Syria News Wire

There will be a demonstration in London on New Year’s Eve against the Egyptian government. The Mubarak regime is supporting the apartheid government of Israel by blocking the Viva Palestina convoy, and enforcing the Israeli siege of Gaza. Egypt is acting as Israel’s policeman, as it has done for the past year and a half. [...]

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One year ago today Israel started its massacre. It began with an air raid on a police station in Gaza. 40 were killed in a single second. One month later, and only after George Bush left office, 1400 people’s lives had been stolen by a religiously-driven political project. A sixty-year experiment in ethnic cleansing. Now, [...]

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No Way Through is an award-winning short film on the Israeli Occupation. Set in London, it asks, what would happen if the British capital was filled with Israeli-style checkpoints. The results brought me to tears. Really. Thanks to Anas for spreading the word, and letting me find this amazing piece of work. No Way Through [...]

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A ship carrying 83 people has sunk just 20km from Tartous. It was sailing through a thunderstorm at the time. A search is under way, with British helicopters and rescue teams from Cyprus joining in the hunt for the Panamanian vessel. 19 people have been rescued so far. The crew is mostly Filipino and Pakistani. [...]

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The International Crisis Group has published a report on Syria’s changing foreign policy. It’s conclusion: now is the time for the US to engage. First, a note on the ICG. The ICG has always been relatively friendly towards Syria, and this latest report is no different. Indeed, it’s Middle East Programme Director, Robert Malley is [...]

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A British court has issued an arrest warrant for Tzipi Livni, who was Foreign Minister of Israel during the Gaza massacre one year ago. The court was acting under the 4th Geneva Convention, which states that anyone who commits an alleged war crime, anywhere in the world, can face trial. The warrant was withdrawn when [...]

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Two separate sources claim to know the name of the new American ambassador to Damascus. Well, they’ve got it down to two names, at least. The long-awaited move would be the formal end of America’s isolation of Syria, which started when Bush recalled their ambassador two days after Rafiq Hariri was killed. FW Magazine claims [...]

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The first edition of the new English-language daily, Baladna, is now available online. Its cover story is the long-awaited plan to ban cars from the Old City. The full-colour paper, which has a cover price of 25L, seems to be targetting younger readers: stories on changes to military service, new housing for young people, environment [...]

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The much anticipated Baladna English launches in a few hours. The pre-launch excitement has even made it into the Guardian. But it’s been a long wait. Originally pencilled in for a May 2009 launch, this got pushed back a number of times. But finally, 9 December 2009 is the date Baladna English will hit newsstands. [...]

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Another bus tragedy has claimed the lives of more innocent people in Syria. 12 people have died after a bus and truck heading for Iraq collided in north-eastern Syria. Both vehicles were destroyed in the accident. It’s thought high speed and fog were to blame. One of the drivers was on the wrong side of [...]

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