Save Syria's Children Now

More than 2 million Syrians have fled their country, according to the United Nations refugee agency. With nowhere to go and often with just the clothes on their backs, many end up in refugee camps that are both overcrowded and overwhelmed. There are 4 million Syrian children are suffering as a result of a horrific conflict – one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time - which is now stretching into its third year. Two million people have fled...

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In this undated picture posted on the Facebook page of a militant group, a militant fighter exercises at an unknown training camp in Syria.

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Russia blocks U.N. action against Syria air attacks (AFP)

The Associated Press, United Nations Friday, 20 December 2013 Russia objected to a proposed U.N. Security Council statement expressing outrage at Syrian government airstrikes, especially this week’s indiscriminate use of heavy weapons in Aleppo that have killed more than 100 people, U.N. diplomats said Thursday. The statement, proposed by the United States, required approval from all 15 council members. Diplomats said Russia, the most important ally...

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Syria: No one can stop Assad from election run (Al Arabiya)

The Syrian government said Thursday that nobody can prevent the country’s embattled President Bashar al-Assad from running for re-election next year. “Nobody has the right to interfere and say he must run or he should not run,” Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Muqdad told Agence France-Presse, shortly after Russia criticized statements that he wanted to seek another term. “President Assad in my opinion should be a candidate but he will decide when...

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Chinese Ship to Help Protect US Vessel Destroying Syria's Chemical Weapons

"China has decided to send a military ship to participate in the protection mission for the shipping of Syrian chemical weapons," Reuters quoted ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying as saying. She described it as an "important move" to show China’s support. The chemicals will be destroyed on board the US ship, although there is no agreement yet on where the ship will anchor. ...

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Syria: Militants Boats, Vehicles Destroyed, Gunmen Killed

TEHRAN (FNA)- Units of the Syrian armed forces on Thursday targeted militants in a number of cities and areas, killing scores of them and destroying their hideouts and vehicles. A military source said that a number of militants were killed and injured as their cars were destroyed in al-Zarzor, al-Nakarin, North al-Nayrab, in the vicinity of al-Kindi hospital, Aleppo central prison, the industrial area, West of the thermal station, Rasm Bakro, Deir...

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Abuse 'rife in secret al-Qaeda jails in Syria' (BBC)

                    Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isis) vehicle pictured  Torture and summary executions are rife in secret prisons in Syria run by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), Amnesty International says. A new report says al-Qaeda affiliate had committed serious rights abuses, including some amounting to war crimes. Isis is one of the main jihadist groups fighting...

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The death of Dr Abbas Khan shows how Syria's President Assad shares power with ruthless and erratic henchmen (The Independent)

From child torture to sarin gas, the security services’ methods have dictated the war Why did Dr Abbas Khan die? Nobody takes seriously the obvious lie that he committed suicide four days before he was to be released from prison. Who gave the orders for his murder? And why? It would be difficult to think of a more self-destructive act by the security services of the Syrian government and leads to questions about who really holds power...

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Syrian refugees pose in the snow in front of their makeshift home in Ankara. (ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images)

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Russia signals to Syria's Assad to stay silent on re-election (Reuters)

A man walks through a graveyard that was damaged by what activists said was shelling from forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the Kadi Askar neighbourhood of Aleppo, December 14, 2013. (Reuters) - A Russian diplomat signalled on Thursday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should refrain from statements suggesting he might seek re-election because it could fuel tension before planned peace talks. Russia has been Assad's most...

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