Peter GellingMay 8, 2012 14:25

Free Syrian Army amassing weapons

Free Syrian Army is using a relative lull in fighting to regroup, according to Al Jazeera journalists inside the country.

Reporting from inside Syria is no easy task. But Al Jazeera English reporter James Bays and cameraman Tom Nicholson have come out with an impressive account of Free Syrian Army movements in al-Qusayr, in the country's south.

The defected Syrian soldiers Bays interviews say they are using a relative lull in fighiting brought on by a nominal UN-Arab League cease-fire to regroup and amass weapons.

A GlobalPost journalist inside Syria, who remains anonymous for security reasons, has found the Syrian government is behaving in much the same way. Syrian forces have built concrete walls around restive neighborhoods and set up checkpoints around the country that make movements for even ordinary Syrians living in rebellious regions virtually impossible.

The reports, taken together, seem to point to an inevitable resumption of large-scale clashes once UN and Arab League observers leave the country. The end result may only be determined by who is better armed. If the international community continues to hold out on supporting the rebels, the Syrian government will almost certainly hold the advantage.

In Syria, another questionable election

GlobalPost reporter in DamascusMay 7, 2012 16:43

DAMASCUS, Syria — In the middle of a bloody revolution that is tearing at the fabric of Syrian society, Bashar al-Assad on Monday engaged in what many regarded to be a desperate exercise in window dressing: parliamentary elections.

Kofi Annan condemns Syria as violence resumes

Alexander BesantApril 25, 2012 00:34

Kofi Annan, international envoy to Syria, said Tuesday that the situation in the country is 'bleak' and said he was shocked by reports of further violence.

On Location Video: Anatomy of Syria's Crackdown

James FoleyApril 10, 2012 06:00

During two weeks in Syria's Idlib province, reporter James Foley got a firsthand look at the battle between the Syrian government and the Free Syrian Army.

Syrian children detail torture by security forces (VIDEO)

Hugh Macleod and Annasofie FlamandApril 4, 2012 06:11

BEIRUT — For 13-year-old Hossam, the “ultimate pain” of his torture at the hands of the Syrian forces was when the “terrifying person” with the “huge body” wearing “black and black” drove a screwdriver up into his big toe nail before ripping it out with pliers. In a regime whose systematic and widespread torture has shocked even hardened human rights researchers, Syrian children have been singled out for abuse, with hundreds reportedly tortured over the past year by the men fighting to keep President Bashar al-Assad and his family in power.

Exclusive footage of the Syrian Army's assault on Saraqeb

James FoleyMarch 28, 2012 11:10

Reporter James Foley was in Saraqeb as Syrian tanks rolled in to take back the city.

Inside the Free Syrian Army (VIDEO)

Hugh Macleod and Annasofie FlamandMarch 8, 2012 12:04

BEIRUT — Today, in the highest-ranking defection yet, Syria's deputy oil minister joined the rebels, bolstering the cause of the Free Syrian Army. In this GlobalPost exclusive, meet former Syrian soldiers and civilians fighting to topple the regime.

Syria aid expected to enter Baba Amr on Tuesday; regime directs shelling to new villages

Tim FitzsimonsMarch 5, 2012 08:26

BEIRUT — A Red Cross aid convoy was denied entry to Baba Amr again on Monday, but said it had received promises that it could enter the embattled district Tuesday. Activists expressed fears of ongoing government reprisals and dire humanitarian needs.

Syria: Bodies of slain journalists returned to embassy officials

Tim FitzsimonsMarch 3, 2012 12:54

BEIRUT — Syrian authorities turned over the corpses of Marie Colvin and Remi Ochlik, two journalists killed by shelling in Homs on February 22. Reports continued to emerge of revenge killings and mass arrests as the Red Cross waits to enter Baba Amr.

Red Cross aid convoy blocked from entering Baba Amr (VIDEO)

Tim FitzsimonsMarch 2, 2012 09:37

BEIRUT — The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross said it was "unacceptable" that Syria barred aid from entering the most embattled neighborhood of Homs.