30 October 2014
Saying the ongoing civil war in Syria and its spillover effects continue to inflict a devastating human and humanitarian toll on neighbouring countries, John Ging, Operations Director for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, made a strong plea on behalf of the neighbouring countries Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq, as well as Turkey. (more…)
21 October 2014
The New York Times recently reported that a still-classified C.I.A review, one of several such studies commissioned in 2012 and 2013 by the Obama administration, concluded that many past attempts by the agency to arm foreign forces covertly had a minimal impact on the long-term outcome of a conflict and proved even less effective when militias fought without any direct American support on the ground. (more…)
Source: The New York Times | C.I.A. Study of Covert Aid Fueled Skepticism About Helping Syrian Rebels
26 September 2014
‘It is imperative for the international community to work hard to put an end to the bloodshed and the systematic destruction of Syria by a regime that has put its people between a rock and a hard place to choose between accepting its presence at the helm or burning down their country’, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of Qatar, told the UNGA. The Qatari leader reiterated his call on the Security Council to ‘shoulder its legal and humanitarian responsibility and support the Syrian people’ against terrorism and genocide. (more…)
Source: UN News | Mid-east, Gulf leaders strive for international response to terrorism in Syria
23 September 2014
The United States and five Arab countries launched airstrikes on 22 September on Islamic State group targets in Syria. The airstrikes were conducted by the US, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. (more…)
Source: ABC News | Pentagon: US, Partners Begin Airstrikes in Syria
1 August 2014
Valerie Amos, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, warned that attacks on civilians by all parties to the conflict and human rights abuses continue ‘in flagrant violation of the most basic principles of … international law’. (more…)