs. Twenty killed in attack on security forces.

Cruelty beyond imagination

Video Shows Syrian Soldiers Burying Rebel Alive

Gruesome footage appears to show Assad loyalists burying a man alive. BBC not sure it is genuine.

UN Approves 300 Syria Observers

Pressure from UN chief Ban Ki-Moon prompted Security Council to expand its Syria observer force tenfold

Clinton Warns Assad Squandering 'Last Chance'

As fighting continues in Syria despite a UN-backed ceasefire, the top US diplomat threatens 'tougher measures' on al-Assad

Syria Liquidating Gold to Mitigate Sanctions

Western and Arab sanctions have caused Damascus' currency to sink and depleted its cash reserves, forcing Syria to seek to sell its gold.

New Video Calls for Syria's First Lady to Defy Husband

As Syrian President Bashar Assad continues his war on his opponents, diplomats’ wives call on Asma Assad to defy him.

UN Monitors Set to Begin as Ceasefire Unravels

An advance team of UN peacekeepers arrived to begin their work in Syria as the ceasefire they are to monitor is cast into further doubt

Assad Sends Helicopters to Bomb Syrians

Assad sent helicopters to back up tanks in an escalation of violence against protesters despite a ceasefire that no one expected to last.

Syria to Refugees: Time to Come Home

Syria's interior ministry on Thursday called on refugees who escaped to Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon to come home

Dawn Quiet Reported in Syria

A UN-backed ceasefire has taken tentative hold in Syria as activists report quiet in key conflict cities; no troop pullback thus far.

Syria Promises Dawn Ceasefire

President Bashar al-Assad's forces have agreed to honor UN-Arab-league envoy Kofi Annan's ceasefire demand, if the rebels do too....

Video: Assad 'Kills' Ceasefire, Rebels Fight Back

Assad redefined the term ceasefire by continuing to murder rebels, but at a lesser rate. Video shows rebels killing regime loyalists.

Video: ‘Crazy’ Assad Shoots in Syria and at Refugees in Turkey

Has Assad lost his mind? Soldiers fire on refugees in Turkey, China is getting fed up, and the Chicago Tribune insinuates he is crazy.

New Conditions from Syria's Assad, Won't Withdraw Troops

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has come up with new conditions in order to withdraw his troops from cities as promised by April 10.

UN Negotiating Deployment of Syria Observers

Norway's Maj. General Robert Mood is negotiating the deployment of an unarmed UN observer force in Syria.

Russia May Back UN Draft on Syria

Russia has hinted it will consider backing a US drafted demand for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to honor an April 10 ceasefire date.

Russia's Lavrov Warns Against Arming Syrian Opposition

Russia’s foreign minister warned other nations against arm thein Syrian opposition, saying it would only escalate hostilities.

Fierce Fighting in Syria Despite Pullout Claims

Even as President Bashar al-Assad's government claims it is honoring a pullback agreement, his troops are striking at rebels.

Report: Syrian Troops Begin Pullout from Some Cities

Syrian government claims troops are withdrawing from cities ahead of ceasefire, but opposition is saying otherwise.

Syria: Fighting Continues as Ceasefire Looms

An advance team of UN peacekeepers are headed to Syria ahead of a planned ceasefire, but fighting has not abated.

Syria: Assad Agrees to April 10 Pull Back

Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has agreed to implement a ceasefire plan by former UN chief Kofi Annan on April 10.

US Officials: Assad is Winning

US intelligence reports indicate Syrian president Bashar al-Assad isn't going anywhere as the world refuses to back the rebels.

'Friends of Syria' to Send Millions in Aid to Rebels

A coalition of more than 70 partners pledges to send millions of dollars and communications equipment to Syria's opposition groups

70 Foreign Nations Meet in Istanbul Over Syria

As regime forces continue to slaughter Syrians, foreign ministers debate if and how to arm rebel fighters against gov't troops in Syria.

Syrian 'Peace': Fresh Clashes Break Out

Clashes erupt across many parts of Syria, despite Assad having accepted a peace plan brokered by UN envoy Kofi Annan.

Annan to Assad: 'The Deadline is Now'

UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan has demanded Syrian president Bashar al-Assad immediately implement an agreed to ceasefire.

Syrian Opposition: Implement Peace Plan Within 2 Days

Syrian opposition willing to accept Kofi Annan's peace plan if Assad's complies with its points within two days.

UN Human Rights Chief: No Statute of Limitations for Assad

UN human rights chief Navi Pillay says there is enough evidence to prosecute Syrian president Bashar al-Assad for war crimes.

Arab League Calls on Syria to Halt Violence

The Arab League wants to resolve the crisis in Syria, but Damascus refuses to consider the 22-nation body's appeal until it is reinstated.

UN Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in Syria

UN Sec'y-Gen. Ban Ki-moon has called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to immediately implement the ceasefire deal he agreed to.

Syrian Army Seizes City Despite 'Peace Plan'

Syrian Army troops have taken control of the central city of Kalat el-Mudik despite the government having allegedly accepted a peace plan.

Syria Formally Accepts 'Annan Peace Plan'

President Bashar al-Assad has formally accepted a UN-backed peace plan penned by special envoy Kofi Annan.