Battle Rages in Syria's Aleppo
VOA News
July 29, 2012
Syrian government forces are reported using tanks and artillery against rebels in the major city of Aleppo, a day after the rebels held off a government offensive.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says intense fighting is taking place Sunday in southwestern districts of the city.
The battle for control of Aleppo, Syria's most populous city and commercial hub, is crucial for both the government and opposition.
The opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) on Sunday urged the U.N. Security Council to hold an emergency session on Aleppo, alleging that the government of President Bashar al-Assad is planning to commit a massacre there.
Appeal for weapons
Abdel Basset Sayda, head of the SNC, appealed to foreign backers for heavy weapons to help the opposition counter the government's superior firepower.
Visiting Abu Dhabi, Sayda said the rebels need weapons that can stop tanks and planes. He said that such supplies will "make Syrians able to defend themselves against this killing machine."
As the fighting raged, Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Mualem made a previously unannounced visit to Syria's staunch ally, Iran.
At a Tehran news conference, he asserted that what he called the "anti-Syrian forces" gathered in Aleppo to fight the government "will definitely be defeated."
Iran's warning
Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi warned about the consequences for the region and the world should the Assad government fall.
He said it is "naive" and "an illusion" to think that if there is a power vacuum in Syria and a transition of power, a new government could easily be established.
Pope Benedict appealed for an end to all violence and bloodshed in Syria and called on the international community to spare no effort to help find a just political solution to conflict.
Speaking at his summer retreat of Castel Gandolfo, the pope also asked Syria's neighbors to help refugees fleeing the violence and make sure they are given all necessary humanitarian assistance.
Refugees
Jordan on Sunday opened its first official tent camp to help host the tens of thousands of Syrians who have fled their country.
The Zaatari camp is about 11 kilometers from the Syrian border in the Mafraq area.
Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Judah says his country is now sheltering more than 142,000 Syrians. He says up to 2,000 more are arriving each day.
Turkey is sheltering more than 44,000 Syrians and is building three more camps, for a total of 10, to hold the growing number of refugees.
The United Nations says more than 17,000 people have been killed during Syria's conflict since March of last year.
fuente: La Voz de América , http://www.voanews.com/content/syria-fighting-continues/1448528.html
July 29, 2012
Syrian government forces are reported using tanks and artillery against rebels in the major city of Aleppo, a day after the rebels held off a government offensive.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says intense fighting is taking place Sunday in southwestern districts of the city.
The battle for control of Aleppo, Syria's most populous city and commercial hub, is crucial for both the government and opposition.
The opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) on Sunday urged the U.N. Security Council to hold an emergency session on Aleppo, alleging that the government of President Bashar al-Assad is planning to commit a massacre there.
Appeal for weapons
Abdel Basset Sayda, head of the SNC, appealed to foreign backers for heavy weapons to help the opposition counter the government's superior firepower.
Visiting Abu Dhabi, Sayda said the rebels need weapons that can stop tanks and planes. He said that such supplies will "make Syrians able to defend themselves against this killing machine."
As the fighting raged, Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Mualem made a previously unannounced visit to Syria's staunch ally, Iran.
At a Tehran news conference, he asserted that what he called the "anti-Syrian forces" gathered in Aleppo to fight the government "will definitely be defeated."
Iran's warning
Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi warned about the consequences for the region and the world should the Assad government fall.
He said it is "naive" and "an illusion" to think that if there is a power vacuum in Syria and a transition of power, a new government could easily be established.
Pope Benedict appealed for an end to all violence and bloodshed in Syria and called on the international community to spare no effort to help find a just political solution to conflict.
Speaking at his summer retreat of Castel Gandolfo, the pope also asked Syria's neighbors to help refugees fleeing the violence and make sure they are given all necessary humanitarian assistance.
Refugees
Jordan on Sunday opened its first official tent camp to help host the tens of thousands of Syrians who have fled their country.
The Zaatari camp is about 11 kilometers from the Syrian border in the Mafraq area.
Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Judah says his country is now sheltering more than 142,000 Syrians. He says up to 2,000 more are arriving each day.
Turkey is sheltering more than 44,000 Syrians and is building three more camps, for a total of 10, to hold the growing number of refugees.
The United Nations says more than 17,000 people have been killed during Syria's conflict since March of last year.
fuente: La Voz de América , http://www.voanews.com/content/syria-fighting-continues/1448528.html
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