Syrian Rebels: 100 Regime Soldiers Killed in New Offensive

Rebels Condemn UN Ceasefire, Say They Will Ignore It

The Free Syrian Army (FSA) has reiterated today that it no longer considers itself bound by the UN-brokered ceasefire, adding that it has killed “more than 100” Syrian soldiers since the offensive began on Saturday.

The FSA issued an ultimatum last week, demanding that the UN announce that the ceasefire was over by Friday night. The UN let the deadline lapse, and the rebels began launching major attacks Saturday morning.

The FSA has been condemning the ceasefire from nearly the beginning, and insists that Bashar Assad is entirely to blame for its failure. The Western nations that have been backing the FSA have yet to comment on their decision to spurn the ceasefire.

It is unlikely they will react negatively, however, as the US and France in particular have been pressing for the international community to install the FSA as the new rulers of Syria, while condemning Russia for refusing to get on board with the new regime.

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.