Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — The opposition has reported the rebel capture of another Syrian town. Opposition sources said the Free Syrian Army attacked and seized Duma, a major suburb of Damascus, on Jan. 21. They said FSA units, comprised of Syrian Army deserters, overran positions of the regime of President Bashar Assad and captured […]
Special to WorldTribune.com GAZA CITY — The Hamas regime has pressed Khaled Masha’al to resign his leadership post. Hamas sources said the regime in the Gaza Strip succeeded in a campaign for Masha’al to resign as head of the movement’s political bureau. They said the 56-year-old Masha’al had already told the political bureau in late […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The State Department said it was examining the prospect of closing the U.S. embassy in Damascus and evacuating American staffers. The department said a final decision could be taken by next month. “While no decision has been made, we have serious concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Damascus,” the […]
Special to WorldTribune.com MOSCOW — Russia, defying a revolt against the regime of President Bashar Assad, plans to modernize a major naval facility in Syria. Officials said the Russian Navy has deployed hundreds of personnel to upgrade the Syrian port of Tartous. They said the project was meant to ensure that Tartous could accommodate all […]
Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — For the first time, rebels have claimed the takeover of a Syrian town. The Free Syrian Army is said to have captured Zabadani, a town along the Syrian border with Lebanon. The opposition said the Syrian Army agreed to withdraw from Zabadani, about 30 kilometers from Damascus, as part of […]
Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — The Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah has begun its first combat operations in Syria, the opposition said. Opposition sources said Hizbullah fighters launched Russian-origin BM-21 Grad rockets toward civilian protesters on Jan. 16. The sources said the Hizbullah rocket attack took place near Damascus amid Iranian threats to increase intervention in Syria. “The […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Qatar has become the first to call for foreign troop deployment in Syria. Qatar, deemed the leading supporter of the revolt against President Bashar Assad, has demanded that Arab League forces arrive in Syria to stop the bloodshed. Qatar’s Emir Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani said the Arab League must […]
Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — Syria’s rebel army, based in Turkey, has reported shortages in weapons and funds. The Free Syrian Army has urged Arab and other opponents of the regime of President Bashar Assad to rush aid to the rebel force. “If the FSA had greater capabilities the situation on the ground would be […]
Special to WorldTribune.com ANKARA — Turkey has reported the first seizure of an Iranian weapons shipment to Syria in 2012. Officials said four trucks loaded with Iranian military equipment were stopped and impounded in the border province of Kilis on Jan. 10. They said the equipment, destined for neighboring Syria, was sent to Turkish authorities […]
Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Jordan has been urged to establish a buffer zone along the kingdom’s border with Syria. Syrian opposition sources said the Hashemite kingdom has been considering a series of moves to help the revolt against President Bashar Assad. They said the most feasible proposal was for a safe haven zone for […]