Yahoo: Assad predicts disaster if West meddles in Syria

[visionary]

http://blogs.aljazeera.com/topic/syr...pposition-bloc

Six Gulf states recognise new Syrian opposition bloc

The Gulf Co-operation Council said on Monday its six member states have decided to recognise the newly formed National Coalition of the Syrian opposition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.

"The states of the council announce recognising the National Coalition for the Forces of the Syrian Revolution and Opposition... as the legitimate representative of the brotherly Syrian people," GCC chief Abdullatif al-Zayani said in a statement.

The GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait.

http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticl...aspx?ID=455767

Missing in action

They came to Lebanon to gather information, not divulge it.

The mother and father of Austin Tice, the 31-year-old former US Marine and freelance journalist who went missing while in Syria in August, held a press conference in Beirut on Monday to appeal “to anyone and everyone who can put us into contact with our son,” as Debra Tice put it before a crowd of assembled reporters.

Debra Tice and her husband Mark, pressed repeatedly for details, spoke in generalities when discussing whom they’ve been talking to thus far to secure Austin’s release. In October, following the YouTube release of a video showing Tice, a US State Department spokeswoman said, “To the best of our knowledge, we think he is in Syrian government custody.”

Asked about why the State Department believed this and whether or not the family shared that opinion, Debra Tice told NOW, “We are separate from State, and we have been very careful to avoid speculation. We do not know who is holding him, and so our mission here is to reach out to whoever it is, without trying to guess who that might be.”

His parents have set up a website to help in their search for their son and are encouraging anyone with information to contact them via information@austinticefamily.com.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8AB06W20121112

Syrian jets, helicopters hit rebel town near Turkey

A Syrian warplane bombed the rebel-held town of Ras al-Ain on Monday, just meters (yards) from the Turkish frontier, sending scores of civilians fleeing for safety into Turkey.

Helicopters also strafed targets near the town, which fell to rebels on Thursday during an advance into Syria's mixed Arab and Kurdish northeast. There was no word on casualties.

The jet struck within meters (yards) of the border fence that divides Ras al-Ain from the Turkish settlement of Ceylanpinar, sending up plumes of black smoke.

A Reuters reporter in Ceylanpinar said the plane flew right along the border and appeared at one point to have entered Turkish airspace.

It was not clear what the bomb struck, but scores of civilians fled the area, scrambling over the fence into Turkey.

https://twitter.com/Turk4Syria

Despite earlier threats by Turkey, Syrian war planes & helicopters can easily reach & attack border towns on he Syrian side.
4:46 AM

Here a picture of Ras Al Ain/Sere Kaniye after it was bombed today. Taken from the Turkish side of the border: http://instagr.am/p/R7BGSVuT2f/
4:47 AM

In Ceylanpinar, opposite of Ras Al Ain/Sere Kaniye, 1 person was wounded and windows were shattered by the helicopter shelling in Syria.
4:56 AM

According to people at the border, Assad's helicopters entered Turkey's territory before & after shelling buildings in the Syrian town.
4:57 AM

In the first aerial bombardment of Ras Al Ain/Sere Kaniye alone, 16 people were killed & 31 were wounded.
8:58 AM

https://twitter.com/MahirZeynalov

Turkey issues a diplomatic note to Syria over its bombardment of Turkish border towns.
10:56 AM

Several Turkish warplanes were sent to the Syrian border and ordered to shoot once Syrian jets violate the Turkish airspace, sources say.
10:58 AM

Turkey's military engagement rule vis-a-vis Syria RT @aaronstein1 Those appear to be the ill-defined new rules of engagement
11:00 AM

Turkish FM Davutoglu says Turkey reported border town bombardments to UN Security Council and NATO.
11:01 AM

Turkish FM Davutoglu says Syrian jets didn't violate Turkish air space and Turkish jets are capable of shooting them down if they do.
11:03 AM

https://twitter.com/arwaCNN

Parents of Austin Tice, journo missing in syria in lebanon issue plea to whomever is holding their son or has any info 2 come forward
11:14 AM

https://twitter.com/AP

AP VIDEO: Israeli military says it scored 'direct hits' on targets in Syria after responding to stray mortar fire: http://apne.ws/ZvmWGb -RAS
11:17 AM

https://twitter.com/rozalinachomsky

30 troops have defected in damascus city
11:00 AM

resistance fighters have liberated another military base in beit nayim in al-ghutah al-sharqiyah. many assad troops were killed
11:21 AM

resistance fighters attacked a military convoy on al-raqqah - dibsi afnan road. 5 military vehicles were destroyed
11:33 AM

palestinian & syrian resistance fighters have liberated most of al-yarmouk camp in damascus city http://youtu.be/OP7By5y1nGA
11:54 AM

[visionary]

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middle...=MasterAccount

Arab League backs Syrian opposition bloc

The Arab League has recognised the newly formed Syrian opposition bloc as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.

Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo, Egypt, issued a statement late on Monday describing the new National Coalition of the Syrian Powers of Revolution and Opposition as "the legitimate representative and main interlocutor with the Arab League".

They called on "the rest of the opposition to join this national coalition so that it brings together all segments of the Syrian people".

The Cairo talks came a day after opposition groups announced in Qatar the formation of a broad-based coalition against the government of Bashar al-Assad, Syria's president.

They pledged to set up a transitional government after the new bloc gained international recognition.

The coalition has already drawn backing from Gulf Arab states and other regional and international powers.

https://twitter.com/HamaEcho

RIP 12 year old Nadia Suweiss, killed by a checkpoint of Assad militias in Talbisah, Homs
5:39 PM

That was a rebel-held (after come from Rastan and taking a base nearby there quite a few months back) town outside of Homs last I checked, although it's been under siege for at least week or so now, so maybe the regime has made some inroads of late....

https://twitter.com/rozalinachomsky

6 assad troops defected from dibsi afnan (al-raqqah)
4:37 PM

update: resistance fighters destroyed 3 military tanks in dibsi afnan (al-raqqah). some high-ranking military officers were killed
4:40 PM

assad's troops & a copter are bombing the town of darayya (damascus countryside)
5:18 PM

activists in al-raqqah city say +100 assad troops were killed & injured in the last clashes in the province
5:53 PM

https://twitter.com/rozalinachomsky

resistance fighters killed all the pilots & workers in al-dumair airport
6:32 PM

update: resistance fighters killed a brigadier general & 3 colonels in al-dumair airport
6:34 PM

i still don't know what happened to the warplanes in al-dumair airport. i wish resistance fighters get one & bomb al-mazzeh airport
6:39 PM

osoud al-tawhid & houran brigades declare responsibility for the attack on al-dumair airport
6:41 PM

https://twitter.com/SyrianSmurf

The body of an Imam from Idlib was delivered to his family after he had been tortured for about 5 months.
7:50 PM

https://twitter.com/NMSyria

Massive military operations taking place in Mazzeh - Damascus. Reports that mortars have been set up at al-Jalaa Sports Complex on highway.
9:43 PM

Assad Republican Guard forces have been deployed behind the Children's Hospital in Mazzeh on the road leading to the Palace. Damascus
9:43 PM

Helicopter and artillery shelling on Daraya in Damascus - black smoke is rising above the neighborhood.
9:52 PM

http://www.lccsyria.org/10493

Local Coordination Committees in Syria

By the end of Monday the LCC managed to document 155 martyrs including 5 children and 3 women, 50 martyrs were reported in Damascus and it’s suburbs; 38 in Aleppo; 35 in Hasakeh; 9 in Deir Ezzor; 7 in Raqqa; 6 in Homs; 5 in Idlib; 4 in Daraa; and 1 in Banyas

http://www.extremeskins.com/showthre...=1#post9046975
38,444 people killed so far in Syria

[visionary]

http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetai...?newsId=298006

Turkey says NATO Patriot missiles could counter Syria's chemical weapons

Turkish President Abdullah Gül has warned against Syria's chemical weapons that could be used against Turkey and suggested that NATO's Patriot missiles could counter the threat.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Gül said it is not secret that Syria has chemical weapons and that Damascus has old Soviet delivery systems. “So if there is in some eventuality some sort of madness in this respect and some action is taken, contingency planning has to be put in place and this is something NATO is doing,” he said.

Gül's remarks came on a day when NATO chief said the alliance will defend its only Muslim member Turkey and has all plans to do so.

http://www.thenational.ae/news/world...-control#page1

Syria's new opposition 'must bring armed groups under control'

Moaz Al Khatib, the leader of a newly formed umbrella group representing the Syrian opposition, is under pressure to show that the dissident body has the credibility to speak for a majority of Syrians and to bring armed groups under some form of political control, analysts said yesterday.

If Mr Al Khatib succeeds, the opposition will find it easier to attract funds and get access to arms by foreign supporters, they said. But some expressed doubts whether the new Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces, chaired by Mr Al Khatib, will have the clout to rein in local militias fighting in Syria.

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_289563/con...tguid=6Qxnltcb

Despite rebel deal, Syria can keep up the fight

Nearly 20 months into the Syrian uprising, President Bashar Assad's message to the world has been nothing if not consistent: His military is strong, his enemies are mere terrorists and he will prevail in the end.

And despite a unity deal signed by Syrian rebels this weekend, which they hope will persuade foreign backers to send more powerful weapons to use to battle the regime, Damascus still has enough firepower and resources to keep up the fight.

"Syria has more than enough weapons for fighting the rebels," said Igor Korotchenko, a retired colonel of Russia's military general staff who is now editor of National Defense magazine. "As long as Bashar Assad has the money to pay his military, it will keep fighting."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...,4742752.story

Obama reassessing sensitive foreign issues now that election is over

The administration already is taking a new direction on the worsening Syrian conflict, which threatens to spread turmoil as well as refugees across the Middle East. After months of trying to limit the U.S. role, administration officials said they have begun trying to help reshape the civilian-led rebel movement so it can better defend itself against heavily armed military forces loyal to President Bashar Assad.

The opposition formed a new umbrella group over the weekend that was officially recognized Monday by six Persian Gulf states as the "legitimate representative" of the rebels.

Since the conflict began early last year, the Obama administration has resisted pressure to deepen collaboration with the opposition, and has refused to supply heavy weapons to its fighters. Advocates of that approach, including some top U.S. officials, argue that unless Washington and its allies strengthen and better organize the insurgents, the administration could see Syria taken over by dangerous militants, or a victory by Assad that would strengthen his Iranian allies.

Before the election, deeper U.S. involvement in Syria "was counter to the administration narrative that it would avoid too much action in the Middle East," said David Schenker, director of the program on Arab politics at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a think tank. But now U.S. policymakers worry that the war "could turn out very badly if we don't change the nature of our role."

Many senior U.S. officials are determined to steer clear of even low-level military involvement or support for the rebels, partly because of the risk that extremists would obtain U.S. weapons. But officials acknowledge the policy is getting another look.

https://twitter.com/N1njaPrince

We got ready to leave the apartment.. then 3 other shells fell down on a nearby street .. Yarmouk_Camp Damascus
2:11 AM

We left the apartment, debris was filling the narrow streets, people were shouting, kids were crying, and lots of people were leaving
2:14 AM

7 innocent people died and tens were injured yesterday.. Yarmouk_camp
2:18 AM

I blame the Syrian regime for most of whats happening in Yarmouk, But that dsn't mean that i shut up for FSA's indifference 2ward ppls lives
2:46 AM

https://twitter.com/hhassan140

Human Rights Watch is now offering policy recommendations. Make stopping human rights abuses a condition for recognitising Syria's NC.
2:52 AM

Misguided to say the least. Human rights abuse must stop but such policy makes it worse. Legitimacy & results better to make that happen.
2:56 AM

https://twitter.com/MahirZeynalov

68 wounded Syrians were brought to Turkey yesterday from Ras al-Ayn after Syrian air strikes. 10 of them died.
12:36 AM

Syrian warplanes continue bombing Ras al-Ayn on the Turkish border for a second day despite Turkey's what it said "clear" diplomatic note.
3:05 AM

https://twitter.com/NMSyria

Qamishli: The Airport manager has defected.
3:10 AM

Raqqa: Ms.Horeya Al-Musalat was martyred by an explosion near Al-Shuhada Plaza while she was taking her child to school. [LCC]
3:11 AM

Idlib: The FSA has stopped a regime military convoy from advancing to Ma'asarat Mhambal. [LCC]
3:13 AM

[visionary]

http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/p...nst-the-regime

Syria's Internal War Turns Against the Regime

After almost twenty months, Syria's internal war appears to be approaching a decisive stage. Since early October, rebel forces have been on the offensive in key theaters, while regime forces are stretched thin, increasingly on the defensive, and giving ground.

The conflict is evolving from a war of attrition (with the two sides primarily exchanging casualties) to a war of positions, with rebel forces seizing checkpoints, reducing the regime presence in the provinces, interdicting roads, and pressuring key regime strongholds and facilities.

Barring a major change in Bashar al-Assad's approach or massive intervention by Hizballah and Iran, the regime's military situation will likely continue to deteriorate, perhaps dramatically, in the weeks ahead.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-1...and-blood.html

Among the Syrian Rebels, Heartbreak and Blood

Saturday night on the border between Jordan and Syria: Colonel Nawaf Tahrawi, a commander of the Royal Jordanian Border Guard, climbed to the top of a three- story concrete watchtower, built next to a scrub-filled streambed.

In the cold dark of a cramped room, Tahrawi asked a soldier operating a sophisticated thermal camera system if he had seen any movement in his sector. Just packs of dogs, he said, but he added that activity would no doubt pick up soon.

The cameras fixed atop the watchtower were aimed into Syria. Their operator, a 23-year-old corporal, was looking for Republican Guardsmen loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and for the Free Syrian Army rebels fighting Assad’s forces. Tahrawi said the two sides have been shooting at each other just across the border, their fire sometimes straying into Jordanian territory. “The shooting is all over the place,” he said.

The cameras were also scouring the dark for refugees. The previous night, the colonel said, more than 1,000 of them had scrambled across the Jordanian border, 500 or so over the hard ground in front of us. He expected a similar number tonight: “They’re coming faster and faster now.”

One of the rebels took me by the hand. We walked into the darkness. “I am not al-Qaeda” he said, though I hadn’t asked. “When we kill Bashar, I will shave off my beard. I’m a law student, but I have no choice. Bashar killed my brother.”

In the dark, it was nearly impossible to see. It got quiet again. Then we heard them. First came the sound of children crying. Then the sounds of people shuffling and stumbling. They passed before us. Women in black hijabs, their faces covered by scarves, carrying their children, bundled against the cold. Some of the children were still asleep. It seemed like a procession without end. Old men came out of the dark, staggering and breathless. Most of the refugees were panting and wide-eyed. When they understood they had nearly crossed over into Jordan, many broke into a run.

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/1...osition-group/

U.S. looks to accelerate aid to new Syrian opposition group

"What happened over the weekend was huge," a senior administration official told CNN. "I think it's fair to say that most of us were pessimistic, but the opposition did it. They have a long way to go, but this was a major step forward."

Nevertheless, the official admitted: "We are cautiously optimistic at best."

The United States has been pressing the opposition to unite and officials now say the Obama administration is urging the new National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces to quickly form a technical working group with which it can coordinate assistance.

The State Department is sending a high-level delegation to an emergency aid meeting in London on November 16. Ambassador William Taylor, who was present in Doha, Qatar, where the new coalition was created, will lead the U.S. officials at that meeting.

The United States, the official said, will seek to "accelerate and increase assistance to the Syrian people."

"In the short term, we will continue the non-lethal aid," the official explained. "However, you will see us now looking to coordinate and pony up cash assistance to assist a new government in transition efforts."

The United States, however, is not opening the spigots immediately on further aid to the new opposition coalition, insisting that it must respect human rights and guarantee equal treatment for all Syrian citizens.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...88J0X720121113

New Syrian opposition chief seeks recognition, arms

The leader of Syria's new opposition coalition urged European states on Tuesday to recognize it as the legitimate government, enabling it to buy the weapons it needs to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad.

Britain and France appeared to set further conditions, notably that it first rally support inside the country, before they grant full recognition to the Syrian National Coalition. And, like the United States, Europeans are still reluctant to arm rebel forces which include anti-Western Islamist militants.

Western caution, and an Arab League endorsement that stopped short of full recognition, indicate that the coalition forged with such difficulty in Qatar two days ago may yet find it hard to win wholehearted support, even from its allies.

"I request European states to grant political recognition to the coalition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people and to give it financial support," he said.

"When we get political recognition, this will allow the coalition to act as a government and hence acquire weapons and this will solve our problems," Alkhatib added.

France's defense minister and Britain's foreign minister both said that forming the new group under Alkhatib, a moderate noted for his embrace of Syria's religious and ethnic minorities, was an important milestone but not sufficient for full recognition as a government-in-waiting.

I hope we in 'the West' aren't just making excuses not to support them.
We can't afford to appear as decietful on this issue or to turn the coalition into a joke.
We made them go through tons of hoops.
Now we have to show some concrete support.
If they don't get international support, it will be hard for them to get people to follow them very far in Syria.

This from Britain is somewhat encouraging, but the overall response from the EU and the US after all the effort that was put into the coalition over the weekend has been disapointing so far.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/midd...ive?CMP=twt_gu

Hague confirms UK switching approach on Syria

William Hague has confirmed that Britain is switching its focus to supporting the Syrian opposition rather than trying to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

Speaking at the Arab League meeting in Cairo Hague snubbed a call by international envoy Lakhdar Brahimi for the UN security council to try to reach agreement on Syria. He said:

We are very grateful for, and support, all the work that Mr Brahimi is doing. He suggests that we try again at the UN Security Council. We are prepared to try again, but our efforts to embody the Geneva consensus and to encourage the UNSC to take on its responsibilities have been vetoed by Russia and China. There is no indication that the outcome now would be different. In the absence of such progress, we will increase our support to Syrian opposition groups.

Hague also welcomed the new Syrian opposition coalition and pledged more support for the opposition if it can show that it is tackling sectarianism and preparing for government.

That coalition gives the opportunity for a united, inclusive and credible political alternative to the Assad regime. We urge them to set out a detailed platform for a political transition to a democratic Syria, and to demonstrate that they are acting on behalf of all Syria's communities. The more progress the coalition makes towards those goals, the greater practical support it will have from the United Kingdom.

https://twitter.com/DamascusTribune

22 martyrs &10s of wounded in a massacre by Assad forces as a result of warplanes shelling in Outaya village of Damascus suburb, LCC
9:28 AM

https://twitter.com/HJummo

Kurdish citizen journalist Kaniwar Ali has been killed by loyal forces in shelling on Ras Al-ain pic.twitter.com/OHSYlkYR
9:51 AM

https://twitter.com/BSyria

Western powers now adding new list of conditions before they can support the opposition.
8:48 AM

The proper way to make the opposition more cohesive and inclusive is by giving it proper support so that it gains credibility.
8:50 AM

The political opposition will only have sway over the FSA if it can provide it with weapons. Hard to see that happening otherwise.
8:51 AM

Western powers are demanding the NC demonstrate support on the ground (in Syria). How do they propose it does that? Elections?
8:53 AM

They are, but at enormous cost RT @abuaardvark Jeff White thinks the Syrian rebels are winning http://bit.ly/SJKna0
10:14 AM

https://twitter.com/SyrianSmurf

Shelling on Maarat Alnaasan in Idlib leaves "10s of martyrs".
10:52 AM

https://twitter.com/rozalinachomsky

jabhat al-nusrah says it blew up the rural development building in hama countryside & killed +200 assad troops & thugs
4:16 AM

jabhat al-nusrah blew up the rural development (military) compound in hama countryside: http://im17.gulfup.com/Uix22.jpg
10:50 AM

another photo from jabhat al-nusrah (hama countryside): see what happened to assad's military compound http://im17.gulfup.com/MkbL5.jpg
10:54 AM

this is the military compound that jabhat al-nusrah blew up in hama countryside: http://im17.gulfup.com/LkHj4.jpg
10:56 AM

Numbers seem exaggerated, but as much as everyone including myself hates Nusra, it's hard not to be impressed by their ability to cut through the bull**** and get things done.
It's not surprising that there is such a strong love/hate relationship with them in many places in Syria.

[visionary]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8AC0R820121113

Iran plans "Syrian national dialogue" meeting

Iran, the closest ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, will host a Syrian national dialogue meeting next week, the official IRNA news agency reported on Tuesday.

"The slogan of this one-day meeting will be 'no to violence, yes to democracy'," IRNA quoted Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian as saying.

"Aside from representatives from different ethnic groups, political parties, minorities and the opposition, there will also be representatives from the government at the meeting," Abdollahian added, without giving further details.

They're probably all representatives from the government.


http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8AC08L20121113

Residents flee air strikes on Syria border town

A Syrian warplane struck homes in the town of Ras al-Ain on Tuesday within sight of the Turkish border, pursuing an aerial bombardment to force out rebels and drawing a new warning from Ankara.

The second day of jet strikes sent Syrians scurrying through the flimsy barbed-wire fence that divides Ras al-Ain from the Turkish settlement of Ceylanpinar as thick plumes of smoke rose above the town.

Medical workers and refugees in Ceylanpinar said bombing on Monday and Tuesday struck residential areas of Ras al-Ain, which fell to rebels last week during an advance into Syria's mixed Arab and Kurdish northeast.

The offensive has caused some of the biggest refugee movements since the armed revolt against President Bashar al-Assad began in March last year, and brought the war back perilously close to Turkish soil.

Turkey is reluctant to be drawn into a regional conflict but the proximity of the bombing raids to the border is testing its pledge to defend itself from any violation of its territory or any spillover of violence from Syria.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/midd...79e6c6dbb9ade9

FSA confirms contact with British officials

The Free Syrian Army revealed it has held talks with officials from Britain and its allies, and is hopeful that a no-fly zone will be imposed on Syria’s border.

Fahad al-Masrai, spokesman for the FSA's joint command in Syria said: "There are meetings going on now between the military leaders of the Syrian revolution and Britain as well as US, France, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. For security reasons we can’t say where."

Speaking to Mona Mahmood, Masrai said:

The coming days and weeks will be full of surprises that will lead to the toppling of the regime and the imposition of the no-fly zone. I am certain that a no-fly zone will be first imposed along the Syrian border to depths of between 10km and 20km.

Masrai added:

We hope the next coming days will bring a political and a military breakthrough in Syria.

From the coming week, a big military campaign will be launched in Damascus.

Bashar will not leave Syria alive. He will be killed but not by the rebel. He is more likely to be assassinated by his close circle. They are beginning to realise the risk of being involved with his crimes, and will get rid of him.

We have many contacts with senior officers who are close to Bashar and are demanding guarantees if they turn against the regime. The subject is being considered by the FSA's leadership.

New defections will be declared soon by senior Alawite officers.

Updated at 4.29pm GMT

http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/...amas.html#1603

1603 GMT: Syria. A major air-defense base east of Damascus fell to the FSA on November 8th, but we missed an interesting detail - one of the FSA brigades involved in the heaviest fighting was apparently Christian:

More interestingly, this group operated alongside the Mustafa Brigade. Mustafa, which we believe to operate under the FSA banner, have used car bombs in attacks on regime elements. The Ansar al Sunni brigade was also involved in the attack, and we're not 100% certain, but we believe they have been largely independent of the FSA up to this point. We're not sure about the affiliation of the Abdullah bin Salam brigade.

The units operating in joint missions, particularly in Damascus and Idlib, appear to be more diverse, and more organized, than ever.

https://twitter.com/Libyan4life

I fill with shame and hopelessness in that I am not able to help. How can the world just stand by as a humanitarian crisis ensues?
11:28 AM

https://twitter.com/callysally

81% of Palestinians say Assad's resignation wld be best 4 Syria - Survey by Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies http://english.dohainstitute.org/rel...2-27208e77019c
11:37 AM

https://twitter.com/jfoleyjourno

Attn Donors- ambulance w $ U raised now being used at dar al shifaa hospital in Aleppo. Pls see vid. RT if you donated! http://youtu.be/i6x8VOvZ3MI
11:44 AM

https://twitter.com/rozalinachomsky

resistance fighters liberated an area near sa`d mosque in aleppo city http://youtu.be/kjo1Cu5fxNw
11:31 AM

explosions & heavy clashes are going on now in al-tabqa airport (al-raqqah)
11:53 AM

resistance fighters destroyed sabna military checkpoint (rankous farms) & 3 tanks. many assad troops were killed
12:12 PM

resistance fighters destroyed 7 tanks & a bmp vehicle today in darayya. do you know now why assad's troops are mad at the town?
12:57 PM

https://twitter.com/HamaEcho

Man filming is killed while recording air strikes on Kafrbatna: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ueeb9Xgb0s … The lengths these heroes travel to deliver truth
12:52 PM

Doesn't show him die...just the explosion and then it cuts off.
Still shocking though, even if it isn't close to the first video of something like this that I've seen.

[visionary]

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middle...=MasterAccount

Arabs and EU vow support for Syria opposition

Arab League and European Union foreign ministers have pledged to support the Syrian opposition and welcomed recent steps to unite the various groups under a new, united banner, in order to facilitate a solution to the 20-month conflict.

"The ministers welcomed the formation of the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces. They called on all opposition groups to adhere to the national coalition and on the national coalition to engage with all sections of Syrian society," said a statement issued at the close of the meeting held in Cairo on Tuesday.

Syria's divided opposition had come under pressure from Western powers to join forces and offer a single interlocutor during negotiations, in order to provide a single contact for international critics of the regime's efforts to stamp down the opposition since 2011.

The coalition brings together the Syrian National Council and other groups inside Syria.

The Arab League has recognised the coalition as "the legitimate representative of the Syrian people's aspirations."

Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi described it as "a glimmer of hope."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8KO01V20121113

France recognises new Syrian opposition coalition

France said on Tuesday it recognises Syria's newly formed opposition coalition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people, becoming the first European nation to do so.

Syrian opposition groups struck a deal in Doha on Sunday to form a broad coalition to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad after 20 months of an uprising against his rule.

"I announce today that France recognises the Syrian National Council as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people and as future government of a democratic Syria allowing to bring an end to Bashar al-Assad's regime," Hollande told a news conference in Paris.

https://twitter.com/HalaGorani

Reuters: France becomes the first European nation to recognize new Syria oppositon group as sole representative of Syrian people.
1:11 PM

https://twitter.com/Reuters

France’s Hollande says once Syrian National Council forms a government, issue of arms supply will be looked at.
1:13 PM

https://twitter.com/rozalinachomsky

resistance fighters liberated the military recruitment compound in abukamal city http://youtu.be/7r-u1lpHhrs
1:08 PM

[visionary]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-midd...87#TWEET359299

Syria: France backs anti-Assad coalition

France has become the first Western power to recognise Syria's opposition coalition as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people.

The move was announced by President Francois Hollande at a televised news conference in Paris.

The US and Britain have both signalled support for the coalition.
But they stopped short of recognising it as a government-in-exile.

In Washington, state department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said the US regarded the National Coalition as "a legitimate representative" of the Syrian people.

The head of the coalition, Mouaz Alkhatib, has called for diplomatic support
"We now have a structure in place that can prepare for a political transition," he told reporters.

"But... we're looking for it to still establish the types of technical committees that will allow us to make sure our assistance gets to the right places."

Earlier, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague described the coalition's formation as a milestone, but said it still had to prove itself.

"We want to see that they have support inside Syria," he said. "That is a very crucial consideration.

"If they do all these things, yes, we will be able to recognise them as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people."

https://twitter.com/rozalinachomsky

a real war is going on now in al-ghutah al-sharqiyah. resistance fighters are attacking a big regiment. +45 assad troops were killed. resistance fighters arrested +20 assad troops in al-ghutah al-sharqiyah
3:13 PM

resistance fighters are using a tank & bmp vehicles in al-ghutah al-sharqiyah. they are in a real war now. keep them in your thoughts
3:15 PM

director of al-qamishli region, abdul basit abdul latif, has defected to turkey
3:26 PM

resistance fighters (damascus countryside) say they seized 2 tanks, 3 armored vehicles & ammunition (video in the morning)
5:46 PM

the governor of al-raqqah hasan saleh jalali has died
6:24 PM

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...allen/1703097/

Local Coordination Committees in Syria

By the end of Tuesday the LCC managed to document 172 martyrs (including 10 children and 12 women), 109 martyrs were reported in Damascus and its Suburbs (22 of them were martyred in Otaya Massacre), 20 martyrs in Idlib, 19 martyrs in Aleppo, 8 martyrs in Daraa, 6 martyrs in Homs, 5 martyrs in Deir Ezzor, 4 martyrs in Hama and 1 martyr in Raqqa
6:55 PM

http://www.extremeskins.com/showthre...=1#post9046975
38,616 people killed so far in Syria

[visionary]

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/11/200495.htm

U.S. Announces Additional Humanitarian Assistance for the Syrian Crisis

Today Secretary Clinton announced that the United States is providing $30 million in additional humanitarian assistance to help those affected by the conflict in Syria.

With this new assistance, the United States is providing nearly $200 million in humanitarian aid to help those suffering as a result of the Assad regime’s violence inside Syria and in neighboring countries.

In Syria, this funding will allow for the immediate procurement of food in local and regional markets to provide family food baskets to those in need, which contain vital necessities such as rice, beans, and cooking oil. In neighboring countries, this additional assistance from the United States will provide food supplies, hot meals, and food vouchers for families who have fled the violence in Syria.

This additional assistance will be provided through the World Food Program (WFP), which is providing food aid to 1.5 million people in Syria and the refugees who have fled to neighboring countries. The United States is the largest donor of food aid for those affected by the conflict in Syria through WFP.

The United States is providing food aid, medical supplies, emergency and basic health care, shelter materials, clean water, hygiene education and supplies, and other relief supplies - including blankets and heaters - to help more than one million people inside Syria and the nearly 400,000 refugees in neighboring countries.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...88J0X720121114

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the formation of the coalition, which supersedes the widely discredited Syrian National Council as the face of the Syrian opposition, was an important step, but did not offer it full recognition or arms.

"We have long called for this kind of organization. We want to see that momentum maintained," Clinton told reporters in the Australian city of Perth. "As the Syrian opposition takes these steps and demonstrates its effectiveness in advancing the cause of a unified, democratic, pluralistic Syria, we will be prepared to work with them to deliver assistance to the Syrian people."

Suhair al-Atassi, a vice president of the new coalition, said that once it had proved it represents "revolutionary forces" on the ground, there would be no excuse for Western powers not to provide some form of military backing.

"The ball now is in the international community's court," she told Reuters in an interview in Dubai, blaming Western reticence to arm the rebels for the rise of extremism in Syria.

"There is no more excuse to say we are waiting to see how efficient this new body is. They used to put the opposition to the test. Now we put them to the test," she declared.

A Syrian warplane bombed the town of Ras al-Ain near the Turkish border again on Wednesday, rocking buildings on the frontier and sending up huge plumes of smoke, in the latest of several attacks since rebels captured the town last week.

Third day in a row and Turkey hasn't done anything to stop the airstrikes.


http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/14/world/...war/index.html

Syrian warplanes pound targets near Turkey

Government jets pounded Ras al-Ain on Wednesday, a town near Turkey's border, for yet another day, shaking residents on the other side and triggering demands from Ankara that the Syrian military "stop this as soon as possible."

https://twitter.com/SyrianSmurf

Salqeen Idlib is holding elections for their Local Coordination Committee. This is after there were complaints about the old committee.
8:50 AM

https://twitter.com/AP

BREAKING: Israeli defense minister: 'Almost all' Syrian border villages near Israel controlled by rebels
9:07 AM

https://twitter.com/HamaEcho

3 Brigadier Generals & a colonel along with other soldiers arrested from their battalion in Damascus outskirts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJhSxHRjOGE
9:40 AM

https://twitter.com/DamascusTribune

One was martyred & three injured following an airstrike onto Douma city of Damascus Suburbs, LCC
10:01 AM

PIC:Military ID of the Captain pilot who died after FSA shot down his plane. [yesterday or day before] He's Captain Nidal Mansour Mansour pic.twitter.com/etgeg7A6
10:26 AM

[visionary]

Not much Syria news today, everyone is focused on the Israeli airstrikes on Gaza....


https://twitter.com/HamaEcho

Group defection of 50 soldiers from the Presidential Guard, 3rd division, border guard & other units in Qalamoun http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNacWahbMMM
1:27 PM

Possibility of a small NFZ over north Syria using AA systems on the Turkish border being discussed with some high-rank Free Army commanders.
3:10 PM

There is also urgency to finish this before winter and snow arrive, so military campaigns and "surprises" planned for next week.
3:13 PM

offline for few weeks now.
3:22 PM

https://twitter.com/rozalinachomsky

resistance fighters have liberated the asfar najar area in al-hasakah. many assad troops were arrested
8:03 AM

resistance fighters have liberated al-sha`baniyah school in al-qal`ah neighborhood in aleppo city
11:42 AM

resistance fighters have liberated the popular army's compound in abukamal city
1:11 PM

resistance fighters destroyed a military tank in al-sayyidah zaynab http://youtu.be/ocAGlhD0FfE
2:06 PM

resistance fighters blew up 2 military tanks near al-tadamon neighborhood in damascus city
2:15 PM

[visionary]

http://www.vice.com/read/i-went-to-s...?Contentpage=1

Obama not ready to recognize, arm Syrian rebels

Obama told a White House news conference that his administration had been consulting intensively with foes of Syrian President Bashar Assad to broader their base, a step they took over the weekend a conference in Qatar.

"I am encouraged to see that the Syrian opposition created an umbrella group that may have more cohesion than they have had in the past," Obama told reporters.

"We consider them a legitimate representative of the aspirations of the Syrian people," Obama said. "We're not yet prepared to recognize them as some sort of government in exile. But we do think that it is a broad-based representative group."

Well no ****. What good does saying that do? Nothing.

Obama said the U.S. needed more time and wanted to make sure that the group "is committed to a democratic Syria, an inclusive Syria, a moderate Syria." He also said the U.S. isn't considering sending weapons to the opposition because of concerns the arms might fall into the hands of extremists.

"We have seen extremist elements insinuate themselves into the opposition and one of the things that we have to be on guard about, particularly when we start talking about arming opposition figures, is that we are not indirectly putting arms in the hands of folks that would do Americans harms, or do Israeli harm or otherwise engage in actions that are detrimental to our national security," he said.

Nonsense. Complete nonsense. The extremists get plenty of weapons from other independant sources already and they will continue to do so, no matter how much we choose to screw over the more moderate guys. We know this by now, everyone keeps telling us.
I don't know why I expected us to learn from our mistakes, when we don't seem to give a ****.


http://www.vice.com/read/i-went-to-s...?Contentpage=1

I Went to Syria to Learn How to Be a Journalist

And Failed Miserably at It While Almost Dying a Bunch of Times

https://twitter.com/rozalinachomsky

2 military officers, saif bidaiwi & alaa bidaiwi, have defected to jordan
5:17 PM

3 military policemen have defected to resistance fighters in daraa city
5:21 PM

resistance fighters killed +35 assad troops, destroyed a bmp vehicle & a small truck & arrested thugs between palmyra & al-raqqah
5:26 PM

resistance fighters seized 9 cars, a tank & a bmp vehicle between al-raqqah & dibsi afnan http://youtu.be/kKesjonyWyg
5:42 PM

resistance fighters have liberated al-sheikh sa`id neighborhood in aleppo city (videos in the morning)
6:28 PM

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?p...17848338242310

Local Coordination Committees in Syria

By the end of Wednesday the LCC managed to document 100 martyrs, including 5 children and 3 women: 37 martyrs were reported in Damascus and its Suburbs; 16 in Aleppo; 14 in Deir Ezzor; 12 in Idlib; 7 in Daraa; 5 in Homs; 4 in Hama; 3 in Hassakeh; 1 in Lattakia; and 1 in Quneitra
6:34 PM

http://www.extremeskins.com/showthre...=1#post9046975
38,716 people killed so far in Syria

[visionary]

http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticl...aspx?ID=456953

Turkey recognizes new Syria opposition

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Thursday that Turkey "recognizes the Syrian National Coalition as the sole legitimate representative of the people of Syria."

Davutoglu made the comments during a ministerial meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation which is being held in Djibouti, according to Anatolia news agency.

Davutoglu also called on the international communtity to follow suit and give more support to the Syrian opposition, which emerged newly unified on Sunday after marathon talks in Doha.

https://twitter.com/rozalinachomsky

resistance fighters have liberated the bridge that connects abukamal with al-baghouz. a military checkpoint was destroyed
5:12 AM

the liberation of the military security compound in abukamal city http://youtu.be/xGMaLzNEJbY
5:16 AM

resistance fighters arrested the chairman of the military security compound in abukamal city
5:18 AM

resistance fighters have liberated the agricultural bank in abukamal city
5:24 AM

the liberation of al-sukkariyah square in abukamal http://youtu.be/Zj0ipoUiT_8
6:50 AM

https://twitter.com/rozalinachomsky

resistance fighters killed tha'ir al-saqqa, head of the military investigation branch in abukamal city
6:55 AM

resistance fighters seized a tank: see the size of the military security base in abukamal city http://youtu.be/vM4QVeF2i5U
7:05 AM

resistance fighters shot down a warplane near the town of al-ghabrah (abukamal)
8:06 AM

resistance fighters arrested colonel pilot khalil awad http://youtu.be/5csgrlAIA4Y
8:39 AM

https://twitter.com/AlexCrawfordSky

FSA say they've taken the military security in Albokamal, Deir Azzour + bridge + main checkpoints. Only airport under army control.
8:39 AM

https://twitter.com/alextomo

at Atmah camp n Syria for 13.000 displaced Syrians apparently beyond reach of major int'l aid...
9:39 AM

no sanitations. A few loos for women only. Sewage flowing through camp...
9:40 AM

people here begging to be allowed into Turkey for urgent medical treatment. There is food and water but it's limited...
9:41 AM

with winter coming soon this stinking, overcrowded place will be a disaster zone
9:42 AM

the camp school - 1 tent, 120 children "I have to format their brains or they'll waste and become criminal" says teacher
9:50 AM

https://twitter.com/LordAldiery

With Assad forces almost all but defeated in Albukamal, the next obstacle would be making the push to Mayadeen and securing its airport
10:51 AM

[visionary]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/15/op...?smid=tw-share

The Men Are Vanishing Here

It was cold and drizzling as yet another family made homeless by war arrived in this town in northern Syria to start a new life in a tent.

Khadija al-Ali seemed to be trying not to cry as she explained how in the space of a week she had gone from middle-class housewife to homeless single mother.

There are dangers with greater involvement, and Syria is a more difficult arena to intervene than Libya was, but let’s acknowledge that the existing hands-off approach has failed. Western passivity has backfired and accelerated all that Washington fears: chaos, regional instability, sectarianism and growing influence of Islamic militants.

The United States certainly shouldn’t send boots on the ground. But there are steps we can take to save lives, hasten an end to the war, reduce the risks to the region and protect American interests as well. A sensible menu includes a NATO-backed no-fly zone over parts of northern Syria, transfers of weapons and ammunition (though not antiaircraft weapons) to the Free Syrian Army, training and intelligence support, and cooperation with rebels to secure chemical weapons.

“The government kills us every day, and nobody cares about us,” said Aisha Muhammad, who doesn’t know her age but looked to be in her 70s. She said that a government sniper had shot one of her two sons, costing him his arm, and that the other had been arrested five months ago and not heard from since.

Asked if he is still alive, she teared up and gulped: “I don’t know.” Her entire village has been destroyed, and she is now living out her old age alone, in a soggy, chilly tent. For her and other homeless Syrians, there’s only one certainty: winter will make the coming months even more wretched.

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/15...l-ayn-1st.html

Rebels capture Ras al Ayn, 1st town to fall in Syria’s Kurdish region

Rebels who are fighting the Syrian government took control of a fourth border crossing with Turkey after killing or capturing the remaining government soldiers in the city of Ras al Ayn on Wednesday evening.

On Thursday, there were no airstrikes here for the first time in three days as the Syrian government apparently gave up holding the city, at least temporarily. Rebels who began fighting here a week ago said they’d rest for a few days and then push south, toward an army artillery base.

The bodies of five Syrian soldiers and militiamen lay on the side of a road on the southeast side of the city, shot by rebels as they tried to flee from an agricultural company the army had used as a base. Rebels surrounded the base in the city’s Asfar Najjar neighborhood a week ago, eventually leaving the soldiers without food and other supplies.

“We were prepared to fight against small groups, not so many rebels,” said a soldier who’d been captured at the base Wednesday. The man declined to give his name, but he described failed attempts by the military to resupply the trapped soldiers.

“They dropped food once and weapons twice from a helicopter, but each time they missed and the Free Army took the supplies,” the soldier said, using a moniker the rebels commonly use to refer to themselves.

https://twitter.com/rozalinachomsky

resistance fighters destroyed a military tank near ghassan abboud square in deirezzor city
11:59 AM

resistance fighters say they have liberated al-amiriyah neighborhood in aleppo city
12:13 PM

from al-islam brigade: resistance fighters blew up a tank in zamalka (damascus countryside) http://youtu.be/MXeLSAvjmaY
1:49 PM

many troops have defected in qal`at al-madiq in hama. they are fighting assad's forces
2:00 PM

3 troops defected to resistance fighters in al-tadamon (damascus) http://youtu.be/c6Kpx9ASI2k
2:10 PM

https://twitter.com/DamascusTribune

FSA destroyed a tank by a land mine in Harasta city of Damascus Suburbs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1c3-...ature=youtu.be
2:09 PM

https://twitter.com/tweets4peace

Probably the clearest video yet of aerial attacks on Syria. Taftanaz, Idlib http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=V7MJr8_2zU8 … FSA are the terrorists.. Yea.
2:28 PM

https://twitter.com/samersniper

FSA Destroyed the biggest army barrier on the highway between Raqqa and Aleppo.. and Now 150 km highway is completely controlled by FSA
5:43 PM

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?p...17848338242310

Local Coordination Committees in Syria:

The number of martyrs in Syria has risen to 110 so far (including 10 children and 5 women), 54 martyrs were reported in Damascus and its Suburbs, 17 martyrs in Aleppo, 14 martyrs in Homs, 15 martyrs in Aleppo, 5 martyrs in Idlib, 5 martyrs in Raqqa, 5 martyrs in Daraa, 5 martyrs in Hama, 3 martyrs in Deir Ezzor and 2 martyrs in Lattakia
3:17 PM

--------------------------------------------------

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Mid...#axzz2CMzbCxuW

On Syrian border, mixed feelings for rebel 'liberators'

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?p...17848338242310

Local Coordination committees in Syria

By the end of Thursday the LCC managed to document 130 martyrs (including 11 children and 5 women), 59 martyrs were reported in Damascus and its Suburbs, 21 martyrs in Aleppo, 17 martyrs in Homs, 10 martyrs in Idlib, 8 martyrs in Daraa, 5 martyrs in Raqqa, 5 martyrs in Hama, 3 martyrs in Deir Ezzor and 2 martyrs in Lattakia
6:50 PM

http://www.extremeskins.com/showthre...=1#post9046975
38,846 people killed so far in Syria

[visionary]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8MGC1H20121116

More Syria officers, soldiers and families defect to Turkey

A Syrian general and a dozen other officers defected with their families to Turkey on Friday, Turkey's state-run news agency reported, following heavy fighting on Turkey's southeastern border with Syria.

Ankara said on Friday it had "intensified" talks with its NATO allies on steps to shore up security on the 900 km (560 mile) frontier with the 20-month civil war in Syria at stalemate.

State-run Anatolian agency said 53 people had crossed the border - one general, 12 other officers and an unspecified number of soldiers and their families.

They crossed into Turkey's southern Hatay province and were sent by local authorities to the Apaydin refugee camp, Today's Zaman newspaper reported on its website.

With winter setting in, dozens of Syrian military officers are holed up in Turkish camps, along with about 120,000 civilian refugees.

https://twitter.com/rozalinachomsky

i can say now that the resistance fighters have liberated the town of dibsi afnan (al-raqqah)
5:51 AM

some assad troops have defected in the town of zakieh (damascus countryside)
6:14 AM

colonel sa`id muhammad al-hariri has defected to jordan
6:46 AM

resistance fighters destroyed a military tank near ma`arrat al-nu`man city
8:06 AM

https://twitter.com/AlexanderPageSY

BREAKING: Area of Kafarbutna in Damascus now witnessing air force attacks which have so far left 6 confirmed deaths and dozens wounded
6:30 AM

Mohamad Dughmosh @MDughmoch AlArabiya TV's reporter endures sever wounds to the head when regime forces shell a protest in Aleppo
9:11 AM

BREAKING: the situation in BustanAlQasr is devastating, 10s of civilians killed in a brutal attack by regime forces Aleppo
9:19 AM

AlArabiya reporter Mohamad Dughmosh @MDughmosh now in turkey and stable after shrapnel injury to the head in BustanAlQasr
12:15 PM

https://twitter.com/rozalinachomsky

resistance fighters liberated al-aliyah area (ras al-ain, al-hasakah) & seized 30 boxes of ammunition. all ras al-ain is free
8:25 AM

resistance fighters say they shot down 2 military copters in damascus countryside
10:00 AM

resistance fighters say they shot down a military copter near al-nayrab military airport (aleppo)
11:11 AM

13 troops have defected near the town of ataman in daraa
1:08 PM

https://twitter.com/RafifJ

LCC: Idlb: Harem: 7 regime soldiers defected and joined the Free Syrian Army
2:31 PM

LCC is now reporting defections at Hamdan [military airport outside Bokamal, Deir Ezzour]
2:46 PM

https://twitter.com/NMSyria

Reports that at least 30 soldiers have defected at Hamdan Military Airport, which is currently in control/surrounded by the FSA.
3:22 PM

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?p...17848338242310

Local Coordination Committees in Syria:

By the end of Friday the LCC managed to document 122 martyrs (including 4 women and 3 children), 35 martyrs were reported in Damascus and its Suburbs, 32 martyrs in Aleppo (most of them were martyred in Bustan Qasr), 15 martyrs in Idlib, 8 martyrs in Daraa, 8 martyrs in Hama, 6 martyrs in Raqqa, 6 martyrs in Deir Ezzor, 5 martyrs in Homs, 3 martyrs in Banyas, 3 martyrs in Lattakia and 1 martyr in Quneitra
6:43 PM

http://www.extremeskins.com/showthre...=1#post9046975
38,968 people killed so far in Syria

[visionary]

http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/wor...order-town.cnn

Inside a Syrian border town

Added on November 16, 2012

CNN's Ivan Watson goes inside Syria to Ras Al Ain, which has seen intense fighting.

https://twitter.com/rozalinachomsky

from ahrar al-sham brigades: resistance fighters destroyed a military convoy near damascus city http://youtu.be/pngqW6gpGx4
12:51 AM

resistance fighters blew up many assad troops in al-lairmoun market (al-jazz market) in aleppo city
1:03 AM

https://twitter.com/javierespinosa2

Turkish journalist detained in Syria since August released (Afp) Turkey
5:18 AM

https://twitter.com/Turk4Syria

Syrian war planes have bombed Bab El Hawa border crossing with Turkey.
5:43 AM

https://twitter.com/SyrianSmurf

I have a friend in the FSA in Bokamal that I haven't spoken to since July...I wonder if he's still alive or not...
5:18 AM

The FSA in Bokamal DeirEzzor announce the liberation of the Hamdan airport thus liberating the entire city. https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=ygmrOkEJrKU
5:23 AM

France accepts Munthir Makhoos of the SNC as the new Syrian Ambassador to the country. Makhoos is from the Alawite sect of Syria.
5:51 AM

[visionary]

https://twitter.com/SyrianSmurf

Regime planes flew over Turkish airspace today. Turkey responding by sending Turkish F-16s over Harem Idlib chasing the regime planes away
9:52 AM

https://twitter.com/Turk4Syria

Every time it happens we hear Turkey say "but next time we'll shoot".
9:53 AM

https://twitter.com/SyrianSmurf

The FSA in Harem Idlib has shot down a regime MiG! It fell over Kafrtkhareem!
12:17 PM

https://twitter.com/Turk4Syria

Mursi sounds pretty neutral on Syria, talking about ending of violence. Erdogan naming directly naming Assad & saying he will not succeed.
3:30 PM

https://twitter.com/AllWeAskFor

My grandparents returned to Syria today to live under bombardment because UAE didn't have a place for 2, 80 year old Palestinians
3:31 PM

https://twitter.com/MajdArar

Heavy bombardment by rocket launchers in Damascus, most likely targeting Daraya
3:28 PM

Parts of Daraya are burning now after being rained by rockets. Damascus
3:44 PM

https://twitter.com/Basma_

Al-Boukamal is the 1st Syrian city to gain independence from France, residents remember as they talk about a 2nd one after airport takeover
3:45 PM

https://twitter.com/OnlySyrian

Azzera'a military checkpoint, close to the 46th brigade, is now controlled by Aleppo rebels.
3:53 PM

https://twitter.com/Brown_Moses

The Syrian opposition has built a robot for recovering rocks and AK-47s [to keep from being sniped] http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...4iHHVSg#t=178s
4:37 PM

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?p...17848338242310

The number of martyrs in Syria has risen to 120 martyrs (including 6 children and 3 women), 63 martyrs were reported in Damascus and its Suburbs (7 of the were martyred in Harasta), 21 martyrs in Deir Ezzor, 22 martyrs in Aleppo, 7 martyrs in Idlib, 4 martyrs in Homs, 2 martyrs in Daraa and one in Hama
4:55 PM