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James Lawler Duggan / AFP - Getty Images
Free Syrian Army fighters take cover as they exchange fire with regime forces in the Salaheddin neighbourhood of Syria's northern city of Aleppo on Wednesday.
More foreign fighters claiming allegiance to al-Qaida have reportedly joined rebels in war-torn Aleppo, deepening the regional implications of the conflict in Syria.
According to Zeina Khodr, a journalist with news channel Al Jazeera, "Arab fighters from Saudi Arabia and Egypt who didn't want to be filmed" were operating in the city. Some reportedly claimed allegiance to al-Qaida.
Earlier this month, NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel witnessed al-Qaida units crossing the border from Turkey into Syria, raising fears that militant Islamists could use the civil war to establish a power base in the heart of the Middle East.
Russia warns Obama against' violation' of law over Syria
The 16-month Syria crisis has widened in recent weeks, with deadly sectarian clashes spreading over the border into Lebanon's coastal city of Tripoli.
At least 13 people have died and more than a hundred have been wounded in fighting this week between Lebanese Sunni Muslims and Alawites, including one in the early hours of Thursday.
NBC's Richard Engel answers your questions about Syria
Government troops and opposition forces have been fighting in Aleppo for a month after rebels took over several neighborhoods.
Machine guns operated by motorcycle brakes? Get a glimpse at the rebels fighting against Assad's forces in Syria's mountainous Jabal al-Zawiya area.
Human rights group Amnesty International on Wednesday artillery and mortar fire and airstrikes by President Bashar Assad's forces in the northern city are killing mostly civilians, including children.
Clashes over Syrian conflict in Lebanon leave 10 dead
Meanwhile, Syrian forces backed by tanks stormed Daraya, on the outskirts of Damascus, on Thursday after 24 hours of artillery and helicopter bombardment to drive out rebels, opposition sources told Reuters.
Goran Tomasevic / Reuters
After months of protests and violent crackdowns, a look back at the violence that has overtaken the country.
The bombardment killed at least 15 people and wounded 150 in Daraya, situated on the southwest edge of Damascus, the sources said.
Main players in Syria's civil war
Troops were conducting house to house raids in the conservative Sunni Muslim town and making their way to the town's centre, meeting light resistance from rebels who appear to have largely withdrawn from the area, activists in Damascus said.
Activists release amateur video reportedly showing the shelling of Aleppo by Syrian government forces while Japan confirms a war correspondent, Maya Yamamoto, was killed by gunfire in Syria. NBCNews.com's Dara Brown reports.
"They are using mortar bombs to clear each sector then they enter it, while moving towards the centre," said Abu Zeid, one of the activists. He was speaking by phone from an area adjacent to Daraya.
Other activists said the army was also shelling parts of the suburb from Qasioun, which overlooks Damascus, and from Republican Guard barracks situated near a hilltop presidential palace.
What a small car bomb looks like afterwards.Wrecked a shop and injured 3 soldiers at a checkpoint in north Weds twitter.com/Skytwitius/sta…
— Tim Marshall (@Skytwitius) August 23, 2012
Tim Marshall, a journalist with UK news channel Sky News, said he counted 32 explosions in the space of just one hour in the southern suburbs of Damascus early on Thursday.
Londoner against Londoner: UK fighters held journalist captive in Syria
Britain on Wednesday echoed the warnings of President Barack Obama that the use or threat of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime would force them "to revisit their approach".
A spokesman for U..K Prime Minister David Cameron said the "appalling situation that continues in Syria" had been the main focus of a telephone conversation between Obama and Cameron, according to a BBC report.
Another long night in Damascus.Heard 32 explosions between 0200 - 0300 from southern districts including Kfar Sousa.
— Tim Marshall (@Skytwitius) August 23, 2012
Obama on Monday threatened "enormous consequences" if his Syrian counterpart used chemical or biological arms or even moved them in a menacing way.
The president used some of his strongest language yet to warn Assad not to use chemical or biological weapons – after Syria acknowledged for the first time that it had such weapons and could use them if foreign countries attacked it.
Reuters contributed to this report.
As civil war rages on in Syria, there is growing concern over violence that is spreading to neighboring countries. NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin reports.
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Our only concern here should be the WMD's. Does anyone think that if al-qaida-backed "freedom fighters" prevail, these weapons won't be used on civilians in non-musim countries (primarily the west)?
And NATO is using those very countries money to actually support the insurgents who are toppling the government. If Syria's government falls it will become another safe-haven for Al-Quida just like Lybia has become.
Actually - total BS. In Libya, al Qaeda didn't win - it never got a foothold there b/c we helped the rebels, so they didn't need help from them. And in helping the rebels we gained clout, which we used to keep a lid on the worst extremists. Proof is that the election there was won by a progressive (by that neck of the woods' standard) democratic coalition.
Syria on the other hand might very well end up an al Qaeda stronghold - precisely b/c of misguided views like your's, which don't want us helping the Syrian rebels. News flash - they're in the middle of a shooting war with their lives on the line, so they're gonna turn for help wherever they can get it. I'm sure they'd rather get help from us, but if that doesn't arrive, then they'll accept it from literally anybody, and that includes al Qaeda - life and death choices make things simple.
Just saying...
They are looking for loot! Politics be damned.
Seriously, isn't there a simple solution to all this? Just allowing the opposition to compete against the incumbent for power? If they win, fine. If they don't, too bad; better luck next time. If the point is entrenched incumbency that prevents the opposition from winning power, let them demand term limits in their own constitution, with the backing of the international community, that is, if there is a groundswell of local support for such reform. If the opposition continues to lose, too bad; they should continue working hard. With time the majority of the population would grow tired of the incumbent party and vote for another. This process is happening in a number of developing countries and has brought political stability. This anti-state nonsense of always rushing to support power-hungry opposition leaders and rebels whose motives are hardly known doesn't make sense at all.
This provides even that much more rationale for the US and the rest of the west to stay out of this. As bad as Assad is, the alternative that is represented by these "rebels" is far worse. At least Assad is a secularist who allows everyone to worship however the chose. This is why Assad is fighting so hard to stay in power, he does not want the radical Islamists to get control of the country.
"Russia warns Obama against' violation' of law over Syria, whisper, whisper. We can take care of this after the U.S. Presidential election."
rebels equal terrors, my question to all the leaders here on this page who is supporting these rebels which equal to terrors, where they get the weapons and money from to fight a big army in Syria, it is agenda to give the country to the evil Muslim brotherhood, the media here is full of lies
The US government, which is spending trillions of public dollars on a war on terrorism, in Syria funds and supplies the prime terrorist organization, al-qaeda, which is allegedly responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks on US soil. What's wrong with this picture? Plenty. Enough to make the 9/11 victims and our forefathers roll in their graves.
I agree. Makes you wonder about our current govt. With certain members having a Muslem childhood and others ultra left in college, then, the Arab spring a huge success when they come into power, it's scary.
Al-Qiada also fought alongside the insurgents(a.k.a rebels) in Lybia to overthrow Ghadaffi who was also very tough on them... once these governments are gone they can operate and recruit at will.
our complainer and chief is to busy trying to become a martyr then running our country al-qaeda the enemies responsible for murdering the 9-11 victims are now Obama supporters, they are joining the ranks of Pelosi, and Reid on how to milk the U.S. taxpayers out of money
The Sunnis and @!$%#es have been fighting for centuries and they will continue fighting. Regardless the amount of Money the Western give the Rebels, the Terrorist will be the benefactors of that aid. If the Western Nations want to give money and arms to the Rebels that started this Civil War, they do so knowing they are arming Terrorist Groups that attack the Western Nations. Assad, love him or hate him, he kept a lid on the tribes in Syria. Assad will do whatever it takes to remain in power, even using Chemical Weapons. Any Western Nation aiding the Rebels will be forced into a confrontation with Russia, Chian and Iran. The U.S. should be protecting American interest in the region and not the internal Civil Wars in Syria. The Rebels (activist) started this Civil War and they should stop complaining about their causalities and expect others to support their causes. If they want the causalities to stop, they should stop the Civil War they started.
Ohhhhh, but Jewish terrorism in the MIddle East (and beyond) must be protected and that is why AmeriKKKa was put on this earth to do according to that Biblical 'Book of Fables' the ancient Hebrew translators of the Holy Scriptures from the Greek said the 'fable book said, the Greek V.2.0 translation actually said. OMG: Just one medium sized nuke and we rid the world of this Jewish curse, but the US' AIPAC owned and operated US pro-Israel US Congressinal whores and pimps have too much bribe money in an election year for the US politicians to 'Think straight!'
Well said JoeB, and ignore drivel from cowboys in Arizona! The difference in the centuries old tribal and clan warfare that you reference is that ever since the 1950's radical fundamentalists in the Middle East having been waging a war not only against their neighbors but also against US! Organizations like Al Qaida, the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, and countries like Iran have one goal, and that is to force the entire region into the fundamentalist fold. The fact that Islamic countries like Pakistan have nuclear weapons that can fall into the hands of people that will most assuredly start WW3 demands that our foreign policy first and foremost supports governments that support stability and not people, organizations, or "arab springs" that promise chaos. When we start threatening nations that have the means to restore order and stability if THEY do exactly what WE would do if there were foreign fighters supporting revolution in this country, we are on the road to direct military intervention. We also invite another cold war with nations that can, and will confront us like China and Russia. EXACTLY what we DON'T need to do. Various senior military professionanls have gone public lately telling the POTUS and Hillary to "shut the f — _k up" and get out of the region's business, and Russia and China have said butt out. They are correct in this advice. Unfortunately, world crisis and chaos influences voters, and it IS an election year. Enough said.
That would require taking responsibility which isnt the muslim way unless its a car bomb.
love that idea,sure would speed up the ol' commute some... ......don't think i would want to mount them on my brakes though..............:)
This is what happens when fumbling do-gooders of the US and UN step in. They have been making a mess of things since Korea. Good young men are killed, on both sides, to make the politicians and do-ggoders feel good.
Sorry guys, no oil, no way in hell America help. Funny how the media mentions terrorist links in this country, but failed to mention that the same thing was happening in Egypt.. and a certain other oil rich country. Disgusting how our media is owned by politicians.
simple fact, the longer these Mideast country's as a whole continue to kill each other, the less of them there are, and the less who have time to screw up the rest of the world so i say...
good job.....keep it up, in the name of "freedom", "Allah", whatever...........
They multiply like rabbits ... we need more stringent measures than simply to hope they will kill themselves off. They have been doing that for centuries and it seems like every time they kill one of each other 10 more are there to replace them!
Unfortunately with their mass immigration into all Western countries and then subsequent breeding, there are many getting entrenched in the West. All over the World.
scores of "foreign" fighters have joined ranks with the rebels.....many with Al Queda ties!!! Hmmm....and we (Obama) is supporting them to get rid of Asaad....What is wrong with this picture? I guess its safe to say he hopes these WMD go to the rebels (and Al Queda). Asaad stated he would use his WMD if foreign countries attacked...Does this influx of foreign fighters fall into that category? Hope they brought their gas masks
This is great. It's almost as good as watching Iran and Iraq fight. Makes one wonder what we can do to help both sides...
Call in Colonel North!!
Golly, where did Syria get all of those chemical weapons? I seam to remember stories of Iraq moving WMDs to Syria, but that could not be, because Iraq had no WMD's. I know for sure, because it was reported in the main line media.
;-)
a---rand, continue to spread this message. You're not alone in your questioning about the WMD's.
"foreign fighters" = Obama / Moslem Brotherhood funded Al Qaeda fighters along with other Al Qaeda splinter cells and military factions funded by the Brotherhood.
mmmmmm ... mmmmm ... mmmmmmmm!!
So let me get this straight, Al-qaida in Syria are called "foreign fighters" and Al-qaida in Pakistan are called "terrorists"!!!!! Shooring down a chopper is called a crash! Killing civilains is called an accident! CIA agents are called Civilian contractors! Gitmo is called a US base!
... and Al Qaeda in America is called Obama, CAIR & the ISNA.
It's "strange" how all this works isn't it?!
That is a misinformed and outlandish statement about the president.
I'd rather have the strongman stay Bashad stay in power than have Al Queada take over. I dont understand why the US and Britain are supporting the Al Queada rebels. Al Queda has already f...ked up air travel which used to be fun before. Just look at alll we have to submit to when we take a ride in a plane. F...k Al Qeueda. @!$%#s
If you want to try and understand why the U.S. & Britain are supporting Al Qaeda, and if you have the time to study, check out muslimbrotherhoodinamerica.com ...
You may also check out www.halliburton.com or Bush or Chenney, they all mean the same anyhow. or Blood for oil. Or WOMD, which it seems to not be an issue anymore. The greatest oxy-morone of Government Freedom. And when you check halliburton, check out their stock history.
WMDs are a non issue because Bush is no longer in office....
Assad is a no good bastard to be sure, but if the other choice is Muslim extremists than they would be better off with Assad.
The same thing happened in Agfhanistan where yesterdays freedom fighters are today's terrorists. Armed by the USA. Why does the USA continue to shoot itself in the leg? This crazy and stupid. maybe arms manufacturers make giant profits from these deals why young men and women pay with thier lives.
Hey Andrea, why isn't the media focusing on WHERE these WMDs came from?
Every time the US gets involved in foreign countries they just make things worse. There never has been a conclusion on any war except the American Revelation and the Spanish American war.
The US and NATO claims THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE CIVILIANS AND WMD'S , But on the other hand the are the ones that putting all these weapons in danger of falling into Alqaida , Funny how politics work , we are arming the same people that attacked us on 9/11 , any body even wondering or asking , or you all just do not care , how about the families of our fallen heroes ??? did any of our politicians told them that 's we they doing , Is the hate for Iran and Syria ( the two countries that done nothing to harm us , and they even helped in the fight against terrorism ) taken over the hate for Alqaida ???? are we taking the orders from Alqaida masters ( the Saudis and Qataris ) to take down Assad , simply because he does not fit in their plan of turning the whole ME into a Wahhabi Muslims heaven ??? Is the money worth more than our patriotism and honor ??? what the hell is it ??? Hillary , McCain , Lieberman , Graham and Mr. Obama ???
As I look at the pictures, I have but one question, just where the heck are all these AK's and RPGs that are being used by the rebel forces coming from? Does everyone in this country possess these weapons or what? A news report states that the rebel forces say that they are asking for ammunition because the are running low. But again just where the heck are the weapons coming from and how are they getting their hands on them? I know that there are arm dealers making a pretty penny off this situation, but still just where the heck are all these weapons coming from?
Russia and China manufacture AK47s and RPGs...
T. Harris they are coming from the US , NATO , SAUDIS AND QATAR , They are paid for and the salaries of these thugs paid by the Saudis and Qataris , and most of the weapons are the ones that NATO got from Libya , that SOB in Libya had enough weapons to arm the world , the thugs are trained in Turkey and Jordan and Lebanon by NATO's special forces , how do like that , we and NATO training these Alqaida thugs , the same ones that attacked here on 9/11 , and the same ones we are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan , GO FIGURE , but the Saudis and Qataris paying good money , and buddy , money what makes the world goes around , and our politicians go .
Roh Roh, Muslim occupation forces are arriving.....
Foreign fighters? Is that what we're calling Al Qaida now?
The Media has to not offend Muslims by referring to Muslim terrorist groups as Muslim terrorist groups...
Good. It's too bad Al Quaida could not see the real enemy from day one was not the US but their own Arab Leaders, the people suppressing their own people while preaching hate against Isreal, while waving the Palestinian flag only to look good, and doing business with the US, or Russia, or China, or anyone who would sell them weapons and do business to keep them rich and in power. They could have liberated the entire Mideast and turned power and money and arms back over to a government that represented the people and gave them some freedom and justice, Instead, they instilled a bizarre communistic version of Islam, attacked and killed their own people, innocent men, women, and children, and preached hate and attacked the US. I am glad they are helping the Syrian rebels. The west isn't doing much while innocent people get slaughtered. When Assad goes down, who will the people admire? Not us.
ATTN: defenseless citizens of Syria, always remember the criminal government goons of Russia and China are keeping the killer, murdering, coward Assad in power and arming him to KILL YOU! The government officials of those two outlaw countries have the blood of your women and children on their hands.
Its way past time for a country to send in a sniper squad to kill this killer goon Assad!!!!
My enemies enemy, is my friend....