Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Further Reading

• Ban calls for preventing further tensions in Syria UN News Centre 31 Jan 2013 -- Secretary-General Ban noted with “grave concern” reports of Israeli air strikes in Syria.
• Syria Vows to Hold Israel Accountable for Air Strike VOA 31 Jan 2013 -- Syria has vowed to hold Israel and its allies accountable for a suspected Israeli air strike on a Syrian military target near Damascus.
• Syria Protests Israeli Air Strike VOA 31 Jan 2013 -- Syria's foreign ministry on Thursday complained to the United Nations about an Israeli air strike on Syrian territory.
• Damascus Complains To UN Over Air Strike RFE/RL 31 Jan 2013 -- Syria has lodged an official complaint with the United Nations over what it says was an Israeli air strike on a military research center near Damascus.
• Israeli Airstrike Inside Syria Concerns Russia VOA 31 Jan 2013 -- Russia is expressing concern about an alleged airstrike by Israeli warplanes inside Syria.
• Russia Concerned by Reports of Israeli Air Strike on Syria RIA Novosti 31 Jan 2013 -- Moscow is “deeply concerned” over reports of Israeli air strikes on Syrian territory on Wednesday and is seeking confirmation of what could be a serious violation of the UN charter.
• Syria Says Israeli Warplanes Hit 'Research Center' RFE/RL 31 Jan 2013 -- The Syrian Army says Israeli aircraft have struck what it described as a "scientific research center" northwest of the capital, Damascus.
• Syria Says Israel Strikes Military Facility RIA Novosti 31 Jan 2013 -- An Israeli airstrike hit a military research center in Syria on Wednesday, Syrian state news agency SANA reported, citing a statement by the Syrian army’s general command.
• Israelis Grab Gas Masks amid Syrian WMD Fears RIA Novosti 31 Jan 2013 -- The demand for gas masks almost tripled in Israel in January amid concerns about the safety of the Syrian chemical weapons stockpile.
• Biden to Focus on Syria During Europe Trip VOA 31 Jan 2013 -- The civil war in Syria will be a major topic when U.S. Vice President Joe Biden meets with leaders in three European nations, starting Friday. Biden will visit Germany, France and Britain.
• Russia Slams Clinton’s “Bias” Over Moscow’s Syria Position RIA Novosti 31 Jan 2013 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry slammed outgoing US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for a recent statement which referred to Russia’s “unwillingness” to assist in settlement of the Syria conflict.
• Israeli Warplanes Strike Inside Syria VOA 30 Jan 2013 -- Israeli warplanes struck inside Syria Wednesday for the first time in five years.
• Israeli Concerns Rise Over Syria's Chemical Stockpile VOA 30 Jan 2013 -- Israeli Air Force planes reportedly struck a target in southern Syria near the border with Lebanon.
• UN-Arab League envoy watching for Syrian reactions to opposition offer on talks UN News Centre 30 Jan 2013 -- Reaffirming the importance of negotiation to stop the carnage in Syria, the Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States reacted cautiously to reports that an opposition leader was ready to hold talks with the Syrian Government.
• More than $1.5 billion pledged for Syria humanitarian response – UN UN News Centre 30 Jan 2013 -- Countries and regional organizations today pledged more than $1.5 billion to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by the conflict in Syria, exceeding the initial target set by the United Nations and its partners.
• Donors pledge $1.5 billion in aid to Syria while demanding more access IRIN 30 Jan 2013 -- In the largest ever fundraising conference in UN history, the international community pledged today more than US$1.5 billion in humanitarian aid for the people of Syria.
• UN Chief Says Syria Aid Pledges Exceed $1.5 Billion Target RFE/RL 30 Jan 2013 -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says a conference to boost relief aid for Syria has exceeded its initial target of $1.5 billion.
• UN Appeals for More Aid, Halt to Syria Fighting VOA 30 Jan 2013 -- Foreign donors pledged more than $1.5 billion to help the United Nations conduct relief operations for Syrian refugees.
• Aid Groups in Syria Use Diverging Methods to Deliver Supplies VOA 30 Jan 2013 -- The United Nations says an international donor conference has raised about $500 million for humanitarian relief efforts inside war-ravaged Syria.
• UN Hosts Conference On Syrian Refugees RFE/RL 30 Jan 2013 -- The United Nations is urging a major boost in relief aid for Syrians caught up in the country's devastating civil war.
• Obama Authorizes Additional Aid for Syria RIA Novosti 30 Jan 2013 -- US President Barack Obama announced he has authorized an additional $155 million in humanitarian aid for the people of Syria.
• Jordan and Lebanon Unable to Cope with Syrian Refugee Flow RIA Novosti 30 Jan 2013 -- The leaders of Lebanon and Jordan said their countries were unable to handle the inflow of refugees from the neighboring Syria, and asked for help from the international community.
• Bodies Of “Executed Men” Discovered In Syria RIA Novosti 30 Jan 2013 -- The bodies of dozens of young men, all apparently executed with gunshots to the head or neck, have been found in a river in the northwestern Syrian city of Aleppo.
• Security Council must act now to address Syria crisis, UN-Arab League envoy stresses UN News Centre 29 Jan 2013 -- The Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian crisis, Lakhdar Brahimi, called on the Security Council to take action to advance a solution to the ongoing conflict, warning against any further delay.
• UN Syrian Envoy: Syria 'Breaking Apart' VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- The United Nations-Arab League envoy for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, warned that Syria “is being destroyed.”
• Bombs Target Syrian Bakeries, Customers VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- President Bashar al-Assad’s military is attacking bakery facilities in rebel-held areas of the country in an attempt to undermine support for insurgents who have been trying for two years to topple his government.
• Syrian Activists Say Dozens of Bodies Found in River VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- Syrian opposition activists say the bodies of at least 65 people apparently shot in the head have been found in a river in the northern city of Aleppo.
• Syrian Rebels Say Dozens Found Shot Execution-Style In Aleppo RFE/RL 29 Jan 2013 -- Syria's opposition says the bodies of some 65 men and boys executed with their hands bound have been found in the city of Aleppo.
• Syrian Rebels Hail Russia’s ‘New Stance’ on Syria RIA Novosti 29 Jan 2013 -- The rebel Free Syrian Army said it considers Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's statement on Syria as a “new stance” by Moscow, which will speed up the ousting of the embattled Assad regime.
• Ukraine to Evacuate 24 Nationals from Syria RIA Novosti 29 Jan 2013 -- Ukraine will evacuate another 24 nationals from Syria, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.
• Statement by the President Announcing $155 Million in Additional Humanitarian Assistance for the Syrian People The White House 29 Jan 2013
• The U.S. Announces Additional Humanitarian Assistance in Response to the Syrian Crisis US Dept. of State 29 Jan 2013
• UN Reports Sharp Rise in Syrian Refugees VOA 29 Jan 2013 -- The U.N. refugee agency reports a sharp rise in the number of Syrian refugees in neighboring countries.
• Syrian refugees head to Lebanon’s Shia south IRIN 29 Jan 2013 -- Syrian refugees (mostly Sunnis) are increasingly settling further south, in Lebanon’s Shia heartland, dominated by the political and militant group Hezbollah, a long-time ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
• France Urges International Support for Syrian Opposition VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- France urged Western and Arab nations meeting in Paris to make good on pledges to support Syria's opposition, warning that failure to do so would play into the hands of Islamist extremists.
• Israel Security Chief Visits Russia Amid Syrian WMD Concerns RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2013 -- Israel's Security Council head Yaakov Amidror headed to Russia on Monday.
• With No Foreign Meddling, Syrian War Over in 2 Weeks - Assad RIA Novosti 28 Jan 2013 -- Assad: The civil conflict in Syria can be over in two weeks if foreign fighters and weapons stop trickling in through the border with Turkey.
• Russia 'Never Supported' Syrian Government VOA 28 Jan 2013 -- Russia says it "never supported" the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
• Press Conference by Humanitarian Affairs Operations Director on Situation in Syria, 28 January 2013 United Nations 28 Jan 2013
• Syria humanitarian needs growing more acute, UN official stresses ahead of donor forum UN News Centre 28 Jan 2013 -- A senior United Nations relief official turged greater funding to assist millions of people in need amid a deteriorating situation inside the country and a particularly harsh winter in the region.
• Presidential Memorandum - Presidential Determination Regarding the Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration Needs Relating to Syria The White House 28 Jan 2013
• UN: To avoid tensions with refugees, Lebanese hosts need support IRIN 28 Jan 2013 -- Donors channelling funds towards Syrian refugees in Lebanon must also assist their poor Lebanese hosts to diffuse rising tensions.
• Medvedev: Assad Made 'Fundamental' Mistake RFE/RL 27 Jan 2013 -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made a 'fundamental, perhaps fatal' mistake by not implementing political reforms and drawing in the opposition more quickly.
• Assad's Chances to Keep Power 'Smaller and Smaller' - Medvedev RIA Novosti 27 Jan 2013 -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Sunday Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has made a "grave, possibly fatal mistake' and his chances of retaining power are getting 'smaller and smaller' every day.
• Russian PM: Delaying Syrian Reforms May be 'Fatal' Error for Assad VOA 27 Jan 2013 -- Russia has made one of its strongest criticisms of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to date, saying the longtime Russian ally made a potentially 'fatal' error by delaying democratic reforms demanded by Syria's opposition.
• First Patriot Battery in Turkey Operational - NATO RIA Novosti 27 Jan 2013 -- The first of six Patriot batteries being deployed by NATO along Turkey's border with Syria was declared operational on Saturday, the alliance said in a statement.
• Iran: Syrian army should not be weakened IRNA 26 Jan 2013 -- Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said on Saturday that Syrian Army, the vanguard of campaign against Zionist regime should not be weakened.
• Larijani blames extremist groups for Syria problems IRNA 26 Jan 2013 -- Majlis Speaker Ali-Larijani said on Saturday that extremist groups in Syria should be blamed for current problems in that country.
• NATO Says Missiles Operational on Turkey-Syria Border VOA 26 Jan 2013 -- NATO says the first of six missile defense batteries sent to Turkey to intercept possible rockets fired from Syria is operational.
• UN to open new refugee camp in Jordan amid growing influx of displaced Syrians UN News Centre 25 Jan 2013 -- The United Nations today announced it is working with Jordan and partners to open a second major refugee camp by the end of the month as the number of displaced Syrians continues to rise, with a record 30,000 people arriving to the neighbouring nation this month alone.
• U.S. Patriots Set To Begin NATO Missile Defense in Turkey AFPS 25 Jan 2013 -- The first elements of U.S. Patriot missile batteries deployed to Turkey earlier this month are expected to reach initial operating capability this weekend, a senior NATO officer reported.
• Sanctions hit humanitarian aid to Syria IRIN 25 Jan 2013 -- Humanitarian and developmental aid agencies in Syria say international sanctions against the country have made their operations harder.
• At World Economic Forum, Ban urges unified action on crises in Syria and Mali UN News Centre 24 Jan 2013 -- Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos today, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a call of action to the international community to solve the crises in Syria and Mali, stressing that the world must come together to end the ongoing violence in the two countries and ensure assistance is available to those in need.
• Russians Evacuated From Syria Arrive Home RFE/RL 24 Jan 2013 -- Two planes carrying 77 Russians escaping Syria's civil war arrived in Moscow's Domodedovo airport on January 23, an operation that Moscow denied was the start of a mass exodus.
• Syria Opposition Groups Attack Religious Sites - HRW RIA Novosti 24 Jan 2013 -- Syrian opposition groups deliberately destroy minority religious sites in the areas under their control, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on its website on Wednesday.
• Ban and Arab League chief confirm support for their joint representative on Syria crisis UN News Centre 23 Jan 2013 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Nabil Elaraby, today expressed unreserved support for the efforts of their Joint Special Representative in helping to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria.
• Lavrov: Demands For Assad's Ouster Hinder Peace Efforts RFE/RL 23 Jan 2013 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is blaming Syria's opposition for hindering efforts to end that country's violent internal conflict.
• Syrian harvests devastated as conflict continues, UN agricultural agency says UN News Centre 23 Jan 2013 -- Twenty-two months of conflict has left Syria's farming sector in tatters with production dropping severely, requiring urgent assistance to rural areas, the United Nations agricultural agency said today.
• Russian Evacuees from Syria Return Home VOA 23 Jan 2013 -- At least 77 Russian citizens evacuated from war-torn Syria have returned to Russia. The Kremlin remains a staunch ally of the Syrian government and says it is not conducting a mass evacuation.
• US Senators Urge Stronger Response to Syria Crisis VOA 22 Jan 2013 -- A bipartisan group of U.S. senators wants the Obama administration to boost direct assistance to Syrian opponents of President Bashar al-Assad, help neighboring countries care for Syrian refugees, and increase pressure for regime change in Damascus.
• UN Head, Envoy Criticize 'Outside Powers' Over Syria Arms RFE/RL 22 Jan 2013 -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the international envoy for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, have criticized 'outside powers' for supplying arms to both the government and rebels in Syria.
• Despite trickle in funding flow, UN boosts Syria refugee assistance UN News Centre 22 Jan 2013 -- The United Nations refugee agency said today it is expanding humanitarian efforts to keep apace with the growing numbers of civilians fleeing the Syrian conflict and crossing into neighbouring countries, while warning that a lack of funding risked jeopardizing future assistance.
• Syria Activists: Car Bomb Toll at Least 42 VOA 22 Jan 2013 -- Syrian rights activists say the death toll from a suicide car bombing in the central province of Hama late Monday has risen to at least 42 people.
• Ban, Joint Special Representative meet on ending suffering in Syria UN News Centre 21 Jan 2013 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Joint Special Representative of the world organization and the League of Arab States for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, met in New York today for intensive discussions on ending the mounting toll and humanitarian anguish in Syria.
• Syrian Opposition Delays Forming Government VOA 21 Jan 2013 -- The Syrian opposition has postponed forming a transitional government.
• Two Planes to Evacuate Russians from Syria RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2013 -- The Russian Emergencies Ministry will send two planes to evacuate Russians from Syria.
• Syrians Ferry Needed Goods From Iraq VOA 21 Jan 2013 -- The ongoing conflict in Syria has led to chronic fuel and food shortages.
• Russia 'Flexes Muscles' in Mediterranean Amid Syrian Crisis RIA Novosti 20 Jan 2013 -- Russia has started the largest naval exercises in the past few decades in the Mediterranean and Black Seas as a civil war in Syria continues to gain momentum.
• International Pressure Growing to Refer Syria to ICC VOA 18 Jan 2013 -- U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay told the U.N. Security Council Friday that she believes war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed by both sides in the Syrian conflict, and she said the situation should be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague.
• Syria Violence May Worsen Post-Assad VOA 18 Jan 2013 -- Syria's civil war drags on, with diplomatic efforts making little headway and, according to the United Nations, more than 60,000 people killed. Experts don't see a quick solution, and believe that even if the rebels succeed in ousting President Bashar al-Assad, the violence could well continue, and even get worse.
• UN officials alarmed by effect of systematic violence on civilians in Syria UN News Centre 18 Jan 2013 -- Two senior United Nations officials stressed that the continued indiscriminate violence in Syria is worsening the human rights and humanitarian situations faced by civilians.
• Rocket Hits Syria's Northern City of Aleppo VOA 18 Jan 2013 -- Syrian state media say a rocket slammed into a building in the country's northern city of Aleppo on Friday, causing casualties.
• Activists Accuse Pro-Syrian Forces of Killing Scores in Homs VOA 17 Jan 2013 -- Syrian activists say forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have killed more than 100 people in an attack on the central city of Homs.
• Rights Group: 100 Executed In Syria's Homs RFE/RL 17 Jan 2013 -- More than 100 civilians reportedly were executed near the central Syrian city of Homs during a government military operation earlier this week.
• UN: One in Four Syrians Need Aid VOA 17 Jan 2013 -- The United Nations warned that nearly five million Syrians are in need of humanitarian assistance due to the fighting gripping the country.
• Coordinated Blasts Kill 24 in Syria VOA 16 Jan 2013 -- Syrian activists say three coordinated car bombs targeting security installations in northern Idlib province have killed at least 24 people, mostly government forces.
• Car Bombs Kill At Least 22 In Northern Syria RFE/RL 16 Jan 2013 -- Three car bombs reportedly have exploded in Syria's northern province of Idlib, killing at least 22 people.
• Attack on the University of Aleppo US Dept. of State 16 Jan 2013
• Syria: UN officials voice condemnation and shock over bombing of University of Aleppo UN News Centre 16 Jan 2013 -- Senior United Nations officials have spoken out over the deadly Tuesday bombing of Syria’s University of Aleppo which left more than 80 people dead, most of them students.
• Death Toll Rises in Syria University Bombing VOA 16 Jan 2013 -- Fighting continues in areas across Syria Wednesday. Meanwhile, a Syrian rights group says the death toll from two explosions at the University of Aleppo has risen to 87.
• Washington Dismisses Report on Chemical Attack in Syria RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2013 -- The White House downplayed speculations that chemical weapons had been used by President Bashar al-Assad’s regime against the Syrian rebels.
• UN agency plans to scale up food assistance inside Syria UN News Centre 16 Jan 2013 -- The United Nations World Food Programme plans to reach 2.5 million people inside Syria with food aid.
• Syria to Receive More International Food Aid VOA 16 Jan 2013 -- The World Food Program says the Syrian government has agreed to let the agency work with dozens of Syrian organizations to distribute food aid throughout the war-torn country.
• Report: At Least 52 Killed in Syria University Blast VOA 15 Jan 2013 -- A Syrian rights group says two explosions killed at least 52 people at the University of Aleppo, in Syria's largest city.
• Blast At Syria's Aleppo University Causes Casualties RFE/RL 15 Jan 2013 -- An explosion has hit the university in Syria's northern city of Aleppo, causing casualties.
• Russia Closes Aleppo Consulate RIA Novosti 15 Jan 2013 -- The Russian Consulate General in the northwestern Syrian city of Aleppo has suspended operations.
• At Least Eight Children Killed in Syria Airstrikes on Rebels RIA Novosti 15 Jan 2013 -- Children were reported among other casualties after Syrian fighter jets delivered airstrikea on rebel strongholds near Damascus.
• Russia Against Hague Trial for Syria RIA Novosti 15 Jan 2013 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry slammed the request by a few dozen countries that the Syria crisis be referred to the International Criminal Court.
• Syria: UN official urges protection of children following reports of surge in casualties UN News Centre 15 Jan 2013 -- A top United Nations official condemned the reportedly high number of casualties of children in and around the Syrian capital of Damascus.
• Over 50 Countries Ask Security Council To Refer Syria To World Court RFE/RL 14 Jan 2013 -- More than 50 countries have asked the United Nations Security Council to refer the Syria crisis to the International Criminal Court.
• Lavrov Calls On Syrian Opposition To Respond To Assad Proposals RFE/RL 14 Jan 2013 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has repeated Russian calls for opposition fighters and leaders in Syria to seek dialogue with Bashar al-Assad to end the bloodshed there.
• Number of Syrians seeking refuge in Turkey continues to rise, UN agency reports UN News Centre 14 Jan 2013 -- The total number of Syrians seeking refuge in camps in Turkey from the ever-worsening violence of their country’s civil war has risen to over 153,300 persons.
• Lavrov Rejects Assad's Exit as Precondition for Dialogue RIA Novosti 13 Jan 2013 -- Moscow believes that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's exit cannot be a precondition for a deal to resolve the country's crisis, Russia's foreign minister said on Sunday.
• Syrian Warplanes Bomb Damascus Suburbs VOA 13 Jan 2013 -- Syrian fighter jets bombed the Damascus suburbs Sunday, killing at least nine people, including a number of children, in a government offensive to dislodge rebels from strategic areas around the capital.
• Three-Party Syria Meeting Ends with No Solution RIA Novosti 12 Jan 2013 -- International Syria envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said after talks with Russian and US diplomats on Friday that a political solution to the Syrian conflict is unlikely to emerge in the near future.
• Syrian Rebels Claim Capture of Key Military Airbase RIA Novosti 12 Jan 2013 -- Syrian opposition fighters have taken control over a key military airbase in the north of the country delivering another serious blow to government forces, Al-Jazeera reported.
• UN boosts efforts to help over 600,000 displaced Syrians facing harsh winter conditions UN News Centre 11 Jan 2013 -- The United Nations refugee agency today said today it is implementing measures to help more than 600,000 displaced Syrians weather harsh winter conditions, while warning that the number of people fleeing the violence in the Middle Eastern country continues to grow.
• Brahimi discusses his Syria proposal with Salehi IRNA 11 Jan 2013 -- The UN-Arab League Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi has met and discussed his proposal for the resolution of Syria crisis with the Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, a diplomat said on Thursday.
• Larijani stresses establishment of peace in Syria IRNA 11 Jan 2013 -- Majlis (Parliament) Speaker Ali Larijani in a message released on Thursday, stressed establishment of peace and stability in Syria and praised Syrian government's role in the release of the kidnapped Iranian pilgrims.
• UN-Arab League envoy urges speedy resolution to end bloodshed in Syria UN News Centre 11 Jan 2013 -- The Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the Arab League on the Syrian crisis, Lakhdar Brahimi, today renewed his call for a "speedy end" to the bloodshed and destruction in the Middle Eastern country, where tens of thousands of people have died in almost two years of violence.
• Failure of Syria Talks Signal Conflict May Be Long Struggle VOA 11 Jan 2013 -- As senior U.S. and Russian negotiators - along with the United Nations peace envoy - again failed to find a breakthrough in Syria talks on Friday, analysts say a solution could be a long time coming.
• Lebanon Wants Help to Deal With Syrian Refugees VOA 11 Jan 2013 -- The Lebanese government plans to keep its border with Syria open to refugees, but it wants more aid from other Arab states and the international community. To that end, the Lebanese government has called for an urgent meeting of the Arab League in Egypt.
• Syria Talks End With No Breakthrough VOA 11 Jan 2013 -- International envoy Lakhdar Brahimi says talks with senior U.S. and Russian officials in Geneva ended Friday without a breakthrough about how to end the civil war in Syria.
• UN Envoy Doubts Assad Role In Syria Transition RFE/RL 10 Jan 2013 -- The international envoy on the Syrian crisis says he does not believe President Bashar al-Assad should have a role in a transitional government that could emerge as part of a resolution of the Syrian civil war.
• U.S. Army Europe forces deploy in support of NATO missile defense Army News 10 Jan 2013 -- Soldiers from U.S. Army Europe's 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command and 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, along with members of the 32nd AAMDC from Fort Bliss, Texas, are deploying to Turkey.
• Syria: amid severe weather, UN agency flags worsening situation for children in Jordanian refugee camps UN News Centre 10 Jan 2013 -- Severe weather conditions across northern Jordan – including heavy rain, snow and sub-zero temperatures – have greatly worsened the situation of children among some 55,000 Syrian refugees living at a camp there, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
• Mideast Winter Storm Deepens Misery of Syrians VOA 10 Jan 2013 -- A winter storm in the Middle East has brought heavy snowfall and flooding and caused at least eight deaths. The storm, called the worst in more than 20 years, disrupted life across the region and deepened the misery of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees.
• Iranians Freed in Syria Expected Home Thursday VOA 10 Jan 2013 -- A group of 48 Iranians held hostage by Syrian rebels are expected to fly back to Iran Thursday after being freed in a prisoner swap with President Bashar al-Assad's government.
• Syrian Rebels Free 48 Iranians For 2,130 Government-Held Prisoners RFE/RL 09 Jan 2013 -- Syrian rebels have freed 48 Iranians in exchange for 2,130 prisoners held by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
• Syrian Rebels Free Iranians in Prisoner Exchange VOA 09 Jan 2013 -- A group of 48 Iranians held hostage by Syrian rebels since early August has arrived at a Damascus hotel after being freed for more than 2,000 prisoners detained by President Bashar al-Assad's government.
• JORDAN: Tempers flare as heavy rain pounds camp IRIN 08 Jan 2013 -- Two days of unusually heavy rainfall in Jordan's northern desert have increased tensions in its largest camp for Syrian refugees and forced 300 of them to leave their tents for safer ground, say aid workers, a government official and camp residents.
• UN: 1 Million Syrians Need Emergency Food Aid VOA 08 Jan 2013 -- The United Nations said Tuesday that about one million Syrians are living without adequate food supplies and that serious fuel shortages and rising violence are disrupting aid distribution across the war-torn country.
• EU Says Syria's Assad Is Not Commited to Peace RIA Novosti 08 Jan 2013 -- EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton has expressed regret over President Bashar al-Assad's failure to undertake credible steps to find a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis.
• Amid ongoing violence, UN food relief agency warns of growing shortages in Syria UN News Centre 08 Jan 2013 -- The United Nations food relief agency today warned that humanitarian needs in Syria – especially for food – are growing, with serious bread and fuel shortages across the war-torn country.
• Iran supports Assad initiative for resolution of Syrian crisis: FM IRNA 07 Jan 2013 -- Iran supports Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's political initiative for the resolution of this country's crisis, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said in a statement released here on Sunday.
• Assad's initiative deserves regional, international support, FM official IRNA 07 Jan 2013 -- Foreign Ministry Deputy for Arab and Africa Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian stressed the need to support the Syrian president's initiative, stressing the plan put forward by President Bashar al-Assad deserves regional and international support.
• Iran supports peace plan put forward by Syrian president IRNA 07 Jan 2013 -- Iran on Monday backed the peace plan put forward by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to end violence and terrorism in Syria.
• Assad Speech Criticized For 'Empty Commitments' RFE/RL 07 Jan 2013 -- There is criticism in many capitals in response to a speech by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on January 6 in which he outlined a new peace initiative but called his opponents puppets.
• Washington Says Assad's Peace Plan 'Detached from Reality' RIA Novosti 07 Jan 2013 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's recently proposed peace plan is far from reality and proves again that he must resign from his post, Victoria Nuland, a spokesperson for the US Department of State, said.
• Iran 'Supports' Assad's Peace Plan RIA Novosti 07 Jan 2013 -- Iran has backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's new peace initiative, rejected by the Syrian opposition and the West, the Foreign Ministery said on Monday.
• UN Secretary General 'Disappointed' by Assad's Peace Plan RIA Novosti 07 Jan 2013 -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is disappointed by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's new peace initiative, rejected by the opposition and the West, his spokesman Martin Nesirky said on Monday.
• Syria: Ban disappointed that President's speech 'does not contribute' to ending suffering UN News Centre 07 Jan 2013 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was disappointed that a speech made by Syria's President Bashar al Assad on Sunday "does not contribute to a solution that could end the terrible suffering of the Syrian people," the UN chief's spokesperson said today.
• US: Assad's Plan 'Detached from Reality' VOA 07 Jan 2013 -- The United States said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's plan for a national reconciliation conference is 'detached from reality' and is an attempt to 'cling to power.'
• Israel to Build Syrian Border Fence VOA 06 Jan 2013 -- Israel intends to reinforce its frontier with neighboring Syria amid growing concerns about the fallout from the Syrian civil war.
• Assad Describes New Peace Initiative, Blasts 'Murderous' Opposition RFE/RL 06 Jan 2013 -- In a rare public appearance, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has outlined a new peace initiative but blasted his opponents as murderers and puppets.
• Syrian President Announces Peace Plan to Resolve Crisis RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2013 -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has proposed a plan to resolve the country's crisis which includes a national reconciliation conference, the formation of a new government and an amnesty.
• Syrian Opposition Rejects Assad's Peace Plan RIA Novosti 06 Jan 2013 -- The Syrian opposition on Sunday rejected President Bashar al-Assad's new peace initiative, including a national reconciliation conference and a new government.
• Assad Outlines His View of Syria Solution VOA 06 Jan 2013 -- Looking tired, but sounding confident, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told a crowd of supporters at the Damascus opera house Sunday that he is prepared to hold a dialogue with the opposition, if it observes a cease-fire first.
• Syrian Activists: At Least 9 Dead in Damascus Car Bombing VOA 03 Jan 2013 -- Opposition activists say a car bomb in the Syrian capital has killed at least 9 people, and say the death toll is expected to rise because many of the wounded are in critical condition.
• Deadly Car Bomb Hits Syria Gas Station - Media RIA Novosti 04 Jan 2013 -- A car bomb has left at least nine people dead at a gas station in the Syrian capital Damascus on Thursday, British media reported Friday citing activists.
• Rebels Continue Attacks on Syrian Military Airport VOA 03 Jan 2013 -- Opposition activists say Syrian rebels have launched another attack near the Taftanaz military airport, an apparent bid to weaken the government's air power.
• Data suggests Syria death toll could be more than 60,000, says UN human rights office UN News Centre 02 Jan 2013 -- Data analysis suggests that the death toll in the ongoing conflict in Syria has surpassed 60,000, the United Nations human rights office said today.
• Syria Air Strike Hits Gas Station, Dozens Killed VOA 02 Jan 2013 -- Opposition activists in Syria say government warplanes bombed a gasoline station near Damascus on Wednesday, reportedly killing dozens of people as they waited for fuel.
• Syria Begins New Year With More Violence VOA 01 Jan 2013 -- Syrian government troops and rebel forces fought Tuesday on the outskirts of Damascus and near the city of Aleppo.