<blockquote>“Hardly a day goes by when our senses are not bludgeoned by some new outbreak of terrorism in the Middle East.  Despite our best efforts at making and keeping the peace, political, economic, and religious tensions often lead to unrest, violence, and riots.”
<p style="text-align: right;">-Jim Bakker in “Prosperity and the Coming Apocalypse”</p>
</blockquote>

The head of the UN Oberservers in Syria is stating that neither side in the country’s civil war is willing to have a peaceful transition and that violence is increasing.

“Violence over the past 10 days has been intensifying,” Major General Robert Mood said at a Friday press conference. “[There is] a push toward advancing military positions.”

General Mood said the UN is focusing on the civilians in the country and trying to make sure their pain and suffering is addressed.

“In some locations, civilians have been trapped by ongoing operations,” Gen. Mood said. “But the escalating violence is now limiting our ability to observe, verify and report, as well as assist in local dialogue and stability projects.”

Russia, who had been steadfastly opposed to any military intervention by the UN, now says they would contribute to a force only if the intent was to end the bloodshed in the country. They are also insisting on the involvement of Iran which is opposed by western nations.

In the southern province of Deraa, photos are showing the bodies of 13 people killed by government forces. The bodies show unusual burn marks which activists claim are a result of the government using chemical weapons against their opposition.