Veteran Norwegian reaches Syria as head of UN observer

As the UN-brokered peace deal not able to contain violence in Syria, and the relation between Syria and UN touching almost an all-time low, the arrival of Major General Robert Mood as the Chief UN observer in Damascus on Sunday couldn’t have been at a more difficult time. As the Chief UN observer, Major General Robert Mood understands the complexity of the task he has on hand. He is confident that his 300-unarmed observers would carry out their role and “make a difference” in Syria. He would be helped immediately by 30 ground observers. The number is expected to double in the coming week and the rest would join in a phased manner.

The city of Homs, which has borne the worst of the violence since the beginning of uprising, reported less violence on Sunday. Rebel forces have attributed this to the arrival of UN observers in Syria.  However, there were reports of gunfire and explosions in Damascus. The Central Bank building in the capital was hit by a grenade attack on Sunday and shown some damage.

Authorities in Damascus have claimed death of 2600 security personnel at the hands of rebel forces since the beginning of Syria uprising. A day before, Damascus has criticized the United Nations Chief Ban Ki-Moon for not telling the true picture and for turning a blind eye to Syria’s problems. On the other hand, the Bashaar-Al-Asaad government have been accused of killing 9000 people by the United Nations.

Hope soars as UN peace plan unlocks Syria deadlock

In a major turnaround on Tuesday, President Bashar-Al-Assad of Syria has given his acquiescence to the six-point peace plan proposed by Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary-General. By agreeing to the peace proposal, President Assad is now formally bounded to end the deadly violence that has been continuing since the early days of Syria uprising. However, diplomatic circles conceded that they are doubtful about the level of commitment and sincerity Al Assad would show towards the peace plan.

In a statement issued in Geneva, it has been confirmed that the Syrian ministry has expressed their desire to accept the UN peace proposal in a letter addressed to the UN-Arab League Joint Special Envoy, Kofi Annan. The acting peace Envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, is stated to have welcomed the development as an “important initial step.” He is also hopeful that it should end the relentless violence and bloodshed and create an atmosphere for political dialogue to begin in Syria and fulfill the rightful aspirations of all Syrians. Annan has, however, cautioned that the road to peace in Syria depends on the successful implementation of the UN peace proposal.

Political opponents as well as anti-government activists in Syria are rather skeptical and feel that it is the latest ploy by the Syrian government to buy some more time to stay in power. Some pointed out that Kofi Annan’s peace plan is incomplete and does not address key issues. Such as, call for Assad to step down nor does it charge the current regime with International Criminal Court proceedings.

Annan’s peace mission in Syria finds Russian support

The UN-Arab League special ambassador Kofi Annan had a high level meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Sunday about Syria. Annan is currently on an official tour to Russia and China to ramp up support for restoration of peace in Syria. While extending his full support, the Russian President acknowledged that Kofi Annan could be President Bashar-Al-Assad’s last chance to avoid a violent civil war and restore peace in the country. Kofi Annan would round off the tour with China.

To end the relentless fighting since the beginning of Syria uprising last year, Annan is trying to build consensus for immediate cease fire and unfettered entry for humanitarian aid in Syria. While President Barak Obama of the United States and Turkish PM are chewing over sending medical and communications equipments, termed as non-lethal aid, to anti-government activists in Syria, it is not yet determined the nature of Moscow’s participation in Annan’s peace mission.

Despite the latest diplomatic efforts, cities of Homs and Idlib are continued to be bombarded by Syrian forces, as claimed by Syrian opposition. Unconfirmed sources have claimed 30 deaths from all across Syria on Sunday, particularly from Homs and Idlib. While some towns like Hirak and Daraa are facing acute food shortage, others are believed to be pounded by military aircraft.

Renewed bloodshed in Homs as Syrian military launch attack

After being declared ‘secured’ by the Syrian military, violence erupted in Homs on Wednesday as it became the target of renewed bombardment and shelling. As many as 79 Syrians are believed to be dead throughout Syria out of which 42 are from Homs. It is not yet clear what caused the sudden flare up of clash between the Syrian forces and the rebels on Wednesday.

Rumor is that, military have used tanks and helicopters to kick out the rebels from their once strong hold, Homs. More and more Sunni families are abandoning their homes for fear of pro-government groups called ‘Shabiha’. It is being claimed that the Syrian armed forces have killed at least 25 people in the Khaldiya district where refugees from war-torn neighborhoods have taken shelter. It is said that families trying to flee Baba Amr are also becoming the target of attack.

For over one year Homs has been the heartland of anti-government revolution in Syria. The year-long Syrian uprising has taken the death toll to more than 8000, though unofficially it is believed to be above 10,000. The UN-Arab League special ambassador, Mr. Kofi Anna, has been trying to broker a peace plan with the Bashar-Al-Asaad government and the opposition. He is also trying to convince the present government for unfettered human-aid access.

Violence spreads in Syria as car bomb hits Aleppo

Just a day after two back-to-back car bombs ripped through Damascus, the largest Syrian city Aleppo got hit by a deadly car bomb on Sunday which killed at least two and injured 30 others. The blast was reported to be in a residential area close to a state security office in Aleppo. Speculation is that, the cities which have largely remained insulated from Syrian unrest and back President Bashar-Al-Asaad regime are now getting caught in the violence. This is the fifth attack on the regime in Syria in the recent months. Like Damascus, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

While the government blames the recent spate of car bomb blasts in Syria on terrorists, anti-government activists not only deny such claims, they have alleged these attacks are government sponsored. They criticize the regime for trying to marginalize them by portraying them as ‘foreign-inspired terrorists’. However, the United States officials have indicated that there could be possible involvement of Al Queda backed Islamic militants.

It is being claimed that Aleppo police have managed to minimize casualties by acting on tip off about the car bomb blast. The explosion happened while moving the booby-trapped car to an isolated location killing a police and a civilian.

Syrian capital Damascus jolted by double bomb blasts

Two back-to back blasts ripped through parts of Damascus, the bustling capital of Syria, on Saturday leaving at least 27 dead and 140 wounded. Early report suggests that the explosion was caused by two car bombs parked in the busy commercial hub of the city that also house several intelligence and security buildings; one near the Criminal Investigation Department and the other close to Aviation Intelligence headquarters in Tahir Square. This is the latest in the series of attacks that have been carried out against President Bashar-Al-Asaad regime and security forces since December. The previous three attacks were similarly deadly.

Initially government sources have blamed the bombings on Al Qaeda, but later changed it to “armed terrorist group” – a term given to anti-government activists. Opponents, on the other hand, have denied the government’s claim and have blamed the regime for trying to cash in on the situation. Islamists militants based in Iraq is also coming out as the third possibility behind the attack, particularly by Western officials.

The Syrian government has stated that it is trying to work out a political solution with the UN. That it is trying to protect its citizens who are being slaughtered by groups of armed terrorists.

Incidentally, the latest double bomb explosions in Damascus happened two days following the first anniversary of Syrian revolution. A UN estimate has put the death count since the uprising to be more than 8000, though oppositions have claimed the death to be around 9000.