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Syria
President Assad in a public speech presented a plan for ending the country’s civil war. He also called his opponents “terrorists” and said he had no intention of leaving office. The opposition Syrian National Coalition, the EU, the UK, and Turkey rejected the plan.
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Syria
Government artillery and aircraft bombarded rebel strongholds in the suburbs of Damascus. Fighting also raged south of the capital. The government claims it captured Mohamed al Zawahiri, brother of al Qaeda emir Ayman al Zawahiri.
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Al Qaeda
Several jihadists recruitment cells dismantled in the Maghreb
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Syria
A car bomb exploded at a crowded gas station in Damascus, killing 11 people. Government ground and air forces attacked rebel positions in Damascus. Hezbollah leader Nasrallah called for the Lebanese government to take a more active role in finding a solution to the Syrian conflict.
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Syria
Syria military, rebels battle over two airports
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Iraq
Flow of Arms to Syria Through Iraq Persists, to US Dismay
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Syria
Heavy fighting raged around Taftanaz military airport in northwest Syria. Hundreds of rebels attempted to storm the base but were repelled. Aleppo’s international airport remained under siege. Government forces attacked the rebel stronghold of Daraya in Damascus.
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Afghanistan
Obama’s pivot to Asia? Middle East will still demand attention in 2013
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Syria
The UN reported that 60,000 people have been killed in the 22-month-long conflict, a sharp increase from previous reports; the UN also said more than 500,000 have fled the country including 84,000 in December alone. The Philippine-based operator for the port of Tartus pulled its workers out of Syria.
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Syria
Fighting erupted around Aleppo’s international airport. Government aircraft attacked rebel positions in Damascus suburbs. Rebels blew up a natural gas pipeline feeding electricity plants and a fertilizer factory.
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Syria
Unconfirmed reports claim heavy clashes between Syrian and Jordanian military forces occurred overnight near the Ramtha border crossing. The mutilated bodies of 30 people who had been tortured were found dumped in the Barzeh neighborhood of Damascus. Syrian forces are now conducting counterstrikes following their seizure of a contested neighborhood in Homs.
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Syria
President Assad said he has no intention of stepping down from power. Government troops pushed rebel forces out of the Deir Baalbeh district of Homs. Afterward, 220 civilians were rounded up and executed.
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Syria
Iran may be reconsidering position on Syria
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Syria
Battle for Aleppo Shows Weaknesses of Both Sides
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Syria
Assad said to be afraid and isolated as rule fades
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Syrian regime reportedly using wide range of tactical ballistic missiles
US officials have accused the Assad regime of using Iranian-made, short-range ballistic missiles against a rebel offensive this week. The regime has deployed a wide array of tactical ballistic missiles against suspected al Qaeda-affiliated rebels this month.
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Syria
Syrian military forces seized the Deir Baalbeh area of the central city of Homs after launching a fierce assault against the area several days ago. Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi declared his support for the Syrian revolution. Austria has announced its support for Iran’s six-point plan on the crisis in Syria.
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Al Nusrah Front on the offensive in Aleppo
The al Qaeda affiliate is capable of sustaining multiple offensives across Syria against the forces of the Assad regime, and has overrun several military bases this year.
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Syria
Russia urged the Assad regime and the opposition Syrian National Council to pursue peace talks. The opposition rejected the invitation. Two Air Force generals and three Syrian state journalists defected. Government forces began firing Iranian-made ballistic missiles.
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Al Nusrah Front emir denounces US terrorism designation, praises foreign fighters
Abu Muhammad al Julani sends “a greeting of love and loyalty to our pure and pious emigrant brothers” who are waging jihad in Syria.
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Syria
Syrian moderates fear being edged out of uprising
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Syria
UN envoy Brahimi proposed a peace plan that included a transitional government with executive powers until new elections could be held. The National Coalition said it would agree to any plan that excludes President Assad. Russia sought to revive an earlier peace plan without the stipulation.
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New jihadist group emerges in Syria
Syrian Jund al Sham says it will support “everyone who raised the banner of monotheism and jihad.”
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Syria
After setbacks to the Assad regime, refugees in Jordan began returning to Syria join the rebellion. A senior general in charge of Syria’s military police defected to the rebels. Fighting over a military base on the Damascus-to-Aleppo highway intensified as rebels attempted to cut off government forces in the north.
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Syria
Senior Syrian official in US and co-operating with intelligence agencies
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Syria
As Envoy Meets Syria’s Assad, Russia Signals New Pessimism
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Syria
UN and Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi met with President Assad but made little progress toward a negotiated solution for the civil war. Rebels surrounded three air bases in northern Syria but were unable to stop government jets from launching attacks. Russian advisers are manning some of Syria’s air defenses.
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Israel
An Israeli TV crew manages to enter into Syria
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Syria
Israel says Syria chemical weapons are secure for now
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Syria
An airstrike by government jets killed 90 people in Hama province. Some 200 government troops guarding Damascus airport defected to the rebels.
