Fighting in Syria continues

Syrian government troops continued their attacks on opposition strongholds over the weekend killing more than 60 people, according to activists. The majority of casualties were registered in the city of Homs, but attacks were also reported in the provinces Daraa and Hama. The recent killing of a senior Syrian army officer by opposition forces as well as two bomb attacks in Aleppo, allegedly masterminded by the terrorist network al Qaeda, suggest the civil war in Syria is gaining momentum.

Medical and food supplies needed

"It's almost impossible to imagine the situation here," says Mohammed (name changed by DW), an opposition supporter from Damascus. The 35-year-old was arrested and tortured following a demonstration in the capital two weeks ago and has since been released. "The besieged towns desperately need medical and food supplies. It's crucial the Red Cross is granted access to these areas as soon as possible," he pleaded.

So far more than 5,000 people have been killed during the uprising against Assad's regime, according to the United Nations. Exact figures are not available because the Syrian government is not providing any reliable information and clamping down on journalists. Moreover, the Arab League's team of observers has suspended its operations due to the ongoing fighting.

Arab League appoints special envoy

The head of the Arab League's Syria mission, the Sudanese General Mohammed al-Dabi, resigned shortly ahead of a League meeting in Cairo on Sunday. The Syrian opposition has long been critical of the general because he is considered a close ally of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the Hague-based International Criminal Court for war crimes in Darfur. Former Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul-Illah al-Khatib has been nominated as the League's new envoy to Syria. The Arab League is also planning a joint Syria mission with the United Nations. Diplomatic ties with Assad's government are to be severed and the existing sanctions – including travel bans and the freezing of bank accounts – are to be enforced rigidly.

Recognizing the Syrian National Council?

The Arab States appear to be considering the full recognition of the opposition Syrian National Council as the country's only legitimate representative body. The Council is an opposition alliance, formed during the 2011 protests against the Assad government, and based in Istanbul, Turkey. However, it is unclear to what extent this fledgling alliance represents the Syrian people. It has so far only been officially recognized by Libya's transitional government.

The Cairo conference also discussed a document which Saudi Arabia wants to present at the UN General Assembly. According to US broadcaster CNN, this three-page paper strongly condemns the violation of human rights by the Syrian regime. The General Assembly may issue an official condemnation but this counts little on the ground. Besides, only last week China and Russia vetoed an already watered down Syria resolution in the UN Security Council.

Al Qaeda calls for rebellion

While the Arab states are trying to ramp up the pressure on the Syrian government, the terror network al Qaeda has released a new video message, calling on Muslims around the globe to support the Syrian rebels. The group's leader Ayman al-Zawahiri urged the opposition to continue fighting and establish an Islamic state in Syria. He also warned Syrians not to rely on the Arab League, Turkey or the West.

In contrast, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a key ally of Assad, on Saturday warned Arab states to refrain from financially aiding the Syrian opposition. Speaking at a rally to mark the anniversary of Iran's Islamic revolution, he said countries in the region, which have never had any fair elections, were with the help of the US trying to force "their own version of freedom and elections" on others.

According to a report in Israeli daily Haaretz from Sunday, Iran props up the Syrian regime financially. Secret documents show that Tehran is willing to help Syria with trade deals worth more than a billion dollars.

'Fall of regime predictable'

Arab ministers say that Tunisia is planning an international conference on February 24, in an effort to counteract Iran's influence in Syria. At the meeting, which has been dubbed 'Friends of Syria,' leaders will discuss ways to end the violence.

According to Tunisian Foreign Minister Rafik Ben Adessalam Arab as well as other states will attend the meeting.

Damascus has already cut diplomatic ties with Tunisia and Libya and expelled their ambassadors from Syria, as both countries openly voiced support for the opposition.

"It's about making it clear to the regime that the end of the road is nigh, that there is no going back to the normality before the beginning and subsequent quashing of the uprising," Volker Perthens, director at the German Insitute for International and Security Affairs, said. He believes supporting the opposition is important for the future of Syria.

"The sanctions help, as does the diplomatic isolation, but also the concrete help for the opposition to prepare for the time after the inevitable downfall of the regime."

Author: Anne Allmeling / nk, ng
Editor: Richard Connor