Syrian government forces have killed over 100 in the latest massacre related to the civil war situation in the country. The attack in the central Homs province is still sketchy on information as the government has tried to quell reports of the mass killing.
The Observatory for Human Rights reports that sources have confirmed over 100 people killed but only 30 have been positively identified. Activists now say government forces have killed over 17,000 people since the start of the uprising against Syrian President Bashir Assad. Continue reading →
UN envoy Kofi Annan has developed a new plan for Syria which includes a national unity government aimed at bringing political change to the war-torn nation. Russia, a key opponent to military intervention in the nation’s civil war, is reportedly in favor of Annan’s proposal.
According to western diplomats who have seen the plan, a cabinet will be made of members of the opposition and the current government but no one would who undermine the credibility of the body. Continue reading →
After being targeted by gunfire, Maj. Gen. Robert Mood announced his decision to suspend all operations of the UN Observer Team in Syria.
There have been at least ten direct fire incidents on UN personnel and nine UN vehicles were struck in attacks over the last week. Continue reading →
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. Continue reading →
The head of UN peacekeeping has declared that Syria is now in a state of civil war.
“Clearly what is happening is that the government of Syria lost some large chunks of territory,” Herve Ladsous told reporters outside the UN in New York. Asked by a reporter if Syria was in a state of civil war, Ladsous said “Yes, I think we can say that.” Continue reading →
UN observers and at least one BBC reporter have found evidence of a massacre in the Syrian city of Qubair. Reports of the massacre leaked out from various rebel sources but government troops had been blocking access by the UN to the town.
On Thursday, reporters and UN officials came under fire when they attempted to enter the town. Continue reading →
UN monitors are being blocked from the site of an apparent government-led massacre of 78 people by Syrian army forces. Mission commander Robert Mood said the Syrian army is stopping UN staff at checkpoints and turning them back before reaching the city of Qubair. Activists report government troops bombarded Qubair, a village of less than 30 houses, located 12 miles northwest of Hama. Continue reading →
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman stated their unity with Russia in opposing any outside intervention in the looming civil war in Syria. The spokesman urged support for the peace plan offered by the UN that has proven unable to stop the violence as government troops have continued to massacre citizens.
China currently holds the presidency of the UN Security Council’s rotating presidency and has long resisted pressure to remove Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over actions taken by his government. Continue reading →
The High Commissioner for Human Rights at the United Nations has stated that the massacre of over 100 civilians in Houla, Syria by government affiliated forces could amount to a crime against humanity.
The international community needs to “make all efforts to end impunity and ensure the accountability of perpetrators,” Navi Pillay stated. Continue reading →
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is accusing Russia of contributing to the start of a civil war in Syria. Clinton’s comments come in response to Russia and China taking actions to stop the UN from intervention in the Syrian crisis after the mass murder of women and children by government troops.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has repeated his warnings that a catastrophic civil war is looming in Syria. Continue reading →