In Reef Dimashq near the town of Sahem, regime forces, including Hezbollah, battled the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham, the Al Nusrah Front, Islamic battalion fighters, and rebels. In Aleppo province, the ISIS took over much of Menbej city and clashed with rebel and Islamic battalions in Azaz city and al Bab, and Al Nusrah fought against regime forces in southern Aleppo. ISIS fighters in Idlib vowed to avenge the death of a Saudi preacher who had been killed and dragged through the streets of Saraqeb by rebels. Assad regime and opposition figures traded accusations on the opening day of the Geneva II talks, but a UN mediator said both sides might discuss prisoner swaps, local ceasefires, and access to humanitarian aid. US Secretary of State Kerry said the Syrian conflict could not be resolved while Assad was in power; the Syrian Foreign Minister Mouallem disagreed and accused the West of "fight[ing] terrorism while they feed it secretly."
Bill Roggio is a regular guest on the John Batchelor Show from Monday through Friday to discuss the war. Check John's site for the time. Click here to listen live online at WABC.
