31 mar 2013
‘US Army veteran fighting Syrian government worked for CIA’
Eric Harroun and a foreign-backed militant in Syria. (File photo)
The father of a US Army veteran recently arrested by the FBI for joining foreign-backed militants in Syria says his son was serving the CIA and reporting back to the Agency from the country.
Darryl Harroun says his son Eric, who was arrested and charged with conspiracy on Wednesday for fighting with al-Qaeda-linked militants, is extremely patriotic and would not join militants.
Eric Harroun (file photo)
“I know he was doing some work for the CIA over there,” Darryl said. “I know for a fact that he was passing information onto the CIA.”
However, the FBI affidavit mentioned no word of Harroun working for the CIA.
Harroun, 30, was arrested upon arriving at Dulles International Airport in Virginia, after fighting with the notorious al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front in Syria since January.
The detained soldier has confessed to shooting 10 people and using a rocket-propelled grenade while in Syria and being involved in downing a Syrian chopper. He is also charged with plotting to use a weapon of mass destruction outside the US.
Harroun has appeared in a number of videos on the Internet showing him with militants in Syria.
This is while the New York Times said in a report last week that the CIA was cooperating with Turkey and a number of other regional governments to supply arms to militants fighting the government in Syria.
The report comes as the US has repeatedly voiced concern over weapons falling into the hands of al-Qaeda-linked terrorist groups.
Al-Nusra was named a terrorist organization by Washington last December, even though it has been fighting with the US-backed so-called Free Syrian Army in its battle against Damascus.
The father of a US Army veteran recently arrested by the FBI for joining foreign-backed militants in Syria says his son was serving the CIA and reporting back to the Agency from the country.
Darryl Harroun says his son Eric, who was arrested and charged with conspiracy on Wednesday for fighting with al-Qaeda-linked militants, is extremely patriotic and would not join militants.
Eric Harroun (file photo)
“I know he was doing some work for the CIA over there,” Darryl said. “I know for a fact that he was passing information onto the CIA.”
However, the FBI affidavit mentioned no word of Harroun working for the CIA.
Harroun, 30, was arrested upon arriving at Dulles International Airport in Virginia, after fighting with the notorious al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front in Syria since January.
The detained soldier has confessed to shooting 10 people and using a rocket-propelled grenade while in Syria and being involved in downing a Syrian chopper. He is also charged with plotting to use a weapon of mass destruction outside the US.
Harroun has appeared in a number of videos on the Internet showing him with militants in Syria.
This is while the New York Times said in a report last week that the CIA was cooperating with Turkey and a number of other regional governments to supply arms to militants fighting the government in Syria.
The report comes as the US has repeatedly voiced concern over weapons falling into the hands of al-Qaeda-linked terrorist groups.
Al-Nusra was named a terrorist organization by Washington last December, even though it has been fighting with the US-backed so-called Free Syrian Army in its battle against Damascus.
28 mar 2013
11 Palestinian killed in Syria, including five of same family
Eleven Palestinian refugees were killed during the last 24 hours in light of the continued targeting and shelling of the Palestinian refugee camps, where 5 members of the same family were executed by the Syrian security forces.
The Working group for Palestinians in Syria reported in a press release on Thursday that the 5 Palestinian martyrs are from Nabulsi family, a father and his 3 children and wife, where they were executed by the Syrian forces in Daraa camp.
Three members of the Palestinian Liberation Army were killed, while 8 others were injured due to the shelling of their military site in Adra city on the outskirts of Damascus, the Working Group added.
The Palestinian refugee Ahmed Kassem was killed after shelling his home in Husseiniya camp on the outskirts of Damascus, while Nasser Sheikh Taha was killed by a sniper in A'aidin refugee camp in Homs. Yamen Adel Daher was martyred of wounds sustained during shelling on Khan al-Shih camp a week ago.
The Working group for Palestinians in Syria reported in a press release on Thursday that the 5 Palestinian martyrs are from Nabulsi family, a father and his 3 children and wife, where they were executed by the Syrian forces in Daraa camp.
Three members of the Palestinian Liberation Army were killed, while 8 others were injured due to the shelling of their military site in Adra city on the outskirts of Damascus, the Working Group added.
The Palestinian refugee Ahmed Kassem was killed after shelling his home in Husseiniya camp on the outskirts of Damascus, while Nasser Sheikh Taha was killed by a sniper in A'aidin refugee camp in Homs. Yamen Adel Daher was martyred of wounds sustained during shelling on Khan al-Shih camp a week ago.
Israel sets up field hospital in Golan to treat Syria militants
The Israeli military has set up a “military field hospital” in the occupied Golan Heights to treat wounded foreign-backed militants fighting against the government in neighboring Syria.
According to an AFP report, Israeli authorities confirmed the hospital was built at military outpost 105 in the occupied Syrian territories where injured militants fighting against Damascus are being treated near the Syrian border.
Reports further indicate that 11 anti-Damascus militants, who were wounded during the ongoing violence in Syria, have been sent to hospitals in northern Israel for treatment last month. Eight of them returned to Syria, while another three remained in Israel for further treatment.
On Wednesday, two militants, who were critically wounded in Syria, were reportedly evacuated to Israeli hospitals under the authorization of the Israeli military. One of them was pronounced dead several hours after being hospitalized with the other one in critical conditions.
The report clearly proves Israel's support for the militants fighting against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government.
Many people, including large numbers of Syrian army and security personnel, have lost their lives in over two years of turmoil that broke out in Syria in March 2011.
Damascus says the West and its regional allies including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are supporting the militants.
According to an AFP report, Israeli authorities confirmed the hospital was built at military outpost 105 in the occupied Syrian territories where injured militants fighting against Damascus are being treated near the Syrian border.
Reports further indicate that 11 anti-Damascus militants, who were wounded during the ongoing violence in Syria, have been sent to hospitals in northern Israel for treatment last month. Eight of them returned to Syria, while another three remained in Israel for further treatment.
On Wednesday, two militants, who were critically wounded in Syria, were reportedly evacuated to Israeli hospitals under the authorization of the Israeli military. One of them was pronounced dead several hours after being hospitalized with the other one in critical conditions.
The report clearly proves Israel's support for the militants fighting against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government.
Many people, including large numbers of Syrian army and security personnel, have lost their lives in over two years of turmoil that broke out in Syria in March 2011.
Damascus says the West and its regional allies including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are supporting the militants.
27 mar 2013
Action group: The Syrian regime forces killed nine Palestinians
The action group for the Palestinians in Syria said on Tuesday that nine Palestinian refugees were killed, most of them were tortured to death by the Syrian regime forces.
Projectile attacks on Jarmana refugee camp claimed the lives of a 13-year old boy named Mahmoud Mousa and a woman named Safa Ibrahim, according to the group.
Another refugee was also killed in attacks by the Syrian regime forces on Yalda town south of Damascus.
Six other refugees from the same family living in Artouz town on the outskirts of Damascus were reportedly tortured to death by Syrian interrogators in a security jail.
The action group also said that the Palestinian refugee camps are still exposed to daily projectile attacks and tight blockade by the Syrian regime forces.
Projectile attacks on Jarmana refugee camp claimed the lives of a 13-year old boy named Mahmoud Mousa and a woman named Safa Ibrahim, according to the group.
Another refugee was also killed in attacks by the Syrian regime forces on Yalda town south of Damascus.
Six other refugees from the same family living in Artouz town on the outskirts of Damascus were reportedly tortured to death by Syrian interrogators in a security jail.
The action group also said that the Palestinian refugee camps are still exposed to daily projectile attacks and tight blockade by the Syrian regime forces.
26 mar 2013
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Israel gets Turkey on board to destroy Syria: Dr. Kevin Barrett
A political analyst tells Press TV that the real reason that Israel wants to make friends with Turkey is to get Turkey fully on board with the Israeli plan to destroy Syria. The comments came after Israeli President Shimon Peres said Israel has a thousand reasons to be friends with Turkey, expressing his satisfaction with the resumption of relations with Ankara. Peres stated that somehow both Israel and Turkey "wanted to put an end to this misunderstanding and return to the good relations that have existed between Turkey and ourselves for many good years." Press TV has conducted an interview with Dr. Kevin Barrett, author and political commentator, to further discuss the issue. |
24 mar 2013
IDF fires at Syrian military post
IDF uses Tamuz missile
Tensions continue to escalate on northern border as IDF fires Tamuz missile at military post after Syrians fire bullets at foot patrol. On Saturday Syrians fired bullets at IDF jeep.
The IDF opened fire at a Syrian military post on Sunday after the Syrians opened fire at IDF soldiers. The IDF used a Tamuz anti-tank guided missile at a Syrian post in the Tel Fares area in the southern Golan Heights. There were no casualties on the Israeli side. The Syrian post was destroyed and two armed Syrians were wounded.
Following the incident, construction of the northern border fence was halted. Army presence in the area has been increased with the IDF on high alert.
The Tamuz missile was fired by the Artillery Corp's Meytar unit. The troops that carried out the missile fire were friends and comrades in arms of the soldiers wh were fired at on Saturday night.
Speaking of the recent escalation Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said: "We take the firing (of bullets) at IDF forces in Israeli territory very seriously.
"In response the IDFreturned fire in line with the government policy: Any violation of Israeli sovereignty and fire from the Syrian side will be answered with the silencing of the source of fire. The Syrian regime is responsible for every breach of sovereignty," Ya'alon added.
An IDF jeep on patrol in the southern Golan Heights was hit by a bullet fired from Syria on Saturday. This time, it was an IDF foot patrol that was hit by Syrian bullets. The IDF responded with heavy artillery directed at the Syrian post where the bullets originated from. The IDF reported it was a direct hit. The post belongs to the Syrian army but the area is occupied by many Syrian rebels.
The incident occurred at around 9 pm at the Tel Fares region in the Golan Heights as a bullet hit an IDF jeep. The Northern Command said, "There were no injuries, minor damage was caused to the vehicle."
The heightened tensions on the Syrian border played a key role in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's decision to apologize to Turkey over the Marmara raid. In a Facebook post, Netanyahu explained that the situation in Syria warrants a reevaluation of Israel's relations with Turkey and noted that the presence of Global Jihad terrorists on the Syrian-Israel border in the Golan Heights "creates serious challenges for our defense establishment."
He further added, "It’s important that Turkey and Israel, which both share a border with Syria, are able to communicate with each other and this is also relevant to other regional challenges. In addition, the visit of US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Kerry created an opportunity to end the crisis."
"Syria is crumbling, and its massive stockpiles of advanced weapons are starting to fall into the hands of various elements. What we fear most is that terrorist groups will get their hands on chemical weapons."
Last Wednesday, four wounded Syrians arrived at Israel's border.
They were treated by the IDF near the border and two were taken to the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa on the orders of Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Benny Gantz . The other two will be returned to Syria.
The four were injured by mortar shells and are in moderate condition. Last month, seven Syrians hurt in clashes near the border were treated in Israel. They were returned to Syria after receiving treatment at a Safed hospital. The IDF stressed the incident does not pose a precedent or any change in Israel's policy toward Syria.
Israeli forces fire rockets at Syrian army near Golan Heights
Israeli forces have fire rockets at the Syrian army across from the occupied Golan Heights, an Israeli military official says.
The Israeli military said its troops were fired upon in the Golan Heights on Sunday.
The Israeli soldiers responded with “accurate fire toward the Syrian post from which they were fired upon,” said an Israeli military spokesman speaking on condition of anonymity, Xinhua news agency reported.
Earlier on the day, Israel’s new Minister for Military Affairs Moshe Yaalon warned through a statement that Tel Aviv will hit back at Syria “immediately” if any gunfire targets the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Israel seized the Golan from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed it in 1981, in a move never recognized by the international community.
Tensions continue to escalate on northern border as IDF fires Tamuz missile at military post after Syrians fire bullets at foot patrol. On Saturday Syrians fired bullets at IDF jeep.
The IDF opened fire at a Syrian military post on Sunday after the Syrians opened fire at IDF soldiers. The IDF used a Tamuz anti-tank guided missile at a Syrian post in the Tel Fares area in the southern Golan Heights. There were no casualties on the Israeli side. The Syrian post was destroyed and two armed Syrians were wounded.
Following the incident, construction of the northern border fence was halted. Army presence in the area has been increased with the IDF on high alert.
The Tamuz missile was fired by the Artillery Corp's Meytar unit. The troops that carried out the missile fire were friends and comrades in arms of the soldiers wh were fired at on Saturday night.
Speaking of the recent escalation Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said: "We take the firing (of bullets) at IDF forces in Israeli territory very seriously.
"In response the IDFreturned fire in line with the government policy: Any violation of Israeli sovereignty and fire from the Syrian side will be answered with the silencing of the source of fire. The Syrian regime is responsible for every breach of sovereignty," Ya'alon added.
An IDF jeep on patrol in the southern Golan Heights was hit by a bullet fired from Syria on Saturday. This time, it was an IDF foot patrol that was hit by Syrian bullets. The IDF responded with heavy artillery directed at the Syrian post where the bullets originated from. The IDF reported it was a direct hit. The post belongs to the Syrian army but the area is occupied by many Syrian rebels.
The incident occurred at around 9 pm at the Tel Fares region in the Golan Heights as a bullet hit an IDF jeep. The Northern Command said, "There were no injuries, minor damage was caused to the vehicle."
The heightened tensions on the Syrian border played a key role in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's decision to apologize to Turkey over the Marmara raid. In a Facebook post, Netanyahu explained that the situation in Syria warrants a reevaluation of Israel's relations with Turkey and noted that the presence of Global Jihad terrorists on the Syrian-Israel border in the Golan Heights "creates serious challenges for our defense establishment."
He further added, "It’s important that Turkey and Israel, which both share a border with Syria, are able to communicate with each other and this is also relevant to other regional challenges. In addition, the visit of US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Kerry created an opportunity to end the crisis."
"Syria is crumbling, and its massive stockpiles of advanced weapons are starting to fall into the hands of various elements. What we fear most is that terrorist groups will get their hands on chemical weapons."
Last Wednesday, four wounded Syrians arrived at Israel's border.
They were treated by the IDF near the border and two were taken to the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa on the orders of Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Benny Gantz . The other two will be returned to Syria.
The four were injured by mortar shells and are in moderate condition. Last month, seven Syrians hurt in clashes near the border were treated in Israel. They were returned to Syria after receiving treatment at a Safed hospital. The IDF stressed the incident does not pose a precedent or any change in Israel's policy toward Syria.
Israeli forces fire rockets at Syrian army near Golan Heights
Israeli forces have fire rockets at the Syrian army across from the occupied Golan Heights, an Israeli military official says.
The Israeli military said its troops were fired upon in the Golan Heights on Sunday.
The Israeli soldiers responded with “accurate fire toward the Syrian post from which they were fired upon,” said an Israeli military spokesman speaking on condition of anonymity, Xinhua news agency reported.
Earlier on the day, Israel’s new Minister for Military Affairs Moshe Yaalon warned through a statement that Tel Aviv will hit back at Syria “immediately” if any gunfire targets the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Israel seized the Golan from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed it in 1981, in a move never recognized by the international community.
23 mar 2013
Action group: 1130 Palestinians killed in Syria
The action group for Palestinians in Syria has documented the names of 1130 Palestinian refugees who were killed in Syria since March 2011 in the ongoing violence in that war-torn Arab country.
It said in a statement on Saturday that three Palestinians were killed over the past 24 hours as shelling continued on Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus and Aydoon refugee camp in Homs.
The group said that Husseiniya refugee camp was under tight siege while inhabitants of Hindarat refugee camp warned of a humanitarian disaster as most basic food supplies were unavailable.
It said in a statement on Saturday that three Palestinians were killed over the past 24 hours as shelling continued on Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus and Aydoon refugee camp in Homs.
The group said that Husseiniya refugee camp was under tight siege while inhabitants of Hindarat refugee camp warned of a humanitarian disaster as most basic food supplies were unavailable.
IDF jeep hit by Syrian bullet near border; no injuries
Jeep on patrol in Tel Fares area hit by bullet fired from Syria. Incident under investigation, army says.
An IDF jeep on patrol in the southern Golan Heights was hit by a bullet fired from Syria on Saturday. There were no injuries. The IDF's Spokesperson's Unit said the incident is being investigated. It remains unclear whether it was another case of stray fire. The incident occurred at around 9 pm at the Tel Fares region in the Golan Heights as a bullet hit an IDF jeep. The Northern Command said, "There were no injuries, minor damage was caused to the vehicle."
The heightened tensions on the Syrian border played a key role in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to apologize to Turkey over the Marmara raid.
In a Facebook post, Netanyahu explained that the situation in Syria warrants a reevaluation of Israel's relations with Turkey and noted that the presence of Global Jihad terrorists on the Syrian-Israel border in the Golan Heights "creates serious challenges for our defense establishment."
He further added, "It’s important that Turkey and Israel, which both share a border with Syria, are able to communicate with each other and this is also relevant to other regional challenges. In addition, the visit of US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Kerry created an opportunity to end the crisis."
"Syria is crumbling, and its massive stockpiles of advanced weapons are starting to fall into the hands of various elements. What we fear most is that terrorist groups will get their hands on chemical weapons."
Last Wednesday, four wounded Syrians arrived at Israel's border.
They were treated by the IDF near the border and two were taken to the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa on the orders of Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Benny Gantz.
The other two will be returned to Syria.
The four were injured by mortar shells and are in moderate condition. Last month, seven Syrians hurt in clashes near the border were treated in Israel. They were returned to Syria after receiving treatment at a Safed hospital. The IDF stressed the incident does not pose a precedent or any change in Israel's policy toward Syria.
An IDF jeep on patrol in the southern Golan Heights was hit by a bullet fired from Syria on Saturday. There were no injuries. The IDF's Spokesperson's Unit said the incident is being investigated. It remains unclear whether it was another case of stray fire. The incident occurred at around 9 pm at the Tel Fares region in the Golan Heights as a bullet hit an IDF jeep. The Northern Command said, "There were no injuries, minor damage was caused to the vehicle."
The heightened tensions on the Syrian border played a key role in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to apologize to Turkey over the Marmara raid.
In a Facebook post, Netanyahu explained that the situation in Syria warrants a reevaluation of Israel's relations with Turkey and noted that the presence of Global Jihad terrorists on the Syrian-Israel border in the Golan Heights "creates serious challenges for our defense establishment."
He further added, "It’s important that Turkey and Israel, which both share a border with Syria, are able to communicate with each other and this is also relevant to other regional challenges. In addition, the visit of US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Kerry created an opportunity to end the crisis."
"Syria is crumbling, and its massive stockpiles of advanced weapons are starting to fall into the hands of various elements. What we fear most is that terrorist groups will get their hands on chemical weapons."
Last Wednesday, four wounded Syrians arrived at Israel's border.
They were treated by the IDF near the border and two were taken to the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa on the orders of Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Benny Gantz.
The other two will be returned to Syria.
The four were injured by mortar shells and are in moderate condition. Last month, seven Syrians hurt in clashes near the border were treated in Israel. They were returned to Syria after receiving treatment at a Safed hospital. The IDF stressed the incident does not pose a precedent or any change in Israel's policy toward Syria.
21 mar 2013
Demanding an international investigation into an alleged chemical weapons attack
Syria's government and rebels on Wednesday both demanded an international investigation into an alleged chemical weapons attack, as the country's feared arsenal became the latest propaganda tool in the 2-year-old civil war. President Barack Obama said the United States is investigating whether chemical weapons have been deployed in Syria, but noted that he is "deeply skeptical" of claims by President Bashar Assad's regime that rebel forces were behind such an attack.
"Once we establish the facts, I have made clear that the use of chemical weapons is a game changer," Obama said in a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
The use of chemical weapons by either side is a nightmare scenario. Along with its warnings about Assad, the West is just as concerned that rebel forces, including some linked to al-Qaida, could get their hands on Syria's chemical weapons supplies.
Despite the importance, any clear confirmation of the nature of the attack that took place Tuesday in the northern village of Khan al-Assal, killing at least 31 people, is unlikely. Syria's government seals off areas it controls to journalists and outside observers.
The two sides blamed each other for a chemical attack without offering clear proof or documentation, as has frequently been the case in the Syrian civil war.
If confirmed, it would be the first time a chemical weapon has been used in Syria's war that has already killed an estimated 70,000 people.
Syria's U.N. Ambassador Bashar Jaafari told reporters at the United Nations Wednesday that he had asked U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to form "a specialized, independent and neutral technical mission to investigate the use by the terrorist groups operating in Syria of chemical weapons" in Khan al-Assal.
Jaafari called the attack "very serious and alarming and unacceptable and unethical."
U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said he would have something to say "once we receive any formal request, which we have so far not received." He said the secretary-general remains convinced that the use of chemical weapons by any party under any circumstances would constitute "an outrageous crime."
Syria's main opposition group also demanded an international investigation.
"All evidence now indicates that the Assad regime is using these weapons against its own people," the main Western-backed opposition group, the Syrian National Coalition, said.
"The Coalition demands a full international investigation, and asks for a delegation to be sent to inquire and visit the site," the group said in a statement.
Obama has declared the use, deployment or transfer of the weapons to be his "red line" for possible military intervention in the Arab country.
"When you start seeing weapons that can cause potential devastation and mass casualties and you let that genie out of the bottle, then you are looking at potentially even more horrific scenes than we've already seen in Syria," Obama said in Jerusalem, "and the international community has to act on that information."
Russia and Iran, Assad's main allies, backed his regime's charges.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast blamed "armed opposition groups," calling use of chemical weapons "an inhuman act."
"Undoubtedly, the responsibilities of a repetition of such crimes would fall on those committing it and the countries that support them," he was quoted by state TV as saying, apparently referring to Gulf states such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia
"There's definitely a propaganda war between the regime and opposition," said Ayham Kamel, a Middle East analyst at the Eurasia Group in London.
"Because we cannot verify either claims, we are going to be stuck in the same cycle of accusations, unless some international mission is actually sent there to verify what happened," he said.
Jordan's king warned Wednesday that an extremist Islamic state could form on his border.
King Abdullah II told The Associated Press in an interview that in his view, Assad was beyond rehabilitation, and it was only a matter of time before his authoritarian regime collapses.
"The most worrying factors in the Syrian conflict are the issues of chemical weapons, the steady flow or sudden surge in refugees and a jihadist state emerging out of the conflict," the king said.
The opposition's disunity was on display again Wednesday.
About a dozen members of the Syrian National Coalition suspended their membership a day after it elected the first rebel prime minister.
Among them were senior members including Suheir Atassi, Kamal Labwani, and spokesman Waleed al-Bunni.
Atassi said explained why she suspended her membership. "I refuse to be a follower and I refuse to be simply a woman who decorates their gatherings and conferences while they make all the decisions," she wrote on her Facebook page.
Coalition members have complained of the dominance of the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood in the SNC, and Hitto was one of the top Brotherhood candidates.
In fighting Wednesday, activists reported intense clashes in the Quneitra region on the cease-fire line between Syria and Israel in the Golan Heights.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said rebels seized control of parts of villages a few kilometers (miles) from the cease-fire line after fierce fighting with regime forces.
It said seven people, including three children, were killed by government shelling villages.
Activists on Facebook pages affiliated with rebels in Quneitra announced the start of the operation to "break the siege on Quneitra and Damascus' western suburbs."
The fall of Quneitra in rebel hands would be significant because it is close to the Israeli frontier.
Israel has said its policy is not to get involved in the Syrian civil war, but it has retaliated to sporadic Syrian fire that has spilled over into Israeli communities in the Golan Heights.
Also Wednesday, Assad made a rare public appearance, visiting a fine arts school in Damascus and meeting the parents of students who were killed in the civil war, state TV reported.
Photos run by the Syrian state media showed Assad shaking hands and listening closely to people who were said to be parents of war victims. It was his first appearance outside his palace since January, when he delivered a speech.
"All of Syria is wounded, and there is no one who hasn't lost a relative, a brother, a father or a mother," Assad said, according to the official news agency SANA.
"However, all that is happening cannot make us weak, and the battle is a battle of will and steadfastness," he added.
"Once we establish the facts, I have made clear that the use of chemical weapons is a game changer," Obama said in a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
The use of chemical weapons by either side is a nightmare scenario. Along with its warnings about Assad, the West is just as concerned that rebel forces, including some linked to al-Qaida, could get their hands on Syria's chemical weapons supplies.
Despite the importance, any clear confirmation of the nature of the attack that took place Tuesday in the northern village of Khan al-Assal, killing at least 31 people, is unlikely. Syria's government seals off areas it controls to journalists and outside observers.
The two sides blamed each other for a chemical attack without offering clear proof or documentation, as has frequently been the case in the Syrian civil war.
If confirmed, it would be the first time a chemical weapon has been used in Syria's war that has already killed an estimated 70,000 people.
Syria's U.N. Ambassador Bashar Jaafari told reporters at the United Nations Wednesday that he had asked U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to form "a specialized, independent and neutral technical mission to investigate the use by the terrorist groups operating in Syria of chemical weapons" in Khan al-Assal.
Jaafari called the attack "very serious and alarming and unacceptable and unethical."
U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said he would have something to say "once we receive any formal request, which we have so far not received." He said the secretary-general remains convinced that the use of chemical weapons by any party under any circumstances would constitute "an outrageous crime."
Syria's main opposition group also demanded an international investigation.
"All evidence now indicates that the Assad regime is using these weapons against its own people," the main Western-backed opposition group, the Syrian National Coalition, said.
"The Coalition demands a full international investigation, and asks for a delegation to be sent to inquire and visit the site," the group said in a statement.
Obama has declared the use, deployment or transfer of the weapons to be his "red line" for possible military intervention in the Arab country.
"When you start seeing weapons that can cause potential devastation and mass casualties and you let that genie out of the bottle, then you are looking at potentially even more horrific scenes than we've already seen in Syria," Obama said in Jerusalem, "and the international community has to act on that information."
Russia and Iran, Assad's main allies, backed his regime's charges.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast blamed "armed opposition groups," calling use of chemical weapons "an inhuman act."
"Undoubtedly, the responsibilities of a repetition of such crimes would fall on those committing it and the countries that support them," he was quoted by state TV as saying, apparently referring to Gulf states such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia
"There's definitely a propaganda war between the regime and opposition," said Ayham Kamel, a Middle East analyst at the Eurasia Group in London.
"Because we cannot verify either claims, we are going to be stuck in the same cycle of accusations, unless some international mission is actually sent there to verify what happened," he said.
Jordan's king warned Wednesday that an extremist Islamic state could form on his border.
King Abdullah II told The Associated Press in an interview that in his view, Assad was beyond rehabilitation, and it was only a matter of time before his authoritarian regime collapses.
"The most worrying factors in the Syrian conflict are the issues of chemical weapons, the steady flow or sudden surge in refugees and a jihadist state emerging out of the conflict," the king said.
The opposition's disunity was on display again Wednesday.
About a dozen members of the Syrian National Coalition suspended their membership a day after it elected the first rebel prime minister.
Among them were senior members including Suheir Atassi, Kamal Labwani, and spokesman Waleed al-Bunni.
Atassi said explained why she suspended her membership. "I refuse to be a follower and I refuse to be simply a woman who decorates their gatherings and conferences while they make all the decisions," she wrote on her Facebook page.
Coalition members have complained of the dominance of the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood in the SNC, and Hitto was one of the top Brotherhood candidates.
In fighting Wednesday, activists reported intense clashes in the Quneitra region on the cease-fire line between Syria and Israel in the Golan Heights.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said rebels seized control of parts of villages a few kilometers (miles) from the cease-fire line after fierce fighting with regime forces.
It said seven people, including three children, were killed by government shelling villages.
Activists on Facebook pages affiliated with rebels in Quneitra announced the start of the operation to "break the siege on Quneitra and Damascus' western suburbs."
The fall of Quneitra in rebel hands would be significant because it is close to the Israeli frontier.
Israel has said its policy is not to get involved in the Syrian civil war, but it has retaliated to sporadic Syrian fire that has spilled over into Israeli communities in the Golan Heights.
Also Wednesday, Assad made a rare public appearance, visiting a fine arts school in Damascus and meeting the parents of students who were killed in the civil war, state TV reported.
Photos run by the Syrian state media showed Assad shaking hands and listening closely to people who were said to be parents of war victims. It was his first appearance outside his palace since January, when he delivered a speech.
"All of Syria is wounded, and there is no one who hasn't lost a relative, a brother, a father or a mother," Assad said, according to the official news agency SANA.
"However, all that is happening cannot make us weak, and the battle is a battle of will and steadfastness," he added.
20 mar 2013
14 Palestinian refugees killed in Syria's camps within 24 hours
Fourteen Palestinian refugees died in the bombing that targeted the Palestinian refugee camps in Syria, near the capital Damascus, within the past twenty-four hours.
The Working group for Palestinians in Syria reported in a press release on Wednesday that two Palestinians and a Syrian citizen were killed during the shelling of Orouba neighborhood in the Yarmouk refugee camp, in southern Damascus, while another refugee died in shelling of the entrance to the camp on Wednesday morning.
The Working Group added that another young man died from wounds he sustained few days ago and that seven Palestinians were killed by the bombing of the town of al-Dhobabiya and the Husseiniya camp on the fringes of Damascus.
The sources also reported that two Palestinian women died from wounds they sustained during attacks and that a Palestinian youth from the residents of Khan Eshieh refugee camp was killed during clashes in the vicinity of Khan Danon camp.
The Working Group noted that the camps of Yarmouk, Husseiniya, Ramdan, Khan Eshieh, Sbeineh and Neirab have been exposed to heavy shelling.
The Working group for Palestinians in Syria reported in a press release on Wednesday that two Palestinians and a Syrian citizen were killed during the shelling of Orouba neighborhood in the Yarmouk refugee camp, in southern Damascus, while another refugee died in shelling of the entrance to the camp on Wednesday morning.
The Working Group added that another young man died from wounds he sustained few days ago and that seven Palestinians were killed by the bombing of the town of al-Dhobabiya and the Husseiniya camp on the fringes of Damascus.
The sources also reported that two Palestinian women died from wounds they sustained during attacks and that a Palestinian youth from the residents of Khan Eshieh refugee camp was killed during clashes in the vicinity of Khan Danon camp.
The Working Group noted that the camps of Yarmouk, Husseiniya, Ramdan, Khan Eshieh, Sbeineh and Neirab have been exposed to heavy shelling.
