U.S. State Dept.: Syrian rebels are once again on the offensive

U.S. State Dept.: Syrian rebels are once again on the offensive

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. intelligence community has assessed that Sunni rebels rebounded in Syria. Officials said the intelligence community has determined that the Sunni revolt reversed many of the gains of the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad in the spring of 2013. The officials said the rebels, including Saudi-financed militias linked […]

Alawites flee Syrian rebel offensive near Mediterranean: ‘Tremendous fear of atrocities’

Alawites flee Syrian rebel offensive near Mediterranean: ‘Tremendous fear of atrocities’

Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — Syria’s ruling Alawite minority has been evacuating villages amid a Sunni rebel offensive along the Mediterranean coast. Opposition sources said thousands of Alawites fled their communities along the Mediterranean Sea in August. The sources said the Alawites have flooded cities protected by the regime of President Bashar Assad, particularly the […]

Diplomat: Obama approved intelligence leaks on Israeli air strikes in Syria

Diplomat: Obama approved intelligence leaks on Israeli air strikes in Syria

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. intelligence community leaked information on Israeli air strikes on Syria, sources said. Diplomats said the administration of President Barack Obama has enabled the intelligence community to disclose Israeli military operations against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. They said the leaks included unreported Israeli air and naval […]

Report: U.S. officials say Israeli air strike hit Syrian arms depot on July 5

Report: U.S. officials say Israeli air strike hit Syrian arms depot on July 5

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Israel was said to have again attacked Syria. The United States determined that the Israel Air Force struck a Syrian military depot in the port of Latakia on July 5. Three U.S. officials told CNN that the attack targeted the P-800 Yakhont coastal defense system procured by the regime of […]

Syrian rebels target Assad’s coastal home with backing from Gulf states, Turkey

Syrian rebels target Assad’s coastal home with backing from Gulf states, Turkey

Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — Sunni rebels have launched an uncoordinated drive to capture the retreat of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Opposition sources said several Sunni militias have targeted the coastal city of Latakia, the home of Assad and leading members of the Alawite regime. They said the rebel offensive was fueled by Gulf Arab […]

Another ‘leading-from-behind-triumph’: Syria’s ‘nationalist’ disaster makes way for something worse

Another ‘leading-from-behind-triumph’: Syria’s ‘nationalist’ disaster makes way for something worse

Sol W. Sanders   Whatever develops out of the bloody, chaotic mess Syria has become, it is unlikely that the short-term outcome will be good or the long-term prospects much brighter. One has only to recall the dozens of post-World War II coups that preceded the arrival of the Assad/Alawite/Baathist dictatorship in 1970, a dictatorship […]

Syrian rebels now operating in Alawite heartland

Syrian rebels now operating in Alawite heartland

Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — For the first time, Sunni rebels are conducting operations in the heart of the Alawite stronghold in Syria. Opposition sources said Sunni rebels have deployed in Syria’s Latakia province, regarded as the coastal enclave of the ruling Alawite community. The sources said rebel militias were operating from several Sunni towns […]