Persian Realm

Deadly bomb blast hits Syria city of Homs

A car bomb has killed at least 15 people in the Syrian city of Homs, the state-run Sana news agency reports.

At least 24 people were wounded in the blast which damaged homes in Al-Hamra district, Sana said. Video footage posted online showed flames and smoke.

Meanwhile the army is continuing to batter rebel-held districts of Damascus with airstrikes and heavy artillery.

Activists say about 40,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Assad began in March 2011.

More disruption to Syria flights

Airlines suspend flights to the Syrian capital Damascus for a second day after heavy clashes around the road to the city's airport.

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Syria's Internet Reportedly

Syria's Internet Reportedly Goes Down 

//www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/29/syria-internet-down_n_2211458.html

Internet 'cut off across Syria'

Internet 'cut off across Syria' (bbc)

The internet has been cut off and mobile phones have been disrupted in Syria, monitoring firms have said.

Networking firm Renesys said the country's connection protocols were unreachable, "effectively removing the country from the internet".

Local reports suggested that the internet had been down since early afternoon, and that telephone lines were only working intermittently.

The Syrian government has blamed "terrorists" for the disconnection.

'Fierce clashes' by Syria airport

The main Damascus airport road is closed and flights are cancelled amid reports of clashes, as internet and phone services go down across Syria.

Syria crisis: Is the balance of power shifting?

Shifting power in Syria crisis? (bbc, video)

At least 34 people are reported to have been killed and many injured by two car bomb explosions in a south-eastern district of Syria's capital, Damascus.

The attacks targeted a district loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and follow two weeks of military gains by rebel fighters in the north and east of the country.

Meanwhile, rebels claim to have bought down a government helicopter using a surface-to-air missile for the first time.

Residents are continuing to flee the most troubled parts of Syria, with the UN predicting that neighbouring countries will be sheltering around 700,000 registered refugees by the end of 2012.

Paul Wood reports. 

Syria rebels build momentum with tactical successes

Syrian rebels' tactical shift (bbc)

Over the past month, rebel forces in Syria have enjoyed tactical successes which analysts say demonstrate their growing ability to challenge the government's military dominance.

The rebels have displayed military strength and organisation in capturing several major military bases, seizing weaponry, disrupting supply lines, and forcing the military to pull back. 

Twin blasts shake Damascus suburb

Twin blasts shake Damascus suburb (bbc)

At least 34 people have been killed by two car bomb explosions in a south-eastern district of Syria's capital, Damascus, state media report.

Syria fighting leaves more than 150 dead

Syria fighting leaves more than 150 dead (cnn)

Istanbul, Turkey (CNN) -- One day after Syrian rebels accused government forces of a deadly bombing near a hospital in the besieged city of Aleppo, opposition groups said another 151 people had been killed in the fighting Thursday.

• NEW: By Thursday, another 76 people had been killed in the fighting, opposition groups say
• Rebels say a Syrian airstrike hits near Aleppo hospital
• Turkey requests Patriot missiles amid concern over "threats and risks" from Syrian crisis
• NATO says the missiles would demonstrate solidarity in the alliance

Syria rebels: Aleppo strike kills 40

Syria rebels: Aleppo strike kills 40 (cnn)

stanbul, Turkey (CNN) -- Syrian rebels and opposition groups accused government forces of bombing a building by a hospital late Wednesday in the besieged city of Aleppo, where at least 40 people died as the conflict rages on..

Fifteen people died in the strike on a building next to the Dar al-Shifa Hospital, including two children and a doctor, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based opposition group.

Ralib al-Omar, a leader of the Yusif al-Asma rebel group, said the strike had targeted the hospital and that the dead included two nurses.

The Local Coordination Committees of Syria, a network of opposition activists, also said a doctor was among the dead -- one of 40 people killed in Aleppo on Wednesday and 108 across the country, according to the group.

• NEW: The civil war has so far killed 42,392 people, an opposition group says
• NEW: Rebels say Syrian airstrike hits near Aleppo hospital; 40 dead across the city
• Turkey requests Patriot missiles amid concern over "threats and risks" from Syrian crisis
• NATO says the missiles would demonstrate solidarity in the alliance

Syria rebels 'capture key army base' in the east

Syrian rebels say they have captured a key army base near the city of Deir Ezzor, giving them control of a large swathe of eastern Syria.

Syrian rebels 'capture airport'

Syrian rebels say they have captured an airport near the Iraqi border, as France says it will install a new ambassador from the opposition.

What if Syria secured the

What if Syria secured the borders. Terrorists will be trapped and circled and circle could get tighter and tighter.

With so many people dead  in Syria, still some clowns say they worry about humanitarian issues.

I don't see an end to this tragedy because neither the sheep are wising up nor the wolves are losing their appetite.

Gulf states back Syria opposition

Gulf states back Syria opposition (bbc)

Six Gulf states recognise a new Syrian opposition coalition as the country's "legitimate representative", a day after factions united.

Christian activist to head Syrian National Council

Christian activist to head SNC (bbc)

Syria's main opposition group, the Syrian National Council, chooses a Christian as its leader amid tense talks in Qatar over the group's future.

Red Cross 'cannot cope' in Syria

Red Cross 'cannot cope' in Syria (bbc)

The Red Cross says it cannot cope with the worsening situation in Syria, as opposition groups debate plans to unite under a new leadership.

Syria opposition looks to unify

Syria opposition looks to unify (cnn)

CNN's Mohammed Jamjoom reports on efforts to unify the rebellion in Syria. 

Syria government strongholds hit

Syria government strongholds hit (bbc)

Syrian rebels carry out fresh attacks on government facilities and strongholds in the capital, Damascus, in what is seen as a significant escalation.

Damascus rocked by deadly blasts

Damascus rocked by deadly blasts (bbc)

A spate of bomb attacks rocks the Syrian capital Damascus leaving several people dead, activists say, as violence continues across the country.

7 Syrian generals defect to Turkey

7 Syrian generals defect to Turkey (cnn)

Syrian opposition: Over 150 killed in a day

Syrian opposition: Over 150 killed in a day (cnn)

• NEW: 162 are dead in Syria, including 32 in a "massacre" in Idlib province, opposition says
• Opposition activists say a suicide bomber kills 50 Syrian soldiers
• A Russian diplomat rejects U.N.- Arab League envoy's call for transition-of-power resolution
• "If the priority is to save lives" in Syria, there is no need for such a resolution, diplomat says

I think you are wrong, SK

From the little I understand about geo-politics, Israelis had every reason to keep Assad in power. At least, with Assad they knew what they were up agianst.

Should the islamists take power in Syria, not only things will get worse for Israel, they will get worse for the entire region. 

Hate to say this but I prefer Assad n IRI standing up to Israel and maintaining the fragile regional balance rather than have islamists running wild.

PS. Even an atheist like myself cherishes the history, the history that started with Paul on the way to Damascus. I'd like to see it preserved.

God of Israel is very happy !

Divide and Rule !   Hooray .... 

Syrian opposition: Suicide bomb kills 50 Soldiers in Hama

Syrian opposition: Suicide bomb kills 50 (cnn)

(CNN) -- More than 130 people were killed in violence across Syria on Monday, opposition activists said, while Russia insisted a political solution was the only answer to end the bloodshed.

Here are the latest developments in the Syrian civil war:

Opposition: 50 regime soldiers killed at checkpoint

A suicide bomber killed at least 50 Syrian soldiers Monday at a checkpoint in Hama province, the opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

• NEW: Opposition activists say a suicide bomber kills 50 Syrian soldiers
• NEW: Monday death toll rises to 130 in violence nationwide
• Russian diplomat rejects U.N.- Arab League envoy's call for transition-of-power resolution
• "If the priority is to save lives" in Syria, there is no need for such a resolution, diplomat says

This suicide bombing marks the end of Syria

Truly sad. One can only wonder: "For Whom the Bell Tolls". 

PS. they may even regret Assad, no matter how dictatorial. 

Suicide bombing in central Syria

Suicide bombing in central Syria (bbc)

A number of people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack in central Syria, state media and activists say, as opposition figures meet in Qatar.

Why rebels want to take Syrian airbases

Why rebels want to take Syrian airbases (bbc, video)

Syrian opposition groups are preparing for a crucial meeting on Sunday in the Qatari capital, Doha, to discuss how to form a more united front.

The meeting could lead to a replacement for the Syrian National Council (SNC), the main opposition body in exile.

The SNC has been criticised as out of touch by rebel forces in Syria, and the opposition is also split ideologically.

The Doha talks come a day after rebels in northern Syria launched an offensive to try win control of a key airbase. 

Syria rebels 'capture oilfield'

Syria rebels 'capture oilfield' (bbc)

Syrian rebels have captured a key oilfield in eastern Deir Ezzor province, activists say, after a siege lasting several days.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights group said al-Ward fell after fierce fighting, although the reports have not been independently confirmed.

The Observatory said it was the first time the rebels had taken control of an oilfield.

The news came as various opposition groups met for crucial talks in Qatar. 

On the run with rebels in Syria