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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


October 2011 - Syria Special Weapons News

  • Arab League Awaits Syria's Reply on Crackdown VOA 31 Oct 2011 -- The Arab League is waiting for Syria to respond to a proposed plan that would end the country's deadly crackdown on an opposition uprising.
  • Syria's Assad Warns Of 'Earthquake' If West Intervenes RFE/RL 30 Oct 2011 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has warned of an 'earthquake' if the West intervenes in his country, where some 3,000 people have died since antigovernment protests began in March.
  • Assad says Western action against Syria 'could burn the whole region' RIA Novosti 30 Oct 2011 -- Western intervention against Syria, which has been rocked with protests against President Bashar al-Assad's regime, could cause 'an earthquake' that would 'burn the whole region,' Assad said in an interview with The Sunday Times.
  • Arab League Presses Syria to End Crackdown VOA 30 Oct 2011 -- Arab diplomats met Sunday with top Syrian officials in Doha, Qatar to try to de-escalate tensions between the Syrian government and the popular opposition as a bloody government crackdown draws more international condemnation.
  • Over 40 killed in Syrian protest crackdown - media RIA Novosti 29 Oct 2011 -- At least 44 people were killed in a crackdown on anti-government protest in Syria, Al-Jazeera reported on Saturday citing human rights groups.
  • Ban condemns latest killings of civilian protesters in Syria UN News Centre 29 Oct 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke out today against the reported killing of dozens of protesters in Syria, urging Government authorities to immediately end their military operations against civilians and answer the people''s call for reforms.
  • Syrian Forces Strike Homs for Second Day VOA 29 Oct 2011 -- Syrian government forces shelled parts of the restive northern city of Homs Saturday, causing numerous casualties, say witnesses. Dozens of people were killed or wounded Friday, after security forces opened fire on demonstrators in towns and cities across the country. Arab League foreign ministers are also demanding that the government stop firing on unarmed civilians.
  • Diplomats: No Breakthrough in Syrian Nuclear Talks VOA 29 Oct 2011 -- Diplomats say talks this week between Syrian officials and top U.N. nuclear inspectors yielded no immediate breakthrough in the probe into Syria's suspected nuclear sites.
  • 4 Killed in Syria's South, Massive Rally in North VOA 27 Oct 2011 -- Syrian activists say security forces have killed four people in the country's south while supporters of President Bashar al-Assad held a big rally in the northwest.
  • Syria's Assad Meets With Arab Officials Trying to Halt Violence VOA 26 Oct 2011 -- At least 20 people were killed in violence in Syria, as President Bashar al-Assad met with an Arab League delegation.
  • Arab Officials Meet Assad As 13 Killed In Syria RFE/RL 26 Oct 2011 -- A delegation of senior Arab officials has met with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, as renewed violence in the country claimed at least 13 more lives.
  • Arab ministers head to Syria for mediation talks RIA Novosti 26 Oct 2011 -- An Arab delegation will meet with Syrian officials in Damascus in an attempt to launch dialogue between President al-Assad and the opposition.
  • Syrian Government Accused of Targeting Protesters in Hospitals VOA 25 Oct 2011 -- The Syrian government has turned hospitals into instruments of repression in its efforts to crush opposition, according to a new report by the London-based human rights group Amnesty International. Amnesty says wounded patients in at least four government-run hospitals have been subjected to torture and other ill-treatment, including by medical workers.
  • Security Forces, Deserters Clash in Syria VOA 25 Oct 2011 -- Syrian security forces have clashed with suspected army deserters on a road in northwestern Syria.
  • U.S. Ambassador Pulled Out Of Syria Amid Security 'Threats' RFE/RL 24 Oct 2011 -- The U.S. ambassador to Syria has been pulled out of the country because of what the State Department called 'credible threats' to his safety.
  • EU leaders urge Assad to step down RIA Novosti 23 Oct 2011 -- The leaders of the European Union on Sunday called on Syria's president to step down as international pressure mounts on the regime after months of violent crackdown against protesters.
  • EU Leaders Threaten Syria with More Sanctions, Urge Assad to Resign VOA 23 Oct 2011 -- The European Union has threatened more sanctions against Syria if the government crackdown on dissent continues.
  • Moscow slams Western draft resolution on Syria RIA Novosti 21 Oct 2011 -- The Western draft resolution on Syria could provoke a Libyan scenario in the country, Russian Prime Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
  • Qaddafi's Death Fuels Syrian Protests, 13 Killed RFE/RL 21 Oct 2011 -- Reports say protesters poured into the streets of cities across Syria after weekly Muslim prayers on Friday to demand the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
  • Rights Activists: Syrian Forces Kill 13 Protesters VOA 21 Oct 2011 -- Rights activists say Syrian security forces killed at least 13 demonstrators Friday.
  • 20 Killed in Syria as Thousands Rally for Assad VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- Syrian activists say at least 20 people have been killed during unrest in other parts of the country.
  • 6 Killed in Syria, Thousands Rally for Assad VOA 19 Oct 2011 -- Tens of thousands of Syrians are rallying in support of the government in the northern city of Aleppo.
  • Ban urges Syrian leader to stop civilian deaths UN News Centre 17 Oct 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban urged Syrian President Al Assad to take decisive action to put an end to civilian deaths.
  • Arab League Calls For Dialogue In Syria RFE/RL 17 Oct 2011 -- The Arab League plans to bring together Syria's government and opposition groups to seek ways to end the violence in the country.
  • Arab League urges Syria talks within 15 days RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2011 -- The FMs of the Arab League member states have called on Syrian President al-Assad and the opposition to begin talks within 15 days.
  • Syrian Forces Kill 25; Government Accused of Targeting Doctors VOA 17 Oct 2011 -- Syrian security forces killed at least 25 people when they attacked the opposition stronghold of Homs.
  • Rights Group Says Five Syrian Troops Killed Fighting 'Defectors' RFE/RL 17 Oct 2011 -- A rights group says five Syrian soldiers have been killed in clashes with gunmen suspected to be army defectors.
  • Arab League Keeps Syria as Member VOA 16 Oct 2011 -- Arab diplomats asked the Syrian government on Sunday to open a dialogue with anti-government protesters. A Syrian "national dialogue" is set to be held at Arab League headquarters in two weeks, but commitment from Damascus for the planned talks is unclear.
  • Arab League Calls for Dialogue in Syria VOA 16 Oct 2011 -- The Arab League says it will bring together Syria's government and opposition groups in an attempt to end the country's ongoing violence.
  • 2 Killed at Funeral for Syrian Victim VOA 15 Oct 2011 -- Syrian security forces have fired shots at mourners attending the funeral for a child.
  • UN: Syria Death Toll Rises Above 3,000 RFE/RL 14 Oct 2011 -- The death toll in Syria has risen to over 3,000 as violence there continues on a daily basis.
  • UN human rights chief urges immediate action on Syria as death toll passes 3,000 UN News Centre 14 Oct 2011 -- The United Nations human rights chief today urged the international community to act immediately to protect lives in Syria, where the number of people killed since the violence started in March has now exceeded 3,000, including over 180 children.
  • Thousands Protest in Support of Syrian Army Defectors VOA 14 Oct 2011 -- Thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets across Syria following Friday prayers, in what organizers are calling the 'Friday of the Free Army.' The government crackdown goes on with the United Nations estimating that 3,000 people have been killed since protests began in mid March.
  • Activists: Clashes in Syria Kill at Least 13 VOA 13 Oct 2011 -- Syrian rights activists say clashes between government security forces and armed men believed to be army defectors have killed at least 13 people across Syria.
  • Virginia Man Accused of Acting as Unregistered Agent of Syrian Government and Spying on Syrian Protestors in America US Dept. of Justice 12 Oct 2011 -- Mohamad Anas Haitham Soueid, 47, a resident of Leesburg, Va., has been charged for his alleged role in a conspiracy to collect video and audio recordings and other information about individuals in the United States and Syria who were protesting the government of Syria and to provide these materials to Syrian intelligence agencies in order to silence, intimidate and potentially harm the protestors.
  • Syrian opposition says no dialog with Assad RIA Novosti 11 Oct 2011 -- The opposition Syrian National Council will not hold talks with the authorities, the council's interim head, Burhan Ghalyoun, said on Tuesday.
  • Syria's Assad to set up constitution committee 'within two days' RIA Novosti 11 Oct 2011 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will establish a special committee within the next two days to draw up a new constitution, Syrian newspaper al-Watan said on Tuesday, quoting Muhammed Buheytan, deputy head of the Syrian ruling Ba'th party.
  • Top Syrian Cleric Warns of Suicide Bombs if West Attacks VOA 10 Oct 2011 -- Syria's top Sunni Muslim cleric has warned Western countries against military intervention, threatening to retaliate with suicide bombings in the United States and Europe if his country comes under attack.
  • France set to establish relations with Syrian opposition RIA Novosti 10 Oct 2011 -- France intends to establish relations with the Syrian National Council being formed by the opposition, the French foreign minister said on Monday.
  • Syrian Troops Crack Down in Flashpoint City VOA 10 Oct 2011 -- Activists say Syrian troops cracked down against government opponents in the tense flashpoint city of Homs again on Monday after at least 31 people were killed in clashes across the country on Sunday.
  • Damascus warns against recognizing rebel council RIA Novosti 09 Oct 2011 -- Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem has threatened with 'strict measures' against any country that would recognize the 'illegitimate' Syrian opposition council.
  • Syrian Foreign Minister Warns Against Recognizing Opposition VOA 09 Oct 2011 -- Syria's foreign minister on Sunday threatened 'tough measures' against any country that recognizes a newly formed opposition council. Meanwhile, government forces killed 13 people as bloodshed continued throughout the country.
  • Syrian Forces Kill 5 During Funeral of Kurdish Leader VOA 08 Oct 2011 -- Syrian Kurdish leaders are accusing government security forces of firing on mourners during the funeral of a prominent Kurdish party leader Saturday in the northern town of Qamishli. At least five mourners were killed and three others wounded after shooting broke out during the funeral procession. This comes a day after opposition activists say 20 people were killed during demonstrations across Syria.
  • Turkey Moves to Directly Support Syrian Opposition VOA 07 Oct 2011 -- The Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is increasingly taking the lead in supporting the Syrian opposition. Erdoğan condemned the vetoing of a United Nations resolution against Damascus and has announced it will impose its own sanctions. This week saw the start of military exercises on the Syrian border.
  • Syrian opposition council to form administrative body on Saturday RIA Novosti 07 Oct 2011 -- The administrative body of Syria's opposition Transitional National Council will be formed during a meeting of opposition leaders in Cairo on Saturday, regional media reported on Friday, quoting the council's interim head, Burhan Ghalyoun.
  • More Deaths in Continuing Syrian Protests VOA 07 Oct 2011 -- Protests took place in several dozen Syrian towns and cities Friday, despite government attempts to prevent demonstrators from congregating after prayers. At least eight people died and dozens were wounded after security forces opened fire on demonstrators.
  • SYRIA: Concerns over 'rampant torture' IRIN 06 Oct 2011 -- Six months into pro-democracy protests in Syria, allegations of human rights abuses perpetrated by supporters of President Bashar al-Assad's regime proliferate.
  • Clinton: UN Security Council 'Abrogated Its Responsibility' On Syria RFE/RL 06 Oct 2011 -- The United States has continued for a second day to criticize the United Nations Security Council for failing to pass a resolution condemning the Syrian regime's deadly crackdown on protesters
  • Death toll from Syrian violence tops 2,900, UN human rights office says UN News Centre 06 Oct 2011 -- The death toll from months of violent clashes between Syrian Government forces and pro-democracy protesters has now climbed to 2,900, the United Nations human rights office said today.
  • UN Chief Sees 'Moral Obligation' to End Bloodshed in Syria VOA 05 Oct 2011 -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the international community has a 'moral obligation' to prevent further bloodshed in Syria, a day after a European-drafted resolution aimed at curbing the violence failed at the U.N. Security Council.
  • U.S. 'Outraged' After Russia, China Veto UN Syria Resolution RFE/RL 05 Oct 2011 -- The United States says it is 'outraged' by a veto by Russia and China of a draft UN Security Council resolution condemning Syria over its crackdown on antigovernment protesters.
  • Russia vows to prevent repetition of 'Libya scenario' RIA Novosti 05 Oct 2011 -- Moscow will oppose any attempt to 'abuse' UN Security Council decisions to achieve the overthrow of 'undesirable regimes,' the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
  • Russia's veto on UN Syria sanctions 'slap in the face' - U.S. RIA Novosti 05 Oct 2011 -- The U.S. envoy to the UN Security Council has expressed outrage at Russia and China for blocking a draft resolution on Syrian sanctions.
  • Top French diplomat says Paris mulls new initiatives against Syria RIA Novosti 05 Oct 2011 -- France may ask the UN Security Council to consider new initiatives to put pressure on the Syrian authorities after Russia and China vetoed its previous draft resolution, the French foreign minister said on Wednesday.
  • Syrian opposition leader condemns Russian, Chinese veto RIA Novosti 05 Oct 2011 -- The Syrian opposition condemned Russia and China on Wednesday for vetoing a UN Security Council draft resolution urging the Syrian regime to immediately stop violence against protesters or face 'targeted measures,' the Sawa radio station reported, quoting opposition leader Burhan Ghalyoun.
  • Turkey Threatens Syria Sanctions Despite UN Resolution Veto VOA 05 Oct 2011 -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his government will impose its own sanctions on Syria, despite the failure of a European-drafted resolution at the U.N. Security Council.
  • Russia, China veto UN resolution on Syria RIA Novosti 05 Oct 2011 -- Russia and China have used their veto right and blocked a draft UN resolution that threatened sanctions against Syria if President Bashar Assad's government continued violence against the opposition in the country.
  • Russia offers compromise on UN resolution against Syria RIA Novosti 05 Oct 2011 -- Moscow calls on the UN Security Council to continue the search for a balanced approach toward the political crisis in Syria based on a draft resolution prepared by Russia and China, Russia's envoy to the UN said.
  • Russia and China veto draft Security Council resolution on Syria UN News Centre 04 Oct 2011 -- China and Russia today vetoed a draft resolution in the Security Council that had strongly condemned Syrian authorities for their violent crackdown against pro-democracy protesters this year and called for an immediate end to human rights abuses.
  • Russia, China Veto UN Resolution on Syria VOA 04 Oct 2011 -- Russia and China vetoed a European-drafted U.N. Security Council resolution late Tuesday condemning a government crackdown in Syria and calling for the immediate end to the violence. The resolution had nine votes in favor, but four countries abstained - India, Brazil, South Africa and Lebanon.
  • Syrian Embassies Accused of Threatening Activists Overseas VOA 04 Oct 2011 -- Syrian embassies are being accused of carrying out a campaign of intimidation against activists and protesters living abroad.
  • Syrian Authorities Seize Smuggled Weapons VOA 03 Oct 2011 -- Syria says authorities have seized a cache of weapons smuggled into the country from neighboring Turkey.
  • Syrian Opposition Groups Create National Council to 'Overthrow' Assad VOA 02 Oct 2011 -- Syria's major opposition groups have created a national council aimed at unifying their efforts to overthrow the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
  • Syrian Government Forces Gain Ground in Rastan Assault VOA 01 Oct 2011 -- Witnesses say that Syrian government forces, backed by tanks, have gained ground inside the rebel town of Rastan. The military operation against hundreds of defectors, backed by residents of the town, began five days ago, amid heavy artillery bombardment.



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