Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 15, 2011

Syrian Tanks Attack Latakia, Third Day Of Assault -- Yahoo News/Reuters

AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian forces shelled residential districts in Latakia on Monday, residents said, the third day of an assault on Sunni neighborhoods of the port city which had seen mounting protests against President Bashar al-Assad's autocratic rule.



Assad, from Syria's minority Alawite sect, has broadened a military assault to try to crush a five-month street uprising demanding his removal since the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan on August 1, when daily protests against 41 years of the Assad family rule began to increase.



Read more ....

More News On The Unrest In Syria

Factbox: Syria's ancient city of Latakia bombarded -- Reuters

Syrian Tanks Attack Latakia, Third Day of Assault -- New York Times/Reuters

Syrian Navy Joins Attack on Key Rebellious Port City -- New York Times

Death toll in Syria's Latakia reaches 30 in mass crackdown -- RIA Novosti

Syria forces use naval power against Latakia -- L.A. Times

Syrian forces move offensive to Latakia -- UPI

Opposition: At least 21 dead after Syrian naval forces shell port city -- CNN

Syrian gunboats join fresh attack against protesters -- Washington Post

At Least 22 Killed in Syrian Government Attacks on Port City -- Voice of America



Besieged city of Hama has long been in Syrian regime's sights -- L.A. Times

Dissent in Damascus' Shadows: Driving Around Syria's Capital -- Time

SYRIA: Activist killed about every hour over 11 days in crackdown -- L.A. Times

Report: Spain offered Syria's Assad asylum -- Haaretz

Analysis -Iran sees ally Syria surrounded by U.S., Arab "wolves" -- Yahoo News/Reuters

Why Turkey Holds the Key to the Regional Power Game on Syria -- Tony Karon, Time

Syria's electronic army -- Jillian C. York, Al Jazeera

More about → Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 15, 2011

Syrian Naval Gunboats Now Being Used Against The Rebellious Port City Of Lataika

Syrian Navy Joins Attack On Key Rebellious Port City -- New York Times

BEIRUT, Lebanon — In yet another escalation of its crackdown on dissent, the Syrian government unleashed navy vessels, tanks and a mix of soldiers, security forces and paramilitary fighters against the port city of Latakia on Sunday, killing at least 25 people, including three children, activists and residents said.



The attacks in Latakia marked the third weekend in a row that the government has defied international condemnations in its campaign to stanch a remarkably resilient uprising, which began in March. The attacks have stoked fresh outrage, in part because they have come during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, traditionally a time of piety and festivity when observant Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.



Read more ....



Update #1: Syria forces use naval power against Latakia -- L.A. Times

Update #2: Syrian gunboats join fresh attack against protesters -- Washington Post

Update #3: Opposition: At least 21 dead after Syrian naval forces shell port city -- CNN



My Comment: Protests against the Syrian government are now happening in almost all areas of the country ... including (now) the suburbs of Damascus.

More about → Syrian Naval Gunboats Now Being Used Against The Rebellious Port City Of Lataika

Unrest in Syria -- News Updates August 12, 2011

Syria Unrest: 'Fresh Crackdown' In North And East -- BBC

Syrian forces have renewed their crackdown on protesters, activists say, with operations in Deir al-Zour in the east and Kahn Sheikhun in the north.



They said troops had opened fire on thousands of protesters in Deir al-Zour and attacked Kahn Sheikhun at dawn with tanks and troop carriers.



Protests were expected to intensify after Friday's noon prayers.



Activists reported eight deaths, taking the death-toll for the past 24 hours to more than 20.



Read more ....

More News On The Unrest And Violence In Syria

Syrian Forces Kill 46 in the Past Three Days, Activist Says -- Bloomberg Businessweek

Syria’s Security Forces Have Killed 50 in Past Three Days, Activists Say -- Bloomberg

Syrian troops fire as thousands protest Assad -- AP

Syrian troops fire on protesters in eastern city of Deir el-Zour -- Chicago Sun Times

Syrian Forces Open Fire on Protesters Following Friday Prayers -- Voice of America

'Syrian forces kill eight after prayers' -- Jerusalem Post/Reuters

Syrian tanks move into another restive town, opposition reports -- CNN

Syria sees fresh wave of anti-gov't protests -- Xinhuanet

Syrian crackdown widens despite world pressure -- L.A. Times

SYRIA: Activist killed about every hour over 11 days in crackdown -- L.A. Times

Syria unrest: US calls for wider sanctions -- BBC

US Directly Warns Syria Of Further Sanctions -- Wall Street Journal

Syria's neighbours jostle for position as the killings go on -- Sydney Morning Herald

Syria regime blunders toward self-destruction -- Christopher Phillips, CNN

More about → Unrest in Syria -- News Updates August 12, 2011

Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 10, 2011

Syrian Forces Press Assaults On Restive Areas -- New York Times

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Syria’s government rebuffed international calls for restraint Wednesday and pressed ahead with military assaults on restive locales in northern and eastern Syria, killing at least 35 people on an especially bloody day, activists and residents said.



The attacks underlined what appeared to be a decisive move by the government to try to crush an uprising during the holy month of Ramadan, when observant Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. So far this month, military and security forces have attacked Hama, in central Syria; Deir al-Zour, in the east; and now Idlib, along Turkey’s border.



Read more ....

More News On The Unrest In Syria

Syria is "pointing guns at own people": Turkish PM -- Yahoo News/AP

Turkey says Syria tanks leaving Hama, expects reforms -- Montreal Gazette/Reuters

Troops depart Hama but violence erupts in other Syrian cities -- CNN

Besieged Hama under full control of Syrian regime -- Yahoo News/AP

Syria protests: Troops renew attacks on pro-democracy demonstrators -- The Guardian

Syria vows to continue bloody crackdown -- Sydney Morning Herald

Syrian Government Launches New Raids Ahead of Security Council Meeting -- Voice of America

Syria defies pressure from neighbour as death toll rises -- The Independent

Syria defiant despite increased regional pressure -- Christian Science Monitor

Syria regime defiant as local pressure mounts -- CBS News

Bloodshed in Syria backfiring on government -- Washington Post

Syria heading to "point of no return": Egypt minister -- Yahoo News/Reuters

Syria's reformers refuse to be cowed -- Kansas City/McClatchy News

New Syrian barrage, U.S. sanctions readied -- UPI

Obama Administration to Call for Syria's Assad to Step Down -- FOX News

Syria: Barack Obama 'set to call for Bashar al-Assad to step down' -- The Telegraph

Opinion: Regional powers bear responsibility to rein in Syria's Assad -- Daniel Scheschkewitz, Deutsche Welle

When Will the World Get Serious About Syria? -- Kenneth Bandler, FOX News

Can Syrians dare to hope? -- Rana Kabbani, The Guardian

More about → Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 10, 2011

Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 9, 2011

Syria Unrest: Deadlock As Pressure Builds -- BBC

After nearly five months of uprising and carnage in Syria, nobody really knows whether President Bashar al-Assad and his Baathist regime will still be in power a year hence.



Analysts use phrases like "war of attrition" or "immovable object meeting irresistible force" to describe the stalemate between a popular revolt that will not go away, and a regime that seems determined to cling to power at any cost.



Both may have gone beyond the point of no return on the courses they have adopted.



If the regime were to heed calls to withdraw its army and security forces from the fray, it is clear that large parts of the country could spin out of control.



And if the rebels were to call off their uprising in the hope of securing political gains, they would risk being left with nothing but further severe repression.



Too much blood has been spilled for the clock to be turned back.



Read more ....

More News On The Unrest In Syria

Syria protests: Troops renew attacks on pro-democracy demonstrators -- The Guardian

Syria reacts to GCC criticism -- UPI

Syria defiant despite increased regional pressure -- Christian Science Monitor

Death Toll Mounts in Syria as World Powers Appeal for Calm -- Voice of America

Syria comes under global reproach for crackdown -- Yahoo News/AP

Turkish envoy completes visit to Syria to help quell unrest -- CNN

Syrian president vows to fight on, despite Turkish pressure -- Deutsche Welle

Assad rejects Turkish plea to halt crackdown -- Financial Times

Syrian President Bashar Assad target of war crimes investigation -- L.A. Times

Syrian Military Loyal So Far -- Voice of America

Secretive sect of the rulers of Syria -- Christopher Howse, Montreal Gazette/The Daily Telegraph

Analysis: Saudi switch against Syria's Assad is blow to Iran -- MSNBC

Syria Conflict Descends Into 'War of Attrition' -- New York Times/AP

The Arab States and Syria -- New York Times editorial

More about → Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 9, 2011

Is NATO Planning A Military Campaign In Syria?

Russia's envoy to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin. © RIA Novosti. Mikhail Fomichev

NATO Plans Campaign In Syria, Tightens Noose Around Iran - Rogozin -- RIA Novosti

NATO is planning a military campaign against Syria to help overthrow the regime of President Bashar al-Assad with a long-reaching goal of preparing a beachhead for an attack on Iran, Russia's envoy to NATO Dmitry Rogozin said.



The UN Security Council condemned on Wednesday ongoing violence in Syria and urged the country's authorities to stop using force against peaceful protesters, while saying the current situation in the country has not yet called for NATO interference.



Read more ....



My Comment: Just a disclaimer but Dmitry Rogozin reads this blog once in a while. As to what is my take on his comments .... offhand I would have to say that such a plan is not in the works. NATO has no stomach to get embroiled in another Arab conflict, and even if it did, it does not have the resources to get involved in such an undertaking. But .... I said the same thing when the Libyan civil war broke out, and the same Dmitry Rogozin mentioned that Nato was going to get involved militarily in that conflict. I disagreed with him then ... .and yes .... he proved me wrong. Am I wrong again and he is right again .... I sincerely hope not.



Update: Thinking a bit more, I have to change my viewpoint a little bit. Nato will get involved if Syria completely fractures and disintegrates into warring factions and sects, but it will be Turkey and other Arab states who will be taking the initiative. Hmmmm .... wow .... Turks coming back to Damascus .... talk about repeating history.

More about → Is NATO Planning A Military Campaign In Syria?

Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 8, 2011

Syria Unrest: Saudi Arabia Calls On 'Killing Machine' To Stop -- The Telegraph

Saudi Arabia has recalled its ambassador from Damascus for consultations, King Abdullah has said, in a statement calling on Syria’s leaders to “stop the killing machine”.



More than 250 Syrian tanks and armoured vehicles laid waste to the country's biggest eastern city, as the regime began a fresh offensive to crush dissent that left scores of people dead and raised fresh fears of civil war.



Impervious to international condemnation, even as the Arab League spoke out for the first time, Mr Assad's regime widened its Ramadan offensive against the increasingly emboldened protest movement seeking to overthrow him.



Read more ....

More News On The Unrest In Syria

Blasts, gunfire as Syria intensifies crackdown -- Yahoo News/AP

Syrian tanks pound city, Saudi king condemns violence -- Yahoo News/Reuters

Syrian army 'resumes shelling Deir al-Zour' -- BBC

Syria forces attack Sunni tribal area -- L.A. Times

52 people killed as tanks storm Syria -- The Sun

Troops fire on funeral as Saudi king calls on Syria to end the bloodshed -- Sydney Morning Herald

Saudi, Kuwait, Bahrain pull ambassadors from Syria as crackdown intensifies -- Washington Post

Arab League steps up pressure on Syria -- Sydney Morning Herald

Pressure Grows On Syria After Saudi King Criticizes Crackdown -- Radio Free Europe

Kuwait, Bahrain pull ambassadors from Syria -- Forbes/AP

Kuwait and Bahrain join regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia in recalling envoys from Syria -- Washington Post

Kuwait Joins Saudi Arabia in Recalling Ambassador From Syria -- New York Times

Saudi Arabia Deepens Syria's Regional Isolation -- Atlantic Wire

Syria's neighbours building a coalition against Assad's government -- The Telegraph

Syria: Understanding the unrest -- Arwa Damon and Richard Roth, CNN

Syria: Assad invites retribution -- Telegraph editorial

More about → Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 8, 2011

Saudi Arabia Calls For An End To The Violence In Syria

King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia. (File Photo)

Saudi Arabia Withdraws Ambassador From Syria -- Al Jazeera

King Abdullah for the first time forcefully joined growing Arab and international condemnation against Assad's actions.

Syrian troops fired on mourners at a funeral and raided an eastern city, killing at least 50 people as Arab and international pressure against the intensifying government crackdown grew.

The king of Saudi Arabia harshly criticised the Syrian government and said he was recalling his ambassador in Damascus for consultations.

"What is happening in Syria is not acceptable for Saudi Arabia," King Abdullah said in a written statement on Monday.

Read more ....

My Comment: Unfortunately for everyone, the Syrian Government is not listening.

More about → Saudi Arabia Calls For An End To The Violence In Syria

Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 5, 2011

'We're Being Slaughtered Like Sheep': Syrian Regime Kill 250 In Siege Town Of Hama In Just FIVE Days -- Daily Mail

Terrified residents of the beleaguered Syrian city of Hama described civilians being ‘slaughtered like sheep’ today as the death toll from the five-day offensive by troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad reached 250.

A one-year-old child was said to be among the dead with tanks and troops, backed by heavily armed militia loyal to Assad, accused of firing at anyone on the streets or on balconies.

One Hama hospital is reported to have been forced to ‘virtually close’ with its power supplies and generators stopped, medicines in short supply and staff unable to reach it.

Read more ....

More News On the Unrest In Syria

Syria Says It Put Down Hama Revolt; Protests Elsewhere -- New York Times
SYRIA: Gloves come off in violent suppression of protests [Videos] -- L.A. Times
Syrians describe bloody assault in Hama -- L.A. Times
Protest Marches Across Syria on First Ramadan Friday -- Reuters
Syria demonstrators rally despite crackdown -- Al Jazeera
Protests spread across Syria after Friday prayers; more reports of violence -- Washington Post
Thousands Protest in Syria, as Death Toll Mounts -- Voice of America
Thousands of Syrians rally to protest Hama killings -- National Post
Protesters hold large rallies in Syria -- UPI
10 Killed As Thousands Rally In Fresh Syria Protests -- Radio Free Europe
Syria security forces kill 10 at Friday protests -- Haaretz
Nine killed in protests across Syria on Ramadan Friday -- Reuters
Syrian troops fire on protesters, killing 10 -- Stars and Stripes/AP
Syria's tribal eastern region braces for army assault -- MSNBC
Syria violence: 'At least 2,000 killed', says US -- BBC
Clinton: Syria Death Toll Exceeds 2,000 -- Voice of America
U.S. Struggles to Drive Wedge in Syria's Military, Elite -- FOX News
Tough words, tighter sanctions for Syria, but no end to state-led violence -- Christian Science Monitor
Russia warns Syrian leader he may face 'sad fate' -- Stars and Stripes/AP
US and Russia issue warning for Syria's Bashar al-Assad -- The Telegraph
Four Things Washington Needs to Do Next With Syria -- Christian Whiton, FOX News
While Syria bleeds: Team Obama refuses to lead -- Benny Avni, New York Post
Whither Assad? How the Syrian Leader’s Days May Be Numbered -- Cecily Hilleary, Voice of America

More about → Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 5, 2011

Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 4, 2011

Toll Of Dead In Rebellious Syrian City Raised Sharply -- New York Times

BEIRUT, Lebanon — The Syrian military forces that rolled into the rebellious city of Hama and occupied its central square have killed more than 100 people over the past 24 hours, according to rights activists in satellite telephone contact with a witness in the city. The ominous new toll raised the rough count of civilian dead there to more than 200 since the military’s tanks began shelling Hama over the weekend.

The military’s assault on the city, a linchpin of the five-month-old uprising against the iron-handed government of President Bashar al-Assad, represents one of the fiercest effort yet to crush the uprising and a signal of Mr. Assad’s defiance in the face of growing international condemnation.

Read more ....

More News On The Unrest In Syria

Dozens die, thousands flee Syrian tank assault in Hama -- Reuters
Syrian city of Hama blacked out -- Yahoo News/AP
Syria Announces Reforms; Hama Remains Under Siege -- Voice of America
Syria's Assad decrees multi-party system -- Al Jazeera
Syria violence: Assad's multi-party decree dismissed -- BBC

U.N. council statement condemns use of force by Syria -- Yahoo News/Reuters
United Nations condemns Syrian violence as tanks continue Hama bombardment -- The Telegraph
UN Condemns Syria as Tanks Storm Central Hama -- Voice of America
Syrian protesters criticize UN Security Council statement as insufficient -- Christian Science Monitor
US hardens line on Syria's Assad -- AFP
White House toughens stance on Syria's Assad -- Yahoo News/Reuters

Hama: One City, Two Massacres -- Ishaan Tharoor, Time
Mired in Libya and Fearful of Consequences, West Holds Back From Syria Intervention -- Tony Karon, Times
Syria: Bloodier still -- The Economist
New Republic: The Rhetoric Isn't Helping Syria -- David Schenker, NPR
Opinion: The UN's condemnation of Syria is a feeble response -- Daniel Scheschkewitz, Deutsche Welle
Analysis: U.S. puts new emphasis on Syria opposition -- Reuters
Syria's Assad should be an international pariah -- Salman Shaikh, CNN
History Repeats Itself In Hama, Syria -- Voice of America editorial

More about → Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 4, 2011

Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 3, 2011

Syrian Government Launches New Attack On Hama -- Wall Street Journal

DUBAI—Syria's government launched a fresh bombing campaign on the city of Hama on Wednesday, moving tanks into the city's central square and cutting off telecommunications links at dawn, as President Bashar al-Assad appeared determined to resist mounting international pressure to end his crackdown.

Plumes of black smoke rose over several parts of the city as residents in a town four kilometers away reported awaking to sounds of explosions in Hama, the site of a 1982 crackdown on an Islamist insurgency that remains Syria's bloodiest campaign against dissent.

Read more ....

More News on The Unrest In Syria

Syrian Uprising Expands Despite Absence Of Leaders -- NPR

Protesters across Syria come under fire -- Al Jazeera

Witnesses: Syrian security jabs, thrusts into Hama -- CNN
Syrian troops, tanks push into Hama -- Washington Post
Syria Sends In Tanks to Storm Center of Rebellious City -- New York Times
Syria unrest: Tanks 'advance' on besieged city of Hama -- BBC
Syria: tanks continue assault on Hama (Video) -- The Telegraph
Syrian activists report blasts from besieged Hama -- AP
Syrian Forces Shell Hama as UN Struggles for Agreement on Condemning Assad -- Bloomberg
More tanks in Syria as UN talks continue -- Sydney Morning Herald
Restive Hama is historic hotbed of rebelliousness -- CNN

Outside Pressure On Syria -- New York Times
Russia, others block UN action on Syria abuses -- CBS
U.S. Envoy Describes 'Atrocious' and 'Ghastly' Abuses by Syrian Security Forces -- ABC News
U.S. Seeks Pressure on Syria, but Options Are Few -- New York Times
US evacuates embassy staff in Syria -- Financial Times
Obama administration intensifies pressure on Syria -- CNN

Oil firm says business as usual in Syria for now -- Reuters
Syrian unrest keeps oil traders on edge -- Financial Times

Analysis: Syria army keeps cohesion but risks overstretch -- Reuters
Why Obama must be cautious on Syria -- Blake Hounshell, CNN
Why Arab leaders are largely silent on Syria's brutal crackdown -- Nicholas Blanford, Christian Science Monitor
Is Bashar al-Assad running the killing show in Syria? -- Tariq Alhomayed, Global Arab Network
The New Hama Rules -- Tom Friedman, New York Times

More about → Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 3, 2011

Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 2, 2011

Rampage On Ramadan: Syrian Troops Advance Through Bloodbath City Of Hama On First Day Of Holy Festival -- Daily Mail

* Heavy government gun fire hits Hama this morning
* Fears that Muslim festival could spark violence
* 1,7000 civilians dead since protests began

Syrian troops advanced through the central city of Hama in a fresh crackdown a day after government forces killed 24 people.

Machine gun fire rang out through the city as a fresh onslaught against protesters was launched a day after the bloody fighting.

The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said most of Monday's 24 deaths were in Hama, which has been the target of a heavy military operation since Sunday.

Read more ....

More News On The Unrest In Syria

Death toll in Syria campaign reaches 125 -- Washington Post
Syrian forces intensify assault on Hama -- Washington Post
Syrian Forces Renew Strike on City of Hama -- New York Times
Syrian Troops Renew Attacks on Hama Ahead of UN Meeting -- Voice of America
Syria Targets Hama as Europeans Push for Condemnation at UN -- SFGate/Bloomberg
World ire mounts toward Syria amid bloody crackdown -- CNN
Obama Administration Urged to Rethink Syria Strategy Amid Bloodshed -- FOX news
Syria lobbies India to prevent UN condemnation -- Yahoo News/AFP

Syria’s Ramadan massacre -- Washington Post editorial
Analysis-Syria's Assad Embarks on Path of No Return -- New York Times/Reuters
Escalating Violence in Syria Paralyzes the West -- Michael Young, Daily Beast
Syria is on course for destruction -- Fadwa al-Hatem, The Guardian
Syria: The UN sits idly by -- Telegraph editorial
Preventing Civil War in Syria -- Elliot Abrams, Wall Street Journal

More about → Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 2, 2011

Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 1, 2011

'No Appetite For Military Action': Hague Rules Out Intervention In Syria Despite 140 Protesters Dying As Government Launches 'Full Armed Warfare' On The People -- Daily Mail

* Foreign Secretary says there must be 'additional sanctions' to pressure Bashar al-Assad's regime
* Government tanks shelled city of Hama, say residents
* Dawn raid follows siege lasting weeks
* Electricity and water cut to some districts
* Obama calls the reports 'horrifying'

William Hague has said there was 'not a remote possibility' of UN-backed military action against Syria despite the violence that has left up to 140 protesters dead.

President Bashar al-Assad’s tanks yesterday battered the city of Hama as the country’s government waged ‘full armed warfare’ on its own people to crush demonstrations.

The attacks came in response to protests that have raged for several months against his rule, pleading for political reform.

But the Foreign Secretary ruled out confronting the regime, saying there was no international appetite for military action.

Read more .....

More News On The Unrest In Syria

Rights group: 5 killed as violence erupts in Syria -- CNN
Tanks Shell Syria's Hama for Second Day, 4 Killed -- New York Times/Reuters
Syrian Military Extends Hama Assault on First Day of Ramadan -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Syrian Army Extends Hama Assault as 140 Die -- Bloomberg
Global outrage at Assad as 140 protesters die -- The Australian
Nearly 140 dead in Syria in clashes between army, protesters - -USA Today
Syria: 100 die in crackdown as Assad sends in his tanks -- The Guardian
Syrians Strike Restive Cities in Fierce Raids -- New York Times
Syrian Raid on Hama Kills 80 -- Voice of America
Syrian tanks storm protest epicenter of Hama -- Washington Post
Syria forces escalate attacks on protesters -- L.A. Times
Hama is hit again -- The Economist
Brotherhood: Alawite elite waging sectarian war in Syria -- Jerusalem Post
Video From Deadly Raids in Syria -- New York Times

Assad: Syria target of foreign conspiracy -- Haaretz
Assad: Conspiracy carefully plotted to fragment Syria -- Jerusalem Post
Assad praises troops for 'foiling enemies' of Syria -- Vancouver Sun/AFP
Syria will undermine "new chapter of conspiracy": president -- Xinhuanet

US, UN, EU Condemn Syria After Raid Kills at least 80 -- Voice of America
EU slaps more sanctions on Syria -- AP
EU Extends Syria Sanctions -- Wall Street Journal
Pressure Grows For UN Security Council Meeting On Syria Violence -- Radio Free Europe
UN Security Council Will Meet Today to Discuss Syria Violence, U.K. Says -- Bloomberg
Call for UN Security Council meeting on Syria crisis -- The Telegraph

Syria’s security forces -- Khaleej Times/AFP
Can non-violent struggle bring down Syria’s Assad? -- Reuters
Hillary Clinton goes AWOL on Syria as US State Department stays shamefully silent over Assad’s barbaric massacre of civilians -- Nile Gardiner, The Telegraph
To Topple Assad, It Takes a Minority -- Bassma Kodmani, New York Times
In Syria, the government is the real rebel -- Larbi Sadiki, Al Jazeera

More about → Unrest In Syria -- News Updates August 1, 2011

Bloodbath In Syria

Syria Kills At Least 150 On Ramadan Eve -- Bloomberg

At least 150 people were killed in Syria yesterday, al Jazeera reported, as soldiers sought to reassert control over a restive nation in one of the deadliest bouts of violence since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began more than four months ago.

The army took action the day before the start of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting and prayer. Tanks shelled Hama, Syria’s fourth-largest city, where at least 113 people were killed, the Qatari-based television network said, citing the National Organization for Human Rights in Syria.

Read more ....

Update: Scores die as Syrian forces attack defiant cities -- Yahoo News/AP

My Comment: What probably concerns the Syrian government even more are reports like this one. I cannot confirm this story, but if true it will indicate that as the protests and unrest continue (and grow), more fissures in the Syrian military will arise.

WNU Editor: A complete news roundup of what is happening in Syria will be done at 10:00 AM EST.

More about → Bloodbath In Syria

Unrest In Syria -- News Updates July 31, 2011

Dozens Reportedly Die As Syrian Army Storms Restive City -- MSNBC

Newspaper: Bodies scattered in street after tanks strike opposition stronghold.

Syrian army tanks stormed the city of Hama at dawn on Sunday, killing dozens of civilians, residents and rights groups said, after besieging it for nearly a month to crush some of the biggest demonstrations against President Bashar al-Assad's rule.

At least 45 civilians were killed, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told Reuters, quoting hospital officials in the city.

The Associated Press, meanwhile, reported that at least 23 people have been killed in Hama.

Read more ....

More News On The Unrest in Syria

Syrian unrest: 'Many deaths' as army attacks Hama -- BBC
Syrian army 'kills at least 95' in Hama -- AFP
SYRIA: Videos show Assad regime's bloody pre-Ramadan offensive -- L.A. Times
Over 120 dead in Syria crackdown -- Al Bawaba News
Slaughter on the streets of Syria: 45 killed as tanks storm rebel city of Hama -- Daily Mail
Syrian tanks kill protesters in Hama -- The Guardian
Scores dead as Hama attacked by Syrian troops -- The Telegraph
Groups: Government forces, protesters clash in Syria, killing 67 -- CNN
Dozens killed as Syria army storms Hama -- Vancouver Sun/Reuters
Syrian Raid on Hama Kills 45 -- Voice of America
Syrian troops intensify raids ahead of Ramadan -- Washington Post
Factbox: Syria's city of Hama, site of new assault -- Reuters

More about → Unrest In Syria -- News Updates July 31, 2011

Unrest In Syria -- News Updates July 29, 2011

The latest wave of repression came as tens of thousands took to the streets. Radio Free Europe

Syria Erupts In Fresh Friday Violence -- Al Jazeera

Security forces reportedly fire on crowds in Deraa and key oil pipeline bombed as Syria sees more clashes.

Security forces have fired at demonstrators in the southern city of Deraa as tens of thousands again took to the streets across Syria after Friday prayers to demand the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad, witnesses and activists said.

"They are firing at demonstrators in alleyways and people are running for cover. Protesters have been trying to avoid heavy security in main streets," a resident of Deraa told the Reuters news agency.

Read more ....

More News On The Unrest In Syria

Tens of thousands rally in Syria; troops open fire -- USA Today/AP
Syrian Forces Crack Down on Thousands of Protesters -- Voice of America
At least one killed as Syria security forces open fire on demonstrators -- Haaretz
Syrian forces kill two at demos after blast -- AFP
Syrian forces fire at Deraa protesters-witnesses -- Reuters
Security Forces Fire on Crowds in Syria (Video) -- UN Dispatch

Reports: Clashes, pipeline explosion hit Syria -- CNN
'Saboteurs' target oil pipeline in central Syria -- Haaretz
Explosion hits Syrian oil pipeline -- UPI
Assad faces armed challenge in oil-producing east -- Reuters

Syria: '3,000 missing' since start of uprising -- Daily Telegraph
Syrians Planning for Stepped Up Protests During Ramadan -- New York Times
New al Qaeda leader slams Syrian president, praises protesters -- CNN
Syrian revolt still spontaneous and leaderless -- Washington Post
Syrian opposition: Your silence is killing us -- Daily Star

More about → Unrest In Syria -- News Updates July 29, 2011

Unrest In Syria -- News Updates July 28, 2011

Report: Nearly 3,000 'Disappeared' During Syria Crackdown -- Voice of America

A global activist group says nearly 3,000 people have "disappeared" in Syria since March during the government's crackdown on a political uprising.

The Avaaz organization announced its findings on Thursday as it launched a campaign to pressure Syria to allow an international delegation to investigate the disappearances.

Read more ....

More News On The Unrest In Syria

Syria: '3,000 missing' since start of uprising -- The Telegraph
Report: 3,000 people missing in Syrian uprising -- AP
Thousands forcibly 'disappeared' by Syrian regime, says action group -- CNN
Syrian troops in 'deadly crackdown' -- Al Jazeera
Syria clamps down ahead of Friday rallies -- AFP
Syrian regime launches deadly Damascus raids on suspected protesters -- The Guardian
Syria forces kill eight in Kanaker raid - rights groups -- BBC
New al-Qaida chief praises Syrian protesters -- AP
Syrian opposition activists meet in Istanbul to plan strategy -- CNN
Syrians convene in Turkey to discuss regime change -- AFP
Syrian Protests May Increase During Ramadan -- Bloomberg
EU Set To Extend Syria Sanctions In Coming Days-Diplomats -- Wall Street Journal

More about → Unrest In Syria -- News Updates July 28, 2011