Syria Slides Into Civil War - Activists

Syria is sliding into civil war as activists proclaim that the 'liberation war' has officially started amid clashes between government forces and armed anti-government militia in Damascus, Al-Rastan and Khirbat Ghazalah.

Syrian security forces carried out raids and arrests in Khirbat Ghazalah Sunday morning, resulting in 18 dead, according to the Syrian Human Rights Observatory (SHRO). The organisation also posted video of militia armed with RPGs and rifles, declaring they control parts of the city of Al-Rastan.

Following the suspension of the operations of the Arab League Observer Mission in Syria yesterday January 28th, Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

"I am deeply concerned that the increasing violence in Syria has led the Arab League to halt its operations in Syria. Reports suggest that more than sixty people were killed on the streets of Syria yesterday. The Arab League has led the international community’s response to the increasing crisis in Syria.  Some of their observers have experienced the violence at first hand.

The international community has repeatedly called on President Assad to stop the killing and the repression of civilians. He has chosen to ignore these calls. As a result there is growing consensus that the world must speak up for the people of Syria.

Now is the time for the international community to unite, including by agreeing a United Nations Security Council Resolution this week, to make clear to President Assad and his regime that the killing must stop."

More than 5000 people have been killed in Assad's crackdown on his political opposition, including civilians and children, over the last year.

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