The Syrian Insurgency - One Year On

Special Report

Last modification: 24/05/12

Since last September, Syrian authorities have intensified their efforts to crush an insurgency that has been gaining ground since it began on March 15, 2011. The international community is still divided on how to end the violence that has claimed the lives of more than 8,500 people, according to the UN. Despite this, the United States and European Union are stepping up sanctions in the hope that it helps loosen President Bashar al-Assad’s grip on the country.

SYRIA

Syrian opposition leader resigns, says group divided

The head of the Syrian National Council, Burhan Ghalioun, stepped down on Thursday, saying the opposition group was splintered between Islamist and secular activists and had failed to live up to the sacrifices of the Syrian people.

SYRIA

Syrian forces pound rebel bastion of Rastan

Syrian forces shelled the rebel bastion of Rastan on Wednesday, activists said. The besieged Free Syrian Army also denied it was behind the kidnapping of Lebanese pilgrims in the north of the country, as alleged by the Lebanese foreign minister.

SYRIA

UN chief suspects al Qaeda in Damascus car bombings

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday that al Qaeda was likely behind a double car bombing in Damascus last week that killed 55 people, the deadliest attacks in Syria's capital since an anti-regime uprising began in March 2011.

SYRIA

Annan urges Syria to stop delaying humanitarian aid

UN-Arab League mediator Kofi Annan has urged Syria's government to allow the UN unhindered access to the more than one million people left in need of humanitarian aid after 15 months of conflict.

SYRIA

Syria clashes 'kill 23 soldiers' as EU slaps on new sanctions

At least 23 Syrian soldiers died in fierce clashes with armed rebels Monday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Meanwhile, the EU agreed to a 15th round of fresh sanctions to protest the government's crackdown on protests.

SYRIA

World leaders condemn Syria bombings

The United States and Europe joined international envoy Kofi Annan in strongly condemning the deadly bombings that rocked the Syrian capital of Damascus on Thursday. The twin blasts left at least 55 people dead and 372 wounded.

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SYRIA

Twin blasts rip through Damascus neighbourhood

Two strong blasts rocked the Syrian capital Damascus early on Thursday, causing damage to a military intelligence building and killing at least 40 people, state TV reported.

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SYRIA

Explosion lands near UN convoy in Syria

An explosion struck a military truck escorting UN monitors to Syria’s southern city of Deraa on Wednesday, injuring at least six soldiers. It is unclear who is responsible for the blast, or whether it was meant to target UN monitors or the military.

SYRIA

Syrian opposition decries 'sham' parliamentary election

Syrians voted in a parliamentary election on Monday that was touted by authorities as an example of political reform but dismissed by the opposition as a facade as deadly clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces continue.

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SYRIA

Blasts strike northern city of Aleppo, Damascus

An explosion in Syria’s northern city of Aleppo killed at least five people on Saturday, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, while two blasts were also reported in the capital, Damascus.

SYRIA

Syrian troops launch deadly raid on Aleppo University

An overnight raid by Syrian forces following student protests on Wednesday left four students dead and 28 wounded at Aleppo University, witnesses said. Students were beaten and humiliated, and at least 200 were detained.

SYRIA

Troops open fire as thousands protest in Syrian cities

Syrian troops opened fire on thousands of protesters rallying in Aleppo and other cities Friday in the wake of a raid on Aleppo's main university that left four students dead. Activists said 13 people were killed in Friday's unrest.

LEBANON

Lebanon halts ship with arms 'destined for Syria'

The Lebanese navy on Saturday intercepted a ship sailing from Libya with weapons believed to be destined for Syrian rebel forces, security officials said. The cargo included machineguns, artillery shells and rocket launchers.

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SYRIA

Deadly blast hits Damascus as tens of thousands protest

A suicide bomber killed at least 10 people in the Syrian capital Friday outside a mosque known as a launchpad for anti-regime protests as tens of thousands turned out in Syria's cities for weekly marches against President Bashar al Assad.

SYRIA

UN chief presses Syria to comply with peace plan

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon said Thursday that Syria's government has not honoured its "commitments to withdraw its troops and heavy weapons" and demanded that Damascus comply with its pledge without delay.

SYRIA

Syria opposition demands UN action over 'crimes'

Syria's main opposition group, the Syrian National Council, on Thursday called for the UN Security Council to hold emergency talks, claiming the regime of Bashar al-Assad broke a ceasefire with attacks killing over 100 people in the city of Hama.

SYRIA

Annan demands swift deployment of Syria observers

UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan called Tuesday for the quick deployment of 300 ceasefire observers in Syria, while a UN official said the process would take at least one month. Annan said he was "alarmed" at ongoing violence in the country.

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SYRIA

New EU sanctions after deadly shelling in Hama

The EU announced Monday that it would ban the export of luxury goods to Syria as part of new sanctions to punish the regime's continued violence. Syrian forces shelled the central city of Hama on Monday, killing at least 28 people, activists said.

SYRIA

Deadly shelling in Hama day after UN visit

Syrian forces shelled the central city of Hama on Monday, killing at least 20 people, activists said, just a day after UN observers, monitoring a cease-fire agreement, visited the city.

SYRIA

UN team tours Syria as attacks move to other areas

An advance team of UN observers toured flashpoint areas of Syria Sunday amid a lull in violence in those areas, but opposition groups said government troops kept up heavy attacks on regions where observers were not present.

SYRIA

UN council approves up to 300 Syria observers

The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to adopt a resolution authorising an initial deployment of up to 300 unarmed military observers in Syria for three months to monitor the country's fragile week-old ceasefire.

SYRIA

UN observers arrive in devastated city of Homs

A team of UN observers charged with monitoring an internationally-brokered ceasefire in Syria arrived in the devastated city of Homs on Saturday, state news agency SANA reported.

SYRIA

Syrian regime set on 'repression', France says

Following a "Friends of Syria" meeting in Paris, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé (left) said the Syrian opposition has abided by the requirements of a proposed peace plan while the regime has pursued its "repressive tactics" despite a ceasefire.

SYRIA

France, UN chief call for more observers to Syria

Damascus and the UN agreed Thursday on the terms for an observer mission to Syria as UN chief Ban Ki-moon and French officials said at least 300 more observers would be needed for the mission to succeed ahead of a "Friends of Syria" meeting in Paris.

SYRIA

UN chief calls for expanded observer mission in Syria

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has proposed an expanded mission of 300 observers to monitor Syria's fragile ceasefire, urging Syrian authorities to comply with their obligation to pull back troops.

SYRIA

Syrian ceasefire ignored as violence flares

Syrian forces shelled the city of Homs Wednesday as six security forces were reportedly killed by a bomb in the northern Idlib province, seven days into a supposed ceasefire and with the presence of a UN observer mission in the country.

SYRIA

UN demands free access for observer mission to Syria

An advance team of UN observers led by Moroccan Colonel Ahmed Himmiche (pictured) is in Syria to monitor a ceasefire. UN chief Ban Ki-moon has urged Damascus to grant the mission free access and said Syria is responsible for the team's safety.

SYRIA

'Difficult' task ahead for Syria observers

An advance team of UN monitors said Tuesday that they face a tough task in implementing a Syrian ceasefire declared six days ago amid continuing reports of violence. UN chief Ban Ki-moon has said that Damascus is responsible for the team's safety.

SYRIA

UN calls for 'restraint' as assault on Homs continues

UN chief Ban Ki-moon called Monday for Syria to show "maximum restraint" and to allow a UN observer mission full access, adding that Damascus was responsible for the safety of the mission as an assault on the rebel bastion of Homs continued.

SYRIA

UN observers head to Syria amid shaky ceasefire

The United Nations was set to send a team of 30 advance observers to Syria on Sunday as part of a mission to monitor a tenuous ceasefire in the country amid reports of a surge in violence on the ground.

LITERATURE

Al-Assad’s 'modest and sensitive' cousin publishes romantic thriller

While President Bashar al-Assad suppresses an uprising in Syria, his first cousin has written a romantic thriller warmly praised by Paris Match which describes Siwar al-Assad as a "modest and sensitive" man.

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SYRIA

Annan hopeful for ceasefire as bloodshed continues

Syrian forces continued to pound opposition neighbourhoods in the city of Homs Wednesday as peace envoy Kofi Annan said there was still a chance to salvage his plan to halt hostilities within hours. A ceasefire is due to take effect by Thursday.

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SYRIA

UN observer mission begins amid reports of violence

United Nations observers began a mission on Monday to monitor a ceasefire that came into effect last week amid reports of more violence on the ground. Two civilians were killed in Hama on Monday while fighting continued in Idlib, activists said.

SYRIA

UN observers head to Syria amid shaky ceasefire

FRANCE - SYRIA

Still hope for Syria ceasefire deadline, Annan says

UN/Arab League envoy Kofi Annan insisted his peace plan for Syria was still alive, despite continued fighting. Under Annan’s plan, government and opposition forces must end all hostilities by 6am Thursday.

RUSSIA - SYRIA

Annan visits Syrian refugees amid cross-border tensions

Special envoy Kofi Annan visited Syrian refugees in Turkey on Tuesday as his peace plan to end the violence hung by a thread. The visit comes as Ankara accused Syria of "violating" its borders when it fired on a refugee camp in Turkey on Monday.

TURKEY - SYRIA

Turkish foreign minister cuts short China visit over Syrian border fire

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu (pictured) has cut short a trip to China because of Syrian border fire, which Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan described as “a clear violation” on Monday. Davutoglu was supposed to return later in the week.

RUSSIA - SYRIA

Russia urges Syria to step up Annan peace plan

Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (pictured) urged the Syrian government to be “more active and decisive” on Tuesday in implementing an internationally-brokered peace plan, while calling on opposition fighters to do the same.

TURKEY - SYRIA

Turkey: Syrian cross-border shootings 'clear violation'

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (pictured) accused Damascus of infringing its border on Monday after Syrian forces fired into a refugee camp inside Turkey. Erdogan threatened “necessary measures” in response to the violation.

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SYRIA

No sign of Syrian peace deal hours before deadline

Hours before Syria's UN and Arab League-brokered peace plan was to come into force on Tuesday, violent clashes broke out across the country as the army was accused of mounting a violent offensive instead of withdrawing troops.

SYRIA

Fresh regime demands jeopardize Syrian peace plan

The Syrian peace plan brokered by international envoy Kofi Annan looked set to fall apart Monday after last-minute demands from President Bashar al-Assad’s government were swiftly rejected by rebel forces.

SYRIA - TURKEY

Hundreds of Syrians flee into Turkey within 24 hours

Almost 700 refugees fleeing the violence in Syria have crossed the border into Turkey in the past 24 hours, Turkish officials said on Saturday. More than 24,000 Syrians have sought refuge in Turkey since unrest began in Syria over a year.

SYRIA

Violence flares in Syria ahead of troop withdrawal

At least 74 civilians were killed across Syria on Saturday ahead of a troop withdrawal planned for Tuesday as part of a UN-backed peace plan. UN chief Ban Ki-moon has harshly criticised the Syrian government's "continued killing".

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DIPLOMACY

Syria agrees to ceasefire deadline, Annan says

International envoy Kofi Annan told the United Nations Security Council on Monday that Syria has agreed to halt violence against anti-government protesters on April 10, as part of a six-point peace plan hoped to end the country's year-long crisis.

SYRIA

Syrian cities bombarded as UN moves to send monitors

Opposition activists said Tuesday that forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad have stepped up their attacks on anti-regime militants as a final blow before next week's planned ceasefire, to which the government agreed yesterday.

DIPLOMACY

Gulf states propose funding Syrian opposition army

Gulf states are creating a multimillion-dollar fund to pay Syrian opposition soldiers and army defectors, participants at the "Friends of Syria" summit in Istanbul announced on Sunday. Syria has called the meeting an "international conspiracy".

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SYRIA

Rebel bid to topple the state 'is over', Syrian govt says

Syria’s foreign ministry said Saturday that a year-long uprising against the regime in Damascus had been defeated, but that army forces would remain in cities to maintain order and prevent certain elements from "sabotaging the path of reform".

SYRIA

Arming Syria rebels will lead to 'proxy war', Iraq warns

Arming Syria's opposition fighters would only lead to a "proxy war" and "infringe on the sovereignty of a brother Arab country" Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki warned Arab leaders at a summit in Baghdad on Thursday.

SYRIA

Clinton meets Gulf ministers over Syria peace plan

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton heads to Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh Thursday to meet Arab foreign ministers in further diplomatic efforts to pressure Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government to end over a year of violence.

ARAB LEAGUE

Syria takes centre stage at Arab League summit

UN-Secretary General Ban Ki-moon joined Arab ministers at a crucial Arab League summit in Iraq’s capital Baghdad on Thursday to discuss a UN-backed peace plan for Syria amid continuing violence in the country.

SYRIA

Clinton meets Gulf ministers over Syria peace plan

SYRIA

More than 9,000 killed in Syrian clashes, UN says

The United Nations said Tuesday that it estimates more than 9,000 civilians have been killed in more than a year of unrest in Syria as anti-regime forces continue to battle Syrian army troops in sporadic clashes across the country.

SYRIA

Syrian government agrees to Annan peace plan

Syria's government agreed Tuesday to a six-point peace plan proposed by joint United Nations-Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan. The plan calls for a daily two-hour ceasefire and unrestricted access to areas affected by clashes.

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DIPLOMACY

Annan ‘may be last chance’ for Syria, says Russia

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Sunday described international efforts to end fighting in Syria as the "last chance" to avoid civil war. The United States and Turkey meanwhile flagged providing non-lethal aid to the opposition.

SYRIA - EU

EU imposes assets freeze and travel ban on Assad family

EU foreign ministers on Friday imposed a travel ban and assets freeze on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's wife Asma (pictured), as well as on his mother and sister, in a new round of sanctions aimed at ending the country's violent conflict.

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SYRIA - FOOTBALL

FC Barcelona, an anti-Assad agent?

Syrian state TV channel Al Dunya has accused Qatar, FC Barcelona’s main sponsor, of using matches played by the Champions League title holders to spread coded messages to Syrian insurgents.

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SYRIA

Syrian rebels accused of torture and executions

New York-based Human Rights Watch has accused members of Syria’s armed opposition of serious abuses, including torture and summary executions, underscoring the shift from a largely peaceful uprising to an increasingly bloody armed insurrection.

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SYRIA

Army launches new raids in several Syrian towns

The Syrian army launched new attacks on several towns early on Thursday, killing a teenage boy and wounding dozens in heavy shelling on the town of Sermin near the border with Turkey, human rights activists said.

SYRIA

Russia joins calls for humanitarian truce in Syria

Russia on Tuesday joined international calls for a humanitarian truce in Syria to allow much-needed aid and supplies to make their way to civilians even as fierce fighting between rebels and Syrian forces continues to rage in the capital, Damascus.

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SYRIA

More Gulf Arab states reject Syria over crackdown

Four more members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, representing the Gulf Arab states, announced the closure of their embassies in Damascus Friday, slamming the Syrian regime's continued "killing and tormenting of the unarmed Syrian people".

SYRIA

'Government-led' aid mission heading to Syria, says UN

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SYRIA

Syrian forces overrun rebel stronghold of Idlib

Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have taken full control of the north-western rebel stronghold of Idlib after four days of heavy clashes with the Free Syrian Army (FSA), opposition activists said Wednesday.

SYRIA

Report says Syrian detainees face 'systematic torture'

FRANCE 24 EXCLUSIVE

FRANCE 24 exclusive video: Syria’s sniper alleys

Reporting from the western Syrian city of Al-Qusayr near Homs, FRANCE 24’s reporters find a city terrorised by snipers in the second part of our exclusive coverage from inside Syria.

SYRIA

Syria's Assad calls parliamentary elections for May 7

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad called Tuesday for parliamentary elections to be held on May 7 under a new constitution adopted in February even as monitors reported more deaths in a continuing crackdown on anti-regime dissent.

FRANCE 24 EXCLUSIVE

FRANCE 24 exclusive video: Syria's rebels underground

FRANCE 24 broadcasts exclusive coverage of the uprising in Syria from the town of al-Qusayr, where fighters from the rebel Syrian Liberation Army wait in fear for the next onslaught by President Bashar al-Assad’s forces.

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SYRIA

Assad ignores Annan and presses on with assault

Syrian forces continued to bombard rebel positions near the Turkish border on Tuesday as UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan said President Bashar al-Assad had not responded to peace proposals made during Annan's visit to Damascus last weekend.

SYRIA

Opposition says 47 women, children dead in 'massacre'

Syrian activists said Monday that the bodies of 47 women and children have been found in the flashpoint city of Homs, following a government "massacre" on Sunday. The Syrian opposition called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

SYRIA

Annan ‘optimistic’ after Assad talks, still no deal

UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan said he had offered Syrian President Bashar al-Assad “concrete proposals” and felt optimistic after a second round of talks in Damascus Sunday, but acknowledged there was still no deal in place to halt the bloodshed.

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SYRIA

Kofi Annan to hold second round of talks with Assad

UN-Arab league envoy Kofi Annan was set to hold a second round of talks with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad on Sunday. Al-Assad had warned Annan on Saturday there would be no peace as long as “terrorist groups” remained active in Syria.

SYRIA

Syrian forces kill dozens on eve of Kofi Annan visit

Syrian forces killed some 54 people across the country Friday, just a day before new UN-Arab League international envoy Kofi Annan was to arrive in Damascus to assess the situation. The resumption of violence followed a few days of relative calm.

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SYRIA

‘Bashar al-Assad has proved he is still in control’

The Syrian army has retaken control of the rebellious Baba Amr district of Homs after weeks of heavy shelling. Syria specialist Fabrice Balanche looks at the implications of the fall of the opposition stronghold.

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LEBANON

French reporter Bouvier safe in Lebanon after Homs siege

Wounded French reporter Edith Bouvier has arrived in Lebanon from the besieged Syrian city of Homs, her family told FRANCE 24 Thursday. She was accompanied by French photographer William Daniels, who was also trapped in Homs for over a week.

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SYRIA

'The enforcer' who heads Syria’s dreaded army division

As head of the Syrian Army’s elite Fourth Division, Maher al-Assad (left) has a reputation for ruthlessness. He's also President Bashar al-Assad's (right) younger brother - and in Syria, presidential younger brothers often play the heavy.

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SYRIA

Aid convoy blocked from Baba Amr, Red Cross says

Syrian authorities blocked an aid convoy from the International Committee of the Red Cross from entering the Baba Amr neighbourhood of Homs on Friday, the aid group said. ICRC president Jakob Kellenberger called the move "unacceptable".

SYRIA

Rebels make 'tactical' retreat from Baba Amr in Homs

Syrian opposition fighters said Thursday that they were making a "tactical" retreat from the key Homs district of Baba Amr because of the worsening humanitarian situation as Syrian troops continue to bombard the city.

SYRIA

Syrians 'back' constitution amid bloodshed

Syrian officials said Tuesday voters had approved a new constitution in a referendum Western leaders decried as a 'farce'. The announcement comes as government forces tighten their grip on rebels in the besieged city of Homs.

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SYRIA

Journalists still trapped as Red Crescent enters Homs

Aid teams from the Syrian Red Crescent entered the besieged Homs suburb of Baba Amr on Monday according to the Red Cross. Ambulances evacuated three wounded Syrians but foreign journalists trapped in the city were not among the rescued.

SYRIA

Syria says 89% of voters approve new constitution

A Syrian interior minister said 89.4% of voters approved a new constitution in Sunday’s national referendum, putting turnout at 57.4 percent. Western countries have dismissed the constitution presented by President Bashar al-Assad as a sham.

SYRIA

EU agrees to new sanctions on Syrian regime

The European Union agreed to fresh sanctions against Syria Monday, including a freeze on assets at the European Central Bank. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe told a UN Human Rights Council the same day that Bashar al Assad would "face justice".

SYRIA

West dismisses Syria referendum as 'farce'

The US and its allies have dismissed the Syrian regime's referendum on a new constitution as a "farce" and "cynical ploy". The referendum proposes changes that include limiting the presidency to two seven-year terms.

SYRIA

Syria referendum held amid further bloodshed

Dozens were killed in further bloodshed in Syria on Sunday as the country voted in a referendum on a new constitution. The result of the vote is due to be announced on Monday but Western countries have already dismissed the referendum as a sham.

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On The Observers

Homs: The day citizen journalists’ cameras stopped rolling

For nearly a year now, journalists from the FRANCE 24 Observers team have been in daily contact with citizen journalists in Syria, in particular in the flashpoint city of Homs. Until a few weeks ago, dozens of them were constantly on Skype, sending us videos of violent crackdowns on protesters that they took great risks to film. But today, due to Internet outages, the vast majority of them are offline. The few that we are able to reach tell us that, for the first time since the beginning of the uprising, no one is out filming. Read more...

SYRIA

Journalists Marie Colvin and Remi Ochlik killed in Homs

The American veteran war reporter Marie Colvin and French photojournalist Remi Ochlik were killed Wednesday during the shelling of the opposition stronghold of Homs by Syrian forces, the French Foreign Ministry has confirmed.

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SYRIA

Syrian security forces clamp down on Damascus

Syrian police and militia maintained a heavy presence in Damascus on Sunday to prevent a repeat of yesterday's massive protests against President Bashar al-Assad, as opposition activists called for a “day of defiance”.

SYRIA

Syrian forces open fire on Damascus protests

Syrian government forces killed at least one person when they opened fire on demonstrators Saturday after tens of thousands of people gathered in the capital Damascus to protest against President Bashar al-Assad.

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SYRIA

Chinese envoy backs Assad referendum plan

Syrian TV has quoted China’s Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun on Saturday as backing embattled President Bashar al-Assad’s plans for a referendum paving the way for parliamentary elections, and urging an end to 11 months of violence.

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JOURNALISM - OBITUARY

Pulitzer-winning New York Times reporter dies in Syria

New York Times reporter Anthony Shadid (far right), a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, has died in Syria of an asthma attack at the age of 43. Shadid was renowned for his intrepid war reporting and for his recent coverage of the Arab Spring.

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SYRIA

Syrian forces pound Homs after UN condemnation

Syrian troops have fired a barrage of shells at rebel-held neighbourhoods in the city of Homs, activists said Friday, a day after the UN General Assembly passed a resolution backing an Arab League plan for President Bashar al-Assad to step down.

SYRIA

Syrian forces renew assault on rebel-held parts of Homs

Syrian troops launched a new assault to retake rebel-held areas of Homs on Tuesday, a day after the UN rights chief warned that crimes against humanity "are likely to have been committed" since the anti-regime uprising began in March last year.

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SYRIA

Arab League plots next move as fighting spreads

Arab League foreign ministers are gathering in Cairo Sunday to plan their next move in Syria. The meeting comes a day after fighting killed 45 people across the country, including a top Syrian general, and at least three in Lebanon.

SYRIA

Homs under fire after Arab League vows to aid rebels

Syrian forces launched a new assault on the restive city of Homs on Monday, a day after the Arab League called for the first time on its member states to aid opposition fighters seeking the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad.

SYRIA

Syrian forces continue siege of Homs

Syrian forces continued with their deadly bombardment of Homs Saturday, bringing the number of people killed in the week-long assault to at least 300. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has put a draft peace plan to the UN General Assembly.

SYRIA

Saudi Arabia backs Arab peace plan for Syria at UN

In the wake of Friday's deadly bomb blasts in Syria's second city of Aleppo, Saudi Arabia circulated a draft resolution to the UN General Assembly backing an Arab peace plan for the country. A similar text was vetoed last week by Russia and China.

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SYRIA

Homs assault continues after Russian peace efforts

Tanks from Syria’s security forces pushed deeper into the city of Homs Wednesday, continuing to crackdown on the restive city just a day after Russia’s foreign minister said he found President Bashar al-Assad “committed” to ending the bloodshed.

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DIPLOMACY

France recalls ambassador to Syria over 'worsening repression'

France joined Britain, Spain, Italy and Belgium in recalling its ambassador to Syria, Eric Chevallier (far right), "for consultations" on Tuesday. A foreign ministry spokesman cited Syria's "worsening repression" in announcing the move.

SYRIA

Assad 'committed' to ending violence, Russian envoy says

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (pictured) said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is "fully committed" to ending a violent crackdown on protests after talks Tuesday in Damascus. Homs residents say the city continues to be hit by artillery.

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SYRIA

Russian-Syrian talks begin as assault on Homs continues

Russia's foreign minister on Tuesday began talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to end the crackdown, while residents of Homs reported that Syrian forces continued to pound the restive city with rockets.

SYRIA

US, British ambassadors recalled from Damascus

The United States has closed its embassy in Damascus and recalled all diplomatic personnel amid persistent security concerns, US officials said Monday. Britain also recalled its ambassador to Syria "for consultations" on Monday.

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SYRIA

China defends veto on Syria resolution

China on Monday defended its veto of a United Nations draft resolution calling on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to leave power, on the grounds that last year’s resolution on Libya led to foreign interference that went beyond its mandate.

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SYRIA

Western leaders urge united action after veto 'travesty'

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday echoed the French president’s call for "friends of Syria" nations to squeeze the regime in Damascus after Russia and China vetoed a UN resolution on the unrest. Clinton called the veto a "travesty".

SYRIA

Pressure on Russia to broker deal after stalemate at UN

With a UN peace plan for Syria in tatters following a double veto by Russia and China, Syrian opposition groups say it is now up to Moscow to broker a deal with President Bashar al-Assad to end the bloodshed.

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UNITED NATIONS

Anger as Russia, China veto UN draft resolution on Syria

Russia and China vetoed a draft UN resolution backing an Arab League call for Syria's Bashar al-Assad to step down on Saturday, prompting anger from the United States and France. The US ambassador said she was “disgusted” by the move.

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UNITED NATIONS

Russia cites 'crucial' issues with UN draft as vote nears

SYRIA

'More than 200' killed in Homs ahead of UN resolution vote

Syrian activists say almost 200 people were killed during heavy shelling by security forces in the flashpoint city of Homs, a day before a crucial UN vote Saturday on a resolution that Russia has repeatedly threatened to veto.

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SYRIA

Syria resolution redrafted to head off Russian veto

A draft UN resolution condemning Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was revised on Thursday in an attempt to avoid a Russian veto. Moscow objects to language stating that the Security Council "fully supports" an Arab League plan for Assad to step down.

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SYRIA

Some Arab observers in Syria ‘for pleasure'

Some of the Arab league observers were more concerned about getting nice hotel rooms and visiting the capital Damascus than reporting objectively on the deteriorating security situation in Syria, according to the head of the mission.

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SYRIA

Clashes rage in Syria as Russia delays UN vote

The latest wave of violent clashes in Syria left dozens dead on Wednesday as Russia told Western powers and the Arab League that a UN vote on a tough resolution against President Bashar al-Assad would need more time.

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SYRIA

Moscow stalls diplomatic offensive on Syria

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SYRIA

Western powers press Russia on Syria resolution

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé and Britain's William Hague are pressing Russia to back a UN resolution Tuesday demanding that the Syrian leadership call a ceasefire and hand over power ahead of talks.

SYRIA

Arab League suspends Syria monitoring mission

The Arab League announced on Saturday that it had suspended its monitoring mission to Syria, citing mounting violence. The mission was intended to assess a 10-month-long crackdown on protests against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

SYRIA - EXCLUSIVE REPORT

On the ground with the Free Syrian Army

Foreign journalists have been mostly unable to work in Syria since the uprising began last March and a harsh government crackdown ensued. Two undercover FRANCE 24 reporters provide an exclusive report of conditions on the ground.

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SYRIA

Syria rejects Arab League call for power transfer

A Syrian official on Monday said the government had rejected an Arab League plan for President Bashar al-Assad to transfer power to his vice president, describing the plan as a "flagrant interference."

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SYRIA

Blame game follows twin attacks in Syrian capital

Syria's opposition has accused the government of staging Friday's twin suicide attacks on security services in Damascus in which 44 people were killed. The Syrian authorities have blamed the attacks on "terrorists and al Qaeda".

SYRIA

'Stop killing your people', UN chief tells Syria's Assad

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Bashar al-Assad on Sunday to "stop killing your people" as the embattled Syrian president announced a general amnesty for all crimes linked to the 10-month-long anti-regime uprising.

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SYRIA

EU set to slap fresh sanctions on Syria

The European Union is expected to extended its sanctions against Syria next week to include a further 22 individuals and eight companies. No details were immediately available on the identities of the new targets.

SYRIA

Syria agrees to Arab League observer mission

A team of Arab League observers will head to Syria on Thursday as part of a peace plan that aims to end a nine-month-long crackdown on protests against President Bashar al-Assad. Syria signed a deal agreeing to the observers on Monday.

SYRIA

In unsettling times, Syria’s Christians walk a tightrope

As they face an uncertain future, Syria’s minority Christian community has legitimate fears. But is embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad manipulating an ancient community in an ancient land?

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SYRIA

Death toll tops 5,000 in Syrian crackdown, UN says

UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said Monday that more than 5,000 people have been killed in a continuing government crackdown on nine months of anti-regime demonstrations in Syria, calling on the UN to launch a probe into crimes against humanity.

SYRIA

Syria denies involvement in attack on French peacekeepers

Syria denied involvement Monday in a bombing that wounded five French UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon on Friday. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé has accused Hezbollah of being behind the attack as "Syria's armed wing" in Lebanon.

SYRIA

France calls on world powers to 'save the Syrian people'

France joined Britain and the US on Saturday in raising an alarm that Syria's President Bashar al-Assad's troops may be about to launch a crackdown on opposition forces in the city of Homs.

SYRIA

Violence flares as Assad bids to choke off uprising

Activists say four children were among at least 24 people killed by Syrian security forces in Homs and Damascus on Friday as an increasingly isolated President Bashar al-Assad stepped up efforts to end a nine-month popular uprising.

SYRIA

Arab League meets to vote on Syria sanctions

Arab foreign ministers meet in Cairo on Sunday to vote on new sanctions against Syria, which would include a travel ban and an asset freeze on officials as well as the suspension of transactions with the Syrian regime.

SYRIA

Arab League deadline ignored by Syrian regime

A 24 hour deadline for Syria to respond to an Arab League demand to sign a deal allowing monitors into the country passed on Friday with no response from Damascus. The League has extended the deadline until this evening.

SYRIA-TURKEY

Turkish PM calls on Syria’s Assad to step down

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (pictured) on Tuesday called for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to learn a lesson from toppled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and step down “without spilling any more blood”. Turkey has taken in Syrian refugees.

Syria

Clinton warns of 'real possibility' of Syrian civil war

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Friday that civil war in Syria is a very real possibility, with an opposition force 'directed and influenced' by defectors from the ruling regime's armed forces.

Analysis

SYRIA

The absolute power of the Assad family

THE INTERVIEW

Peter Harling, Project Director for Iraq, Lebanon and Syria at the International Crisis Group

SYRIA

Murdered teenager becomes symbol of Syrian uprising

ON THE OBSERVERS

Syria’s apparent new scare tactic: arresting, torturing, then releasing protesters

SYRIA

Journalist released from Syrian detention describes harrowing ordeal

SYRIA

Syria ‘drops bid’ to join UN human rights body

SYRIA

‘When has this regime ever been legitimate?’

WEBNEWS

Brutal repression hardens Syrian protesters' resolve

SYRIA

Mass grave found near Deraa, villagers say

SYRIA Q&A

'The regime in Syria is not as strong as it seems'

THE WEEK IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Syria: Bashar al-Assad, once seen as a reformer

THE WEEK IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Bashar al-Assad, 10 years in power

SPECIAL REPORT

REPORTERS

EXCLUSIVE: Syria's Al-Qusayr, waiting to fall

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

FRANCE 24 EXCLUSIVE

US ambassador: 'Intervention not an option in Syria'

FRANCE 24 REPORTS

SYRIA

Are sanctions the key to crippling Assad's regime?

SYRIA

Timeline: Al-Assad faces unprecedented challenge

France 24 reports

SYRIA

Exiled dissidents strive to bridge generation gap

SYRIAN SATIRE

SYRIA

Assad regime falls victim to ‘weapon of mass derision’

WEBNEWS

Syrian women demand release of detainees

THE DEBATE

Syria - Assad: is the iron fist weakening?

THE DEBATE

Can Assad hold Syria?

SYRIA

Exiled cyber-activist refuses to be silenced

SYRIA

Syrian president ends five decades of emergency rule

SYRIA

SYRIA

Assad speaks – and crushes hopes of Damascus Spring

A "black page" in European history

The European Union has added a “black page” to the history of “colonialism” in the Middle East, Syrian foreign minister Walid Muallem said Monday, reacting to new EU sanctions on President Bashar Al-Assad.

"They erred when they attacked the president and when they adopted sanctions that harm the Syrian people," Muallem said in an interview on state television.

"Europe needs us as we need them," he warned. "These measures will harm Syria's interests as they will those of Europe, and Syria will not remain silent to this."

FRANCE 24 EXCLUSIVE

FRANCE 24

The alleged Syrian ambassador speaking on FRANCE 24

‘Darth Vader’ demands free land from Ukrainian government