Report: Over 100 Killed in Soaring Violence Across Syria

Rebels Seize Key Damascus Suburb

The situation in Syria appears to be spiraling out of control today, with reports of over 100 people killed as the United Nations Security Council confirmed plans to meet over the Arab League’s proposed resolution.

Major violence was reported in Homs and Hama, while the Free Syrian Army (FSA) has captured the Damascus suburb of Saqba, the site of several major anti-Assad rallies in recent days.

The UN resolution the Arab League is pushing would demand Assad immediately accept their call to resign and hand over control of the nation to Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa. The resolution includes an unspecified threat of consequences in retaliation if Assad refuses.

Which is why the resolution is almost certain to fail. The Russian government is planning to veto any resolution which includes vague language of “consequences,” fearing that NATO or other groups could use it as a pretext for an invasion. Since the GCC nations in the Arab League also seem to be pushing a “military option” this is likely a real concern.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.