December 2011 - Syria Special Weapons News

9 Killed in Syria, Opposition Groups Unite VOA 31 Dec 2011 -- Activists say Syrian forces killed at least nine people on Saturday, as Arab League observers were in the fifth day of their mission to monitor the government's pledge to end a crackdown on dissent.
Red Cross: Humanitarian Aid Hampered by Violence in Syria VOA 31 Dec 2011 -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it is concerned about the escalating violence in Syria. The aid organization says it is particularly worried that the wounded and sick are unable to get access to medical care.
Sudanese Chief of Arab Observers in Syria Slammed by Rights Groups VOA 30 Dec 2011 -- Human rights groups and Syrian opposition activists are outraged that a Sudanese general from a nation with a checkered human rights record is heading an Arab league mission to measure Syria's crackdown on dissent.
Syrian opposition urges resignation of Arab League's monitoring mission head RIA Novosti 30 Dec 2011 -- The Syrian opposition is pushing for the resignation of a Sudanese general heading the Arab League's monitoring mission in Syria, al Arabiya reported on Friday.
Mass Anti-Government Rallies Spike Across Syria VOA 30 Dec 2011 -- Large crowds of anti-government protesters poured into the streets of many Syrian towns and cities Friday, heeding calls by opposition leaders to make a show of strength, as Arab League observers pursue their mission. Government forces fired on protesters causing a number of casualties.
Syrian Forces Kill 19 as Monitors Visit More Regions VOA 29 Dec 2011 -- As thousands protested across Syria against the government, activists say Syrian security forces killed at least 19 people on Thursday, including some in an area visited by Arab League monitors.
Syria frees over 750 anti-government protesters RIA Novosti 28 Dec 2011 -- Syrian authorities on Wednesday freed 755 people arrested during anti-government protests, the national TV channel Syria reported.
Monitoring mission in Syria may remove need for UN measures - Lavrov RIA Novosti 28 Dec 2011 -- If the League of Arab Nations monitoring mission relaxes tensions in Syria and gives an impetus to a multi-party dialogue there will be no need for UN Security Council measures, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.
Activists: Syrian Forces Fire at Protesters While Monitors Tour Country VOA 28 Dec 2011 -- Activists say Syrian security forces fired shots at protesters in Hama on Wednesday as Arab League monitors toured other regions to track the extent of the government's crackdown on dissent.
Arab League monitors arrive to Syria RIA Novosti 27 Dec 2011 -- A group of Arab League monitors arrived to Syria late on Monday on a mission to check whether the peace plan is being observed, Al Jazeera reported.
Syrian Forces Fire Tear Gas in Homs as Monitors Visit VOA 27 Dec 2011 -- Activists say Syrian security forces have fired tear gas at thousands of protesters who rallied in Homs on Tuesday as Arab League monitors visited the flashpoint city to track the government's crackdown on dissent.
Fresh Syria Violence With Arab Observers On Way RFE/RL 26 Dec 2011 -- Activists say at least 20 people were killed when Syrian security forces shelled residential areas of the flashpoint city of Homs in the hours ahead of the reported arrival of dozens of Arab League monitors hopeful of the end of the violence.
Syrian Opposition Urges Arab Observers to Go to Homs VOA 25 Dec 2011 -- An exiled Syrian opposition leader has urged the Arab League to send a nascent observer mission to the central city of Homs, where rights activists say government troops have intensified a crackdown on dissent.
Funeral for Damascus Bombing Victims Turns Into Pro-Assad Rally VOA 24 Dec 2011 -- A mass funeral in Damascus for the victims of a double suicide car bombing on Friday has turned into a strong show of support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose government is under pressure from a nine-month opposition uprising.
Syria: Ban reiterates concern over worsening bloodshed as blasts claim more lives UN News Centre 23 Dec 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced grave concern over the escalating violence in Syria, including today’s explosions in the capital, Damascus, which resulted in more deaths and injuries, and reiterated his call for an immediate end to the bloodshed.
US Condemns Syria Terror Bombings VOA 23 Dec 2011 -- The United States is condemning Friday’s car bombings in Damascus and says it is crucial that the terror attacks not hinder the Arab League mission now arriving in Syria to monitor human rights abuses. Analysts say the monitoring force is too small given the widespread anti-government unrest in Syria.
Suicide bombers kill dozens soldiers, civilians in Damascus attacks IRNA 23 Dec 2011 -- Two suicide bombers drove explosive-laden vehicles into Syrian security targets including the military court in Damascus on Friday. Damascus TV said 30 soldiers and civilians are killed and 55 wounded.
Suicide Bombings Target Security Sites in Damascus, Dozens Dead RFE/RL 23 Dec 2011 -- Syria's government says two suicide attacks on security sites in the capital, Damascus, have killed and injured scores of civilians and soldiers.
Syria Says 40 Killed in Twin Bombings VOA 23 Dec 2011 -- Syrian officials say twin suicide bombings in Damascus have killed at least 40 people and left 150 others injured.
Syria Blames al-Qaida for Double Car Bombings in Damascus VOA 23 Dec 2011 -- Syrian government TV showed graphic images of burnt bodies and body parts from what it claims were two al-Qaida car bombs in front of the intelligence headquarters in the Damascus suburb of Kfar Sousa. Opposition figures, however, are claiming that the government perpetrated the bombings.
SYRIA: Violence, sectarianism stalk Homs IRIN 22 Dec 2011 -- Syria's central city of Homs is in a state of quasi-civil war, as violence becomes a daily routine, with sectarianism increasing and living conditions deteriorating, say residents and government opponents.
Arab League observers head to Syria RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2011 -- Representatives of the Syrian opposition will gather for a meeting proposed by the Arab League at the beginning of 2012, the Arab media reported, citing Arab League General Secretary Nabil al-Arabi.
Arab League Team Arrives in Syria VOA 22 Dec 2011 -- An advance team of Arab League observers has arrived in Syria, amid a mounting death toll from a crackdown on opposition unrest.
Syrian Opposition Urges UN to Act After 'Massacre' VOA 21 Dec 2011 -- The opposition Syrian National Council has urged the United Nations Security Council and the Arab League to take action after reports that government troops "massacred" more than 200 people in two days.
UN welcomes move enabling Arab League monitors to visit Syria UN News Centre 20 Dec 2011 -- The United Nations said today it is encouraged by the signing of a protocol paving the way for monitors from the League of Arab States to go to Syria as part of efforts to end the violence that began earlier this year in the Middle East country.
Syrian Activists Report More Killings as Arab League Readies Observers VOA 20 Dec 2011 -- Syrian activists say fighting Tuesday between Syrian government troops and army defectors has killed or wounded at least 100 deserters, as the Arab League prepares to send observers to monitor its plan to end Syria's months of violence.
Syria Sets Death Penalty for Terrorist Arms Smugglers VOA 20 Dec 2011 -- Syria's state-run news agency says President Bashar al-Assad has issued a new law allowing for a death sentence for anyone found to be distributing arms to terrorists.
General Assembly urges Syria to implement Arab League plan to end violence UN News Centre 19 Dec 2011 -- United Nations Member States today called on Syrian authorities to immediately implement the plan of action proposed by the League of Arab States to resolve the crisis that has engulfed the country since a public uprising began near the start of the year.
Syria Signs Arab League Deal Calling for Outside Monitors VOA 19 Dec 2011 -- Syria has agreed to an Arab League plan allowing observers into the country to verify if the government will honor a deal to stop its security forces from attacking anti-government protesters.
Arab Officials: Syria's Assad to Sign Peace Plan Soon VOA 18 Dec 2011 -- Senior Arab officials say they expect Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to quickly sign an Arab League peace plan aimed at ending his deadly crackdown on a nine-month-long opposition uprising.
Syrian Forces Kill 17; Huge Protests in Homs VOA 16 Dec 2011 -- Activists say Syrian security forces killed at least 17 people as more than 200,000 protesters rallied against President Bashar al-Assad's government.
Russia Circulates New UN Draft On Syria RFE/RL 16 Dec 2011 -- Russia has distributed to the 14 other United Nations Security Council members the draft of a new resolution aimed at pressuring the Syrian regime.
Russia proposes surprise Syria resolution RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2011 -- The United States has said it is prepared to work with Russia on a draft resolution it proposed to the UN Security Council on the crisis in Syria.
Hopes Rise for UN Action on Syria VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- Russia proposed a new draft resolution condemning the violence in Syria, giving rise to hopes the U.N. Security Council will end its relative silence.
27 Dead After Syrian Government Forces, Defectors Clash VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- Reports from Syria say military defectors killed at least 27 soldiers in intensifying bouts of armed resistance.
Syrian Army Defectors Reportedly Kill 27 Soldiers VOA 15 Dec 2011 -- Rights activists say Syrian army defectors have killed at least 27 soldiers and security force members.
US Congressional Panel Seeks to Aid Syrian Opposition VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- A congressional subcommittee panel examined U.S. policy toward Syria, asking what lawmakers can do to help the opposition.
Rights Activists Say 25 Syrians Killed in Attacks VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- Rights activists said violence across Syria killed at least 25 people, including eight Syrian troops.
Activists: At Least 20 Killed As Syrian Forces Storm Hama RFE/RL 14 Dec 2011 -- Activists say at least 20 civilians have been killed by security forces across Syria, 11 of them in the flashpoint region of Hama.
Rights Activists: Syrian Army Defectors Kill 8 Troops in Retaliatory Attack VOA 14 Dec 2011 -- Gunmen thought to be army defectors killed at least eight Syrian troops in a retaliatory attack.
Syrian Defectors Kill 7 Security Force Members in Revenge Attack VOA 13 Dec 2011 -- Rights activists say Syrian army defectors killed seven government security force members while ambushing a patrol.
Diplomats Distressed About Syrian Unrest VOA 13 Dec 2011 -- Several U.N. Security Council members say they are distressed by information presented at a meeting by the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights.
UN Says Syria Crackdown Death Toll Exceeds 5,000 VOA 13 Dec 2011 -- The United Nations says the death toll from months of unrest in Syria has now surpassed 5,000 people.
UN Says More Than 5,000 Have Been Killed Since Syria Protests Began RFE/RL 13 Dec 2011 -- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said more than 5,000 people have been killed during the uprising in Syria.
Russia's Lavrov Says Western Stance On Syria 'Immoral' RFE/RL 13 Dec 2011 -- Russia's foreign minister has rebuffed calls on Moscow to back sanctions against Syria, saying that ultimatums won't help end the crisis.
Syria sanctions ‘counterproductive’ - Moscow RIA Novosti 13 Dec 2011 -- Russia continues to oppose sanctions against Syria, which would be counterproductive, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
Syrians’ turn out at election polls noticeable IRNA 13 Dec 2011 -- Syria’s 10th Local Administration Councils Elections which began at 7:00 a.m. Monday was a scene for noticeable turn out of Syrian voters at election polls in most parts of the country.
Syria's Opposition Split Over Civil, Armed Unrest VOA 12 Dec 2011 -- Syria's opposition has launched a new form of civil disobedience with a general strike, even as armed resistance escalates.
Voter Turnout Low in Syria Municipal Elections Amid Protests VOA 12 Dec 2011 -- Syria's government is holding local council elections as it downplays anti-government unrest.
Syrians Vote as Fighting Spreads, Strikes Continue VOA 12 Dec 2011 -- Fierce clashes between Syrian security forces and army defectors continued in several parts of the country.
Soldiers Battle Defectors In Syria RFE/RL 12 Dec 2011 -- Soldiers are reported to have fought defectors in one of the biggest battles yet of Syria's nine-month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.
Defectors Fight Syrian Troops As Opposition Begins General Strike VOA 11 Dec 2011 -- Syrian opposition sources say nearly to 20 people were killed across the country Sunday as bitter fighting erupted in several parts of the country. The fighting occurred as many towns and cities appear to have observed a call for a general strike.
UN rights chief says Syria could plunge into civil war as more soldiers defect UN News Centre 09 Dec 2011 -- The United Nations human rights chief warned today that Syria could descend into civil war as more members of the armed forces defect, noting that nearly 1,000 of the estimated 4,000 people who have died in the bloody crackdown on protesters have been members of the security forces.
Syrian Forces Kill At Least 24 as Protests Spread VOA 09 Dec 2011 -- Syrian activists say security forces have killed at least 24 people, including several children, as anti-government protests spread nationwide.
Syria Blames Oil Pipeline Explosion on Sabotage VOA 08 Dec 2011 -- There has been a major explosion in a Syrian pipeline carrying oil to a refinery near the restive city of Homs. This, as violence from the country's nine-month uprising escalates.
U.S.: Syria's Assad 'Disconnected' Or 'Crazy' RFE/RL 08 Dec 2011 -- The United States says Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must be either "disconnected" from reality or "crazy," after Assad claimed that he was not responsible for the killing of thousands of anti-regime protesters by Syrian security forces.
Syria's Assad denies ordering to kill protesters RIA Novosti 07 Dec 2011 -- Embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has denied his responsibility for the bloody crackdown on dissent and said he did not feel guilty for the crimes committed by 'extremists' and 'terrorists' in his country.
Assad Denies Responsibility for Syrian Protest Deaths VOA 07 Dec 2011 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has denied he ordered the killing of thousands of anti-government protesters, telling a U.S. journalist he does not control the forces implementing his country's brutal crackdown.
Clinton Meets with Syrian Opposition VOA 06 Dec 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with senior Syrian National Council members in the Swiss capital to discuss their specific ideas for transitioning toward democracy, especially any ideas that include reaching out to minorities.
Violence Flares as Damascus 'Positive' Towards Observers VOA 05 Dec 2011 -- Syria said Monday it has responded 'positively' to an Arab League demand to let league observers into the country, while Syrian rights activists say at least 11 people died in violence.
Syria Faces New Sanctions as Violence Continues VOA 04 Dec 2011 -- Syria faced new sanctions Sunday after ignoring an Arab League deadline to let observers into the country as part of a plan to end a military crackdown on protests, which the U.N. says has killed at least 4,000 people.
Syria shrugs off UN resolution as 'unfair, politicized' RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2011 -- Syrian diplomats dismissed on Saturday a new resolution of the UN human rights watchdog as unfair and blatantly politicized, the Foreign Ministry said.
Arab League Confirms Sanctions on Syria as Unrest Intensifies VOA 03 Dec 2011 -- The Arab League on Saturday froze assets of 19 top Syrian officials and banned them from traveling to Arab states.
Syria Denounces UN Resolution as Death Toll Rises VOA 03 Dec 2011 -- Violent clashes between Syrian government troops and rebel soldiers in Syria's northern Idlib Province Saturday have left a large number of casualties, at least 23 according to activists.
Russia slams ‘one-sided’ UN Rights Council resolution on Syria RIA Novosti 02 Dec 2011 -- The UN Human Rights Council should not be used to interfere in Syria’s internal affairs or achieve political goals.
UN Rights Body Blasts Syria, Names Investigator RFE/RL 02 Dec 2011 -- The UN's top human rights body has appointed a special investigator to probe abuses in Syria and criticized that country's crackdown.
UN Human Rights Council Condemns Syria VOA 02 Dec 2011 -- The UN Human Rights Council has strongly condemned “the continued widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights” in Syria.
UN HRC strongly condemns abuses by Syrian authorities UN News Centre 02 Dec 2011 -- The UN Human Rights Council strongly condemned the continued abuses by the Syrian authorities as part of its violent crackdown against protesters.
UN Rights Council Holds Urgent Session On Syria RFE/RL 02 Dec 2011 -- The United Nations Human Rights Council is due to hold an emergency session on the conflict in Syria.
UN Rights Chief Urges ICC Referral Of Syrian Crimes RFE/RL 02 Dec 2011 -- The UN's human rights chief has called for the situation in Syria to be referred to the ICC over the regime's crackdown.
French-Based Syrian Opposition Threatened VOA 02 Dec 2011 -- France is upping security for members of Syrian opposition groups who live or work in France.
Report: Russia Delivers Anti-Ship Missiles To Syria Regime RFE/RL 02 Dec 2011 -- Russia's Interfax news agency has reported that Russia has delivered anti-ship cruise missiles to Syria's regime.
Syria answers Turkey by suspending free trade deal RIA Novosti 02 Dec 2011 -- Syria has suspended an agreement on a free trade with Turkey in response to Ankara’s economic sanctions against Damascus.
Statement by the Press Secretary on EU actions targeting Iran and Syria The White House 01 Dec 2011
Iran Issues Top EU Foreign Ministers' Meeting RFE/RL 01 Dec 2011 -- European Union foreign ministers have beefed up their sanctions against Iran at a meeting in Brussels in the aftermath of this week's storming of the British Embassy in Tehran.
White House Welcomes Tightened EU Sanctions on Iran, Syria VOA 01 Dec 2011 -- The White House on Thursday welcomed new steps by the European Union to tighten sanctions on Iran and Syria.
EU toughens sanctions against Iran, Syria RIA Novosti 01 Dec 2011 -- Foreign ministers of the 27 European Union member states approved a fresh round of sanctions against Syria and Iran at their meeting.
Syrian crisis reaching stage of civil war UN News Centre 01 Dec 2011 -- The deteriorating situation in Syria is now close to a civil war and the death toll from the nine-month crackdown by the country’s security forces against protesters has passed at least 4,000.
UN Says Syria In 'Civil War', Death Toll Above 4,000 As More Sanctions Imposed RFE/RL 01 Dec 2011 -- The United Nations says more than 4,000 people have been killed in Syria in the eight-month crackdown.
US, EU Tighten Syria Sanctions as Death Toll Mounts VOA 01 Dec 2011 -- The U and the EU tightened sanctions on Syria as the UN said the death toll in the Damascus government’s crackdown on protestors now exceeds 4,000.
EU, Arab League Tighten Syria Sanctions VOA 01 Dec 2011 -- European Union diplomats say member nations have agreed to tighten sanctions on Syria.
‘No ban’ on Russian arms supplies to Syria RIA Novosti 01 Dec 2011 -- EU sanctions against Syria do not prohibit Russian arms supplies to the Arab country.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

December 2011 - Syria Special Weapons News