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Zeina Karam

Free Syrian Army fighters pray in Idlib, north Syria, Thursday, March 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Syria opposition chief rejects talks

Last updated Friday, March 9, 2012 - 10:28am

BEIRUT -- The leader of Syria's main opposition group rejected calls Friday by U.N. envoy Kofi Annan for dialogue with President Bashar Assad's government, saying they were pointless and unrealistic as the regime massacres its own people.

Assad, Syria, Syrian violence, United Nations, International Read more Comments

In this Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, flames rise from a house from Syrian government shelling, at Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs province, Syria. A French photojournalist and a prominent American war correspondent working for a British newspaper were killed Wednesday as Syrian forces intensely shelled the opposition stronghold of Homs. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

Crisis in Syrian city deepens

Zeina Karam The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 10:39am

BEIRUT -- Warnings from Syrian activists of a humanitarian catastrophe in Homs grew more desperate Thursday as government forces resumed shelling an opposition stronghold in the restive central city, where hundreds have died in a weekslong siege.

Arab Protests, Middle East, Syria Government, Syrian violence, International Read more Comments

In this Monday, Feb. 20, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, houses are seen destroyed from Syrian government forces shelling, at Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs province, Syria. An opposition group says several people have been killed in heavy shelling of a district in central Syria a day after the army sent reinforcements ahead of a possible ground assault. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

Red Cross calls for cease-fire in Syria

Frank Jordans, Zeina Karam The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, February 21, 2012 - 10:57am

BEIRUT -- The Red Cross called Tuesday for a daily two-hour cease-fire in Syria so that it can deliver emergency aid and reach people who are wounded or sick, an appeal that came as government troops heavily shelled rebellious districts in the resistance stronghold of Homs, killing at least 16 people.

Arab Protests, Red Cross, Syrian violence, International Read more Comments

Syrian forces fire on funeral in Damascus, kill 1

Zeina Karam The Associated Press

Last updated Saturday, February 18, 2012 - 8:04am

BEIRUT -- Syrian security forces fired live rounds and tear gas at thousands of people marching Saturday in a funeral procession that turned into a protest in Damascus, killing at least one person, activists said. It was one of the largest demonstrations in the capital since the 11-month-old uprising against President Bashar Assad began.

Arab Protests, Assad, Funeral, Syrian Government, Syrian violence, International Read more Comments

This image taken from video filmed over the past several days by an independent cameraman and made available Tuesday Feb. 7, 2012 a member of the group that calls itself Free Syrian Army firing a gun in Homs, Syria. The bombardment of Homs, the hot bed of the resistance to President Bashar Assad's regime, has intensified over recent days, after Syria's allies Russia and China vetoed a Western and Arab-backed resolution at the United Nations that would have condemned the Assad regime's crackdown on dissent and called on him to transfer some of his powers to his deputy. (AP Photo/APTN)

Violence escalates in Syria

Zeina Karam The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, February 7, 2012 - 10:20am

BEIRUT -- Syrian forces renewed their assault on the flashpoint city of Homs on Tuesday as Russia's foreign minister held talks in Damascus with President Bashar Assad about the country's escalating violence.

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(The Associated Press) In this citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and released Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, an anti-Syrian regime protester, holds a poster with caricature depicting the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, left, and Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 2nd left, pumping up their ally Syrian President Bashar Assad, centre, as she walks during a demonstration in Idlib Province, north Syria. Russia’s deputy defense minister says Moscow will not stop arms sales to Syria. Russian state news agencies quoted Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov on Thursday as saying Russia is not violating any international obligations. Arabic on the poster reads, “free people of occupied Kfarnebel.”

Syrian activists: 200 dead in government assault

Zeina Karam The Associated Press

Last updated Saturday, February 4, 2012 - 4:46pm

BEIRUT — In a barrage of mortar shells, Syrian forces killed 200 people and wounded hundreds in Homs in an offensive that appears to be the bloodiest episode in the nearly 11-month-old uprising, activists said Saturday.

Activists, Arab Protests, Middle East, Protest, United Nations, International Read more Comments

200 dead in Syrian government assault

Zeina Karam The Associated Press

Last updated Saturday, February 4, 2012 - 9:02am

BEIRUT -- Syrian forces unleashed a barrage of mortars and artillery on the battered city of Homs for hours before dawn on Saturday, sending terrified residents fleeing into basements and killing more than 200 people in what appeared to be the bloodiest episode in the nearly 11-month-old uprising, activists said.

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This citizen journalism image provide by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and released early Friday Jan. 27, 2012, purports to show a Syrian man, right, mourning over the dead body of his son, who was shot by the Syrian forces, in Idlib province, Syria, on Thursday Jan. 26, 2012. A "terrifying massacre" in the restive Syrian city of Homs has killed more than 30 people, including small children, in a barrage of mortar fire and attacks by armed forces loyal to President Bashar Assad, activists said Friday. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO SALES, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

Women, children killed in violence-torn Syria city

Zeina Karam The Associated Press

Last updated Friday, January 27, 2012 - 10:58am

BEIRUT -- Fresh violence erupted Friday in the besieged Syrian city of Homs, a day after armed forces loyal to President Bashar Assad barraged residential buildings with mortars and machine-gun fire, killing at least 30 people including a family of women and children, activists said Friday.

Arab Protests, Syria, Syrian violence, International Read more Comments

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar Assad delivers a speech at Damascus University, in Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012. Assad said Tuesday he will not step down, insisting that he still has his people's support despite a 10-month-old uprising against him. In his fourth speech since the Syrian revolt began in March, Assad also lashed out at the Arab League and accused the Cairo-based bloc of failing to protect Arab interests. The president has made few public appearances since the anti-government uprising began in March, inspired by the revolutions sweeping the Arab world. The regime's crackdown on dissent has killed thousands and led to international isolation and sanctions. (AP Photo/SANA)

Syrian troops kill 10 in eastern city

Zeina Karam The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - 10:29am

BEIRUT -- Activists say Syrian security forces have shot dead at least 10 people in an eastern city despite the presence of an Arab observer mission in the area.

Arab Protests, Middle East, Syria, Syrian violence, International Read more Comments

Members of Syrian security are seen at the site of a suicide bombing in Damascus, Syria, Friday, Dec. 23, 2011. A Syrian military official says the death toll from twin suicide car bombings in Damascus is now more dozens. The military official says more than a hundred people were wounded in the explosions targeting security and intelligence headquarters in the Syrian capital. (AP Photo/Muzaffar Salman)

Suicide bombers hit Syrian capital, 40 dead

Albert Aji, Zeina Karam The Associated Press

Last updated Friday, December 23, 2011 - 2:07pm

DAMASCUS, Syria -- Twin suicide car bomb blasts ripped through an upscale Damascus district Friday, targeting heavily guarded intelligence buildings and killing at least 40 people, Syrian authorities said.

Bombings, Car bomb, Suicide bomber, Syria, Terrorism, International Read more Comments

Syria on the brink of civil war

Zeina Karam The Associated Press

Last updated Sunday, December 18, 2011 - 12:06pm

BEIRUT -- Armed clashes erupted in Syria Sunday, killing at least 15 civilians and six government troops, activists said. Isolated and faced with a possible civil war, Syria appeared to be bending toward allowing Arab League observers in as a step toward ending the conflict.

Arab Protests, Middle East, Syria, International Read more Comments

Protester chant slogans during an anti-Syrian regime protest in front of the Arab league headquarters in Cairo, Egypt Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. Over 100 people protested outside the Arab League's Cairo headquarters where foreign ministers met Wednesday, waving the tri-colored Syrian flag and chanting slogans against Assad. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Syrian troops fire during protests; 7 killed

Zeina Karam The Associated Press

Last updated Friday, November 4, 2011 - 9:23am

BEIRUT -- Syrian security forces killed at least seven people Friday after thousands of protesters took to the streets, charging that President Bashar Assad never intended to abide by an Arab League plan to end violence, activists said.

Arab Protests, Middle East, Protests, Syria, International Read more Comments

Syrian security forces fire on funeral

Zeina Karam The Associated Press

Last updated Saturday, October 8, 2011 - 9:48am

BEIRUT -- Security forces opened fire on tens of thousands of mourners who turned out Saturday for the funeral of a slain Kurdish opposition leader in northeastern Syria, killing at least two people, eyewitnesses said.

Middle East, Syria, International Read more Comments

In this citizen journalism image made on a mobile phone and provided by Shaam News Network, anti-Syrian President Bashar Assad protesters march during a demonstration against the Syrian regime, at the Kurdish-Syrian village of Amouda, in Kamishli province, Syria, Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. Syrian security forces opened fire on protesters Friday as thousands rallied across the country to call for the downfall of President Bashar Assad's regime, activists said. Troops also clashed with armed anti-regime forces in central regions. The Arabic banner reads:"the Friday victory of our Damascus and our Yemen." (AP Photo/Shaam News Network)

Syria opposition launches national council

Zeina Karam The Associated Press

Last updated Monday, October 3, 2011 - 9:51am

BEIRUT -- Syrian dissidents on Sunday formally established a broad-based national council designed to overthrow President Bashar Assad's regime, which they accused of pushing the country to the brink of civil war. Syrians took to the streets in celebration, singing and dancing.

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In this photo taken on a government-organized tour, Syrian soldiers salute residents as they sit atop their armored personnel carrier on their way out of the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, Syria, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2011. State-run news agency SANA said army units began withdrawing from Deir el-Zour Tuesday after ridding the city of "armed terrorist gangs" in an operation that lasted several days. (AP Photo/Bassem Tellawi)

Violence continues in Syrian coastal city; 35 dead in 4 days

Zeina Karam The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, August 16, 2011 - 10:00am

BEIRUT -- Heavy machine-gun fire erupted across the besieged Syrian city of Latakia on Tuesday as the death toll rose to 35 from a military assault now in its fourth day, residents and activists said.

President Bashar Assad has dramatically escalated the crackdown on a 5-month-old uprising since the start of the holy month of Ramadan. Despite broad international condemnation, the regime has unleashed tanks, ground troops and snipers in an attempt to retake control in rebellious areas.

Arab Protests, Middle East, Syria, International Read more Comments