site.news_by_theme Bashar al-Assad
In long-awaited move, Obama recognizes Syrian rebels
President Barack Obama proclaimed Syria's newly reframed opposition as the "legitimate" representative of the nation's people Tuesday.
13 December 2012
Syria: from revolution to all-out war
Syria's uprising has shifted from popular street protests against President Bashar al-Assad to a full-fledged war, increasingly influenced by armed Islamists, in a far cry from the idealism of the Arab Spring.
11 December 2012
Clinton renews support of new Syrian opposition group
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton vowed fresh support Wednesday for a new coalition of Syrian opposition groups seeking to counter the Assad regime.
06 December 2012
'Strong warning' to Assad over chemical arms: Clinton
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday issued a "strong warning" to the regime of Bashar al-Assad over the potential use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people.
04 December 2012
'Friends of Syria' meet in Tokyo
Delegates from more than 60 countries gathered in Tokyo Friday, seeking to ramp up pressure on Bashar al-Assad's regime as the US moved towards recognising the newly-unified opposition as true leaders of Syria.
30 November 2012
US declares support for united Syrian opposition
The United States late Sunday declared its support for the united Syrian opposition after various groups opposed to the government of President Bashar al-Assad decided to come together following talks in Doha, Qatar.
12 November 2012
60 countries expected at Tokyo Syria meet
Japan said Friday around 150 delegates from some 60 countries are expected to attend an international conference in Tokyo this month aimed at pressuring the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
10 November 2012
Tokyo to host conference to boost Syria sanctions
Tokyo will host an international conference later this month aimed at increasing pressure on the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
05 November 2012
Syrian rebels 'buying arms from the regime'
The Syrian regime may be their sworn enemy, but rebels fighting to bring down President Bashar al-Assad say they pay hard cash to government agents for guns and bullets.
31 October 2012
Chavez backs Assad again, blames US for war
President Hugo Chavez vowed Tuesday to keep supporting Bashar al-Assad, calling him Syria's legitimate president and blaming the United States for the war that has raged on for nearly 19 months.
11 October 2012
Syrian activists to plead for more help to oust Assad
Syrian grassroots activists working to run field hospitals and repair fuel lines will Friday urge world leaders to do more to help a stricken people caught up in the battle to oust the Assad regime.
29 September 2012
Envoy says Syria worsening as Assad clings to power
Peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said Monday there is no end in sight for Syria's war as President Bashar al-Assad clings to power, while his forces reportedly pounded rebels, killing at least seven children.
25 September 2012
Syria aircraft pound rebels as they claim control
Regime aircraft hammered insurgent bastions nationwide on Sunday as rebels said they now control most of the country and have moved their command centre from Turkey to "liberated areas" inside Syria.
25 September 2012
Gulf states criticise Syria as more than 100 killed
Arab Gulf monarchies lambasted Syria's regime for deploying heavy weapons against its civilians, as over 100 people were killed in raids, bombings and air strikes according to a watchdog toll count.
03 September 2012
Russia says 'naive' to expect Assad to halt fire first
Russia said Saturday it would be "naive" for outside powers to expect Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to withdraw his troops first from major cities and then wait for the opposition to follow suit.
01 September 2012
Assad slams anti-Syria 'conspiracy' after massacre claims
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Sunday the foreign "conspiracy" against his country would be defeated, as his forces were accused of a bloody rampage in a town near Damascus that left hundreds dead.
27 August 2012
Assad vows to crush Syria rebellion
President Bashar al-Assad vowed on Tuesday to crush the 17-month rebellion against his regime and to cleanse Syria of "terrorists", as his troops engaged rebels in key battleground city Aleppo.
09 August 2012
Syria PM defects, accuses Assad regime of genocide
Syria's prime minister joined the rebels and accused President Bashar al-Assad of carrying out "genocide" against his own people, prompting Washington to say the regime was "crumbling".
08 August 2012
Assad says key battle afoot as UN says rebels have tanks
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday that the army was fighting for the nation's future as UN officials said the regime was using fighter jets against rebels armed with tanks.
02 August 2012
Foreigners join fight against 'apostate' Syria regime
In restive northwest Syria, the uprising has found an unlikely new partner in the struggle against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad: foreign Islamists who are joining the fight.
27 July 2012