 Syrian Gunships Deployed as Rebels Make GainsHelicopter gunships attacked dissidents and rebels as fighting raged in the regime stronghold of Damascus and the key city of Aleppo. Arab League Offers Assad Safe ExitA ministerial committee of the Arab League has offered embattled Syrian president Bashar al-Assad a safe-exit if he agrees to step down. Israel Files Complaint Over Golan IncursionAn incursion into the Golan Heights by some 500 Syrian soldiers last week has led Israel to lodge a complaint with the United Nations. Syrian Rebels: Assad's Regime is CrumblingSyrian army defectors and rebel commanders say that Damascus attack would hasten the end of President Bashar Al-Assad's rule.Annan Seeks Delay as Powers Balk on SyriaThe world powers say they will not intervene as a bomb blast in Damascus raises questions about the regime's ability to survive. Annan in Iraq Seeking Solution to Syrian CrisisUN special envoy Kofi Annan is barnstorming the Mideast region looking for allies in his quest to end the ongoing bloodshed in Syria Annan Arrives in Tehran After Damascus TalksUN special envoy Kofi Annan arrived in Iran, where he hopes to enlist the aid of Tehran in salvaging his already sunk Syrian peace plan Annan Sees 'Progress; as Syrian Blood FlowsUN special envoy Kofi Annan says his talks with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad were 'productive' as at least 100 more are slain. Assad Blames U.S. for Fueling UprisingIn an interview on German TV, Syrian President Bashar Assad says the U.S. is partnering with those “terrorists”. France, Syrian Opposition Call for More SanctionsMore than 100 nations attended the Friends of Syria conference in Paris to discuss ways to topple President Bashar al-Assad. WikiLeaks to Release 2.5 Million Syrian CablesThe self-appointed whistle blowers of WikiLeaks have begun releasing a trove of Syrian emails revealing Western ties. Syria Violence Renders Observer Force MootUN observer chief Maj. Gen. Robert Mood says his force cannot resume its mission amid escalating violence; slams diplomats failuresMoscow Cuts Odds on Assad's Survival: '10%'Sources close to the Kremlin say Russian leaders have a grim view of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's future as a leader; no to asylum. Annan Spokesman: Syria Ceasefire 'Imperative'The death toll in the 16-month uprising against the Syrian regime tops 16,500 in President Bashar al-Assad's 'torture archipelago.' ‘Counter-Terrorism’ Laws Target Syrian OppositionThe Syrian regime ramps up its offensive; passes new counter-terror law, as opposition leaders discuss a 'post-Assad' Syria. Turkish FM Urges Syrian Opposition to UnityTurkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu warned Syria's often fractious opposition against discord saying only al-Assad would benefit Annan Optimistic as Syria BleedsUN special envoy Kofi Annan says he believes a ministerial crisis talk on Syria will yield 'an acceptable result.' Explosion Rocks Syrian Palace of JusticeA large explosion shook downtown Damascus as bloody fighting continues in and around the capital. Turkey Placing Aircraft on Syrian FrontierTurkish prime minister says Ankara is 'totally in the right' over the downing of one of its jets by Syria; incident 'won't go unanswered' Syria May Have Mistaken Turkish Jet for IsraeliThe downing of a Turkish fighter plane by Syria may have been a case of mistaken identity, a Syrian minister says amid rising tensions. Annan Invites Major Powers to Syria Pow-WowWith Syria's popular uprising crossing into civil war and tensions with Turkey rising, the major powers prepare to meet Erdogan: Turkey Does Not Intend to Attack SyriaTurkey's premier says Ankara has no intention of attacking Syria, but orders troops deployed on the Syrian border amid rising tensions Dozens Killed in Damascus Suburb ClashesFierce fighting on the outskirts of Damascus has left dozens killed in some of the heaviest fighting seen in Syria's capital to date. UN Monitors Visit Site of Latest Syrian MassacreUN monitors visit site of Mazraat al-Qubair massacre, report smelling burnt bodies and seeing body parts around the village.UN Monitors Blocked from Site of Syria MassacreUnited Nations monitors in Syria fired upon and prevented from accessing the site of the latest massacre in the country. U.S., Allies Call for Syria Transition GovernmentThe U.S., EU, Turkey and Arab states agree Assad must go but Russia and China are as obstinate as ever.Syria Accused of New Massacre as UN MeetsPresident Bashar al-Assad's regime stands accused of killing at least 78 people at Mazraat al-Qabeer as the world powers convene. Damascus 'Risking Genocide'Italy says Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's policies risk a genocide; France says new premier's appointment a 'masquerade' Syrian Rebels Kill at Least 80 Assad TroopsPresident Bashar al-Assad's fiery speech refusing to implement the Annan ceasefire plan has led FSA fighters to launch a new offensive Rebel Chief Calls on Annan to Admit FailureFSA chief Riad al-Assad called on UN envoy Kofi Annan to admit his peace plan had failed - and to free the rebels to act against the regime. Ban: Syria Massacres could Ignite Civil War“We are not there to play the role of passive observer to unspeakable atrocities," UN head says of presence in Syria.Saudi Scholar Puts Out Hit on AssadAs 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 High Noon in Syria: Rebels Give Assad UltimatumFSA commanders have given Syria's gov't until noon on Friday to honor a UN backed ceasefire – or face 'courageous decisions' Annan Leaves Syria Empty HandedUN envoy Kofi Annan left Syria without securing any 'bold steps' from officials to end the slaughter bleeding the country. UN Officials Finger Assad Thugs in Houla MassacreObservers say pro-Assad Shabiha thugs killed 108 in Houla 'execution style' – incl. women, children, and entire families 41 More Die as Annan Delivers Message to GunmenAn incensed Kofi Annan arrived in Syria for talks with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad bearing a message for 'everyone with a gun' Islamist at Core of Lebanon Bloodletting FreedA military judge in Lebanon has freed a radical Islamist whose arrest sparked deadly clashes in the country; bail $333. Syrian Fires Make Beirut BoilSyria's ongoing unrest has ignited the worst violence in Beirut since the 2008 clashes that almost plunged Lebanon into civil war Syrian Opposition Leader to Step DownSyrian National Council head Burhan Ghalioun announced he would step down amid allegations the Muslim Brotherhood secured his re-election 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 SFA Rebels Hiding UN Monitors From DamascusA group of UN monitors who may have seen a war crime in Syria are being hidden by SFA rebels until they can be safely extracted Panetta: Al-Qaeda Active In SyriaUS secretary of defense Leon Panetta says intelligence indicates Al-Qaeda is targeting the Syrian regime Twin Blasts Kill 55, Wound 372 in DamascusTwo powerful blasts targeting a security services building in Damascus during rush hour have wrought carnageAnnan: '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 UN Observers Under Pressure as Syria BleedsThe tiny UN observer force in Syria is under mounting pressure to enforce a UN-brokered ceasefire despite numbering only 30 Arab League to Press UN Security Council on SyriaAs violence continues unabated in Syria, the Arab League is set to ask the United Nations to take measures to protect civilians France and Turkey Mulling Syria InterventionAs violence rages on in Syria, Turkey wants to create a buffer zone; France wants to invoke Chapter 7 of the UN charter.UN Observers Seek to 'De-Escalate' Douma TensionsUN observers monitoring a tentative ceasefire in Syria are returning to Douma, where Assad's forces struck shortly after they departed Annan: The Situation in Syria is 'Bleak'Special envoy Kofi Annan told the Security Council that the situation in Syria is 'bleak' and expressed 'alarm' as violence continues UN Approves 300 Syria ObserversPressure from UN chief Ban Ki-Moon prompted Security Council to expand its Syria observer force tenfoldUN Monitors Set to Begin as Ceasefire UnravelsAn advance team of UN peacekeepers arrived to begin their work in Syria as the ceasefire they are to monitor is cast into further doubt Dawn Quiet Reported in SyriaA 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 CeasefirePresident Bashar al-Assad's forces have agreed to honor UN-Arab-league envoy Kofi Annan's ceasefire demand, if the rebels do too.... Annan Plan Unraveling As Fighting ContinuesUN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan's six-point peace plan is rapidly becoming a dead letter as fighting crosses his ceasefire deadline.Annan: Ceasefire Deadline — 0600 on April 12UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan gave Syrian troops, rebel fighters a deadline to stop fighting as bullets continue to fly across the country Russia May Back UN Draft on SyriaRussia has hinted it will consider backing a US drafted demand for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to honor an April 10 ceasefire date. Syria: Fighting Continues as Ceasefire LoomsAn advance team of UN peacekeepers are headed to Syria ahead of a planned ceasefire, but fighting has not abated. |
