Assad forces mull use of chemical weapons in Homs, opposition says

[luckytxn 2,264]

Opposition activists said they had received reports that the Syrian army had transferred a significant quantity of grenades and mortars containing chemical agents to a school building in Homs.

The opposition also reported that gas masks were being distributed to soldiers at roadblocks.

Homs has become the focal point of violent confrontations between insurgents and the country's military in recent days, and opposition figures are concerned that the moves could signal the regime's intention to use chemical weapons against its citizens.

News agencies reported over 130 killed in Syria on Thursday, as Bashar Assad's government intensified its crackdown on an expanding uprising against his regime.

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Demonstrations were reported on Thursday in Aleppo, Syria's second largest city, which had previously not seen large-scale protests against the government.

Meanwhile, an opposition website reported that an armored brigade of the Syrian military was headed toward the city of Zabadani, which has been held for the past ten days by the Free Syrian Army, the opposition's armed wing. The site speculated that the brigade would attempt to retake the city over the next two days.

Opposition sources said the ferocity of attacks by government forces against the cities of Homs, Idlib and Daraa had reached unprecedented levels of intensity over the past two days, with hospitals and clinics bombed and doctors arrested.

Syria's military has begun stockpiling chemical weapons and equipping its soldiers with gas masks near the city of Homs, opposition sources reported on Thursday.

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday said there was a need to continue to maintain pressure on Syria's government over its bloody crackdown on the country's opposition.

"Clearly what we are seeing on our television screens is completely unacceptable," Cameron told a news conference in Stockholm. "It really is appalling to see the destruction of Homs… It is quite clear that this is a regime that is hell-bent on killing, murdering and maiming its own citizens."

Cameron added that there was a need to "take the toughest response we can" against Syria.

Arab League foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday to discuss the organization's next steps on the crisis. The Arab League suspended its monitoring mission to Syria in late January due to the rising violence.

Approximately 6,000-7,000 people have died thus far in the 11-month uprising, which has become increasingly militarized in recent months.

[james&olya 1,121]

Opposition activists said they had received reports that the Syrian army had transferred a significant quantity of grenades and mortars containing chemical agents to a school building in Homs.

The opposition also reported that gas masks were being distributed to soldiers at roadblocks.

Homs has become the focal point of violent confrontations between insurgents and the country's military in recent days, and opposition figures are concerned that the moves could signal the regime's intention to use chemical weapons against its citizens.

News agencies reported over 130 killed in Syria on Thursday, as Bashar Assad's government intensified its crackdown on an expanding uprising against his regime.

More on Haaretz.com:

Israel to mull tax exemptions on donations to 'Zionist settlement'

Israeli fans beg PM to hold off Iran attack over Madonna show

U.S. religious leaders seek to bridge gap between Jews and Muslims

Demonstrations were reported on Thursday in Aleppo, Syria's second largest city, which had previously not seen large-scale protests against the government.

Meanwhile, an opposition website reported that an armored brigade of the Syrian military was headed toward the city of Zabadani, which has been held for the past ten days by the Free Syrian Army, the opposition's armed wing. The site speculated that the brigade would attempt to retake the city over the next two days.

Opposition sources said the ferocity of attacks by government forces against the cities of Homs, Idlib and Daraa had reached unprecedented levels of intensity over the past two days, with hospitals and clinics bombed and doctors arrested.

Syria's military has begun stockpiling chemical weapons and equipping its soldiers with gas masks near the city of Homs, opposition sources reported on Thursday.

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday said there was a need to continue to maintain pressure on Syria's government over its bloody crackdown on the country's opposition.

"Clearly what we are seeing on our television screens is completely unacceptable," Cameron told a news conference in Stockholm. "It really is appalling to see the destruction of Homs… It is quite clear that this is a regime that is hell-bent on killing, murdering and maiming its own citizens."

Cameron added that there was a need to "take the toughest response we can" against Syria.

Arab League foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday to discuss the organization's next steps on the crisis. The Arab League suspended its monitoring mission to Syria in late January due to the rising violence.

Approximately 6,000-7,000 people have died thus far in the 11-month uprising, which has become increasingly militarized in recent months.

Whatever we do, we need to let the Arab League take the lead! If they request help from outside the region then the UN should get involved and only then should the US have any involvement. We have yet to see just how disastrous our efforts in Iraq and elsewhere will turn out. What is happening there is horrendous but we need to be a little more humble in thinking that we can 'fix' whatever is wrong!

Edited February 10, 2012 by james&olya

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Iraq has oil and gas, Libya has oil, Afghanistan has gas, and Syria has nothing coming. You don't have oil and/or gas and your on your own.

[kytwell 179]

Iraq has oil and gas, Libya has oil, Afghanistan has gas, and Syria has nothing coming. You don't have oil and/or gas and your on your own.

But, maybe they have carbon credits?

Edited February 10, 2012 by kytwell

[AMP 54]

I agree with why_me, there will be no aid coming from the USA or UN. there is nothing of intreats for us, the Arab league will proabley do nothing, they will just ask UN for help. it's funny how people preach we are brothers under the Muslim religion but do nothing when it comes to terriony.

if Arabs wanted to help you would have seen lebonan, jordon, turkey, and other Arab nation attach or show a build up of forces, to imply their intensions to stop this civil war.

the only time Arabs will join forces is to destroy Israel or for terrorist activities.

Edited February 10, 2012 by AMP