Over 90,000 killed in Syrian crisis - UN

[News_Editor]

NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations (UN) on Thursday announced that the death toll in Syria has surpassed 90,000 since the country's violent crisis broke out.

In a press release, UN High Commissioner for Human rights Navi Pillay said the number of deaths in Syria continues at "shockingly high levels", detailing that more than 5,000 killings have been documented every month since last July, including a total of just under 27,000 new killings since December 1.

According to an analysis carried out by data specialists on behalf of the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), at least 92,901 people were killed in fighting between the Government and forces seeking to oust President Bashar Al-Assad between March 2011 and April 2013. However, the agency warned that the actual death toll could be much higher.

"Unfortunately, ¦this is most likely a minimum casualty figure," Pillay said. "The true number of those killed is potentially much higher," Pillay continued, urging the warring parties to declare an immediate ceasefire "before tens of thousands more people are killed or injured."

Information from the eight different sources resulted in a combined list of 263,055 reported killings, fully identified by the name of the victim, as well as the date and location of the death, OHCHR said. Any reported killing that did not include at least these three elements was excluded from the list.

Each reported killing was then compared to all the other reported killings in order to identify duplicates, resulting in 92,091 documented cases of individuals killed. However, many unreported deaths are probable while 37,988 reported killings containing insufficient information were excluded from the analysis.

Up to 30 November 2012, a figure of 60,000 documented deaths was recorded. About 80 percent of the victims documented are male, with the sharpest increase in deaths since November 2012 in Rural Damascus and Aleppo. The Office also documented the "the killings of at least 6,561 minors, including at least 1,729 children under ten years old."

"There are also well-documented cases of individual children being tortured and executed, and entire families, including babies, being massacred," Pillay said, adding that along with the devastatingly high death toll, this is a terrible reminder of "just how vicious this conflict has become."

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in his latest report on the status of children in armed conflicts, cited verified reports that Syrian children are killed or injured in indiscriminate bombings, shot by snipers, used as human shields or victims of terror tactics.

Pillay stated that civilians are bearing the brunt of widespread, violent and often indiscriminate attacks which are devastating whole swathes of major towns and cities, as well as outlying villages.

"Government forces are shelling and launching aerial attacks on urban areas day in and day out, and are also using strategic missiles and cluster and thermobaric bombs," the UN human right chief said. She added, "Opposition forces have also shelled residential areas, albeit using less fire-power and there have been multiple bombings resulting in casualties in the heart of cities, especially Damascus."

(Copyright 2013 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: [email protected].)

[JetsetBkk]

If only they were a major oil exporter...

[Ulysses G.]

It looks like the US will end up getting involved. Bill Clinton bad-mouths president Obama and two days later his administration announces that we are going to arm the rebels.

In a rare split over foreign policy, former President Bill Clinton said President Obama risks looking like a "total wuss" if he lets public and political opposition to intervening in Syria dissuade him from taking decisive action to help rebels topple the Assad regime.

"If you refuse to act and you cause a calamity, the one thing you cannot say when all the eggs have been broken is, 'Oh my god, two years ago there was a poll that said 80 percent of you were against it,'" Clinton said in a question-and-answer period first reported by Politico. "You look like a total fool." http://news.yahoo.com/bill-clinton-cautions-obama-beware-looking-total-wuss-111000924.html

[wooloomooloo]

Good news, a new war. Can't wait. Is it live on Sky?

Who's the good guys?

[Mosha]

Good news, a new war. Can't wait. Is it live on Sky?

Who's the good guys?

Neither side are the good guys, and it's Europe that ends up with another bunch of refugees. Why don't they run East?

[simple1]

Good news, a new war. Can't wait. Is it live on Sky?

Who's the good guys?

Neither side are the good guys, and it's Europe that ends up with another bunch of refugees. Why don't they run East?

1.5 million Syrian refugees have fled the country to neighbouring Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan.

According to UNHCR numbers from various countries, numbers would have increased dramatically in the past 6 months, would guess they are at or near capacity:

Jordon: hosts 460k refugees

Iraq: 1,752,466 population of concern, incl refugees & internally displaced, with 1.4 m Iraqi refugees in other countries

Lebanon: Hosting 63k refugees from Syria

Turkey: approx 220k Syrian refugees

Iran: Hosting nearly 900k refugees

The Sunni dicatorships supported and armed by the West don't appear to welcome and assist refugees.

[johna]

Well this article says America, Israel et al, have been involved with the rebels for a least 2 Years.

http://www.globalresearch.ca/human-rights-watch-syrian-rebels-guilty-of-torture-murder/5305305

[Ulysses G.]

I'm not how much stock I would put in a website with an article entitled "Obama is a Liar and a Terrorist".

[simple1]

Well this article says America, Israel et al, have been involved with the rebels for a least 2 Years.

http://www.globalresearch.ca/human-rights-watch-syrian-rebels-guilty-of-torture-murder/5305305

It's been know for a long time that the US is using Sunni proxies (e.g. Saudi Arabia & Qatar) to fund and arm the Syrian Free Army. The US has repeatedly stated their concerns that the weapons may end up in the hands of Jabhat al-Nusra (Al Qaeda aligned fighters). Jabhat al-Nusra are acknowledged as the most effective urban war fighting group amongst the rebels in Syria. Bit more info at:

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-04-22/world/38736678_1_core-group-syria-qataris

[Scott]

I find it interesting how an OP with no reference to the US can manage to generate post after post about the US.

Please re-read the OP and stick to the topic.

[Asiantravel]

It looks like the US will end up getting involved. Bill Clinton bad-mouths president Obama and two days later his administration announces that we are going to arm the rebels.

In a rare split over foreign policy, former President Bill Clinton said President Obama risks looking like a "total wuss" if he lets public and political opposition to intervening in Syria dissuade him from taking decisive action to help rebels topple the Assad regime.

"If you refuse to act and you cause a calamity, the one thing you cannot say when all the eggs have been broken is, 'Oh my god, two years ago there was a poll that said 80 percent of you were against it,'" Clinton said in a question-and-answer period first reported by Politico. "You look like a total fool." http://news.yahoo.com/bill-clinton-cautions-obama-beware-looking-total-wuss-111000924.html

and it also look like Iran is getting more involved

Iran to send 4,000 troops to aid President Assad forces in Syria

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iran-to-send-4000-troops-to-aid-president-assad-forces-in-syria-8660358.html

[simple1]

Getting nastier and nastier.

The US now has 200+ planners based in Jordan to assist efforts to contain violence along the Syrian border and plan for any operations needed to ensure the safety of chemical weapons in Syria. The 1st Armored Division troops are largely planners and will replace a similar number of U.S. forces that have been in Jordan for some months. They will include specialists in intelligence, logistics and operations.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/17/us-troops-jordan-army-syria-hagel_n_3102687.html

Apologies to Scott, but US is increasingly being drawn into competion with Iran, not just in Syria, but Afghanistan and the wider Sunni/Shiite conflict

http://csis.org/publication/us-and-iranian-strategic-competition-afghanistan-pakistan-india-and-central-asia

[Scott]

As the situation changes, and it appears that it is, then the topic may have to move in a slightly different direction, at least until a new topic comes along.

I believe this is pretty high on the agenda of the G8.

[chuckd]

Getting nastier and nastier.

The US now has 200+ planners based in Jordan to assist efforts to contain violence along the Syrian border and plan for any operations needed to ensure the safety of chemical weapons in Syria. The 1st Armored Division troops are largely planners and will replace a similar number of U.S. forces that have been in Jordan for some months. They will include specialists in intelligence, logistics and operations.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/17/us-troops-jordan-army-syria-hagel_n_3102687.html

Apologies to Scott, but US is increasingly being drawn into competion with Iran, not just in Syria, but Afghanistan and the wider Sunni/Shiite conflict

http://csis.org/publication/us-and-iranian-strategic-competition-afghanistan-pakistan-india-and-central-asia

Consider the source. I have not seen this on any major news networks. I got it from Drudge Report a couple of days ago.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jordan wargames: Patriot batteries, F-16s and 4,500 US troops near Syrian border

Published time: June 10, 2013 10:45

Edited time: June 11, 2013 08:14

Multinational military exercise 'Eager Lion' has been launched in Jordan amid condemnation from neighboring Syria and its ally Russia. The US brings Patriot missile batteries to the Syrian border, which could remain deployed afterwards.

The exercises will last for 12 days, bringing together about 8,000 personnel from 19 countries, mostly Arabic, but also including the US and Europe. The maneuvers will also involve some 3,000 Jordanian and 500 British troops.

'Eager Lion' – which is being conducted only 120km from the Jordan-Syria border – is aimed at training personnel for the possibility of the Syrian civil war spilling into neighboring countries.

http://rt.com/news/jordan-multinational-military-exercises-459/

[antfish]

Good news, a new war. Can't wait. Is it live on Sky?

Who's the good guys?

Neither side are the good guys, and it's Europe that ends up with another bunch of refugees. Why don't they run East?

1.5 million Syrian refugees have fled the country to neighbouring Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan.

According to UNHCR numbers from various countries, numbers would have increased dramatically in the past 6 months, would guess they are at or near capacity:

Jordon: hosts 460k refugees

Iraq: 1,752,466 population of concern, incl refugees & internally displaced, with 1.4 m Iraqi refugees in other countries

Lebanon: Hosting 63k refugees from Syria

Turkey: approx 220k Syrian refugees

Iran: Hosting nearly 900k refugees

The Sunni dicatorships supported and armed by the West don't appear to welcome and assist refugees.

The 900k in Iran is a count of refugees from the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, right? Or do they host now also Syrians? Probably yes, but probably not as much as 900k.

an interesting article about how refugees return to their cities after the rebels were chased out.

"In Syria, residents return to battered town retaken by government".

http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jun/09/world/la-fg-syria-qusair-20130610

[simple1]

Good news, a new war. Can't wait. Is it live on Sky?

Who's the good guys?

Neither side are the good guys, and it's Europe that ends up with another bunch of refugees. Why don't they run East?

1.5 million Syrian refugees have fled the country to neighbouring Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan.

According to UNHCR numbers from various countries, numbers would have increased dramatically in the past 6 months, would guess they are at or near capacity:

Jordon: hosts 460k refugees

Iraq: 1,752,466 population of concern, incl refugees & internally displaced, with 1.4 m Iraqi refugees in other countries

Lebanon: Hosting 63k refugees from Syria

Turkey: approx 220k Syrian refugees

Iran: Hosting nearly 900k refugees

The Sunni dicatorships supported and armed by the West don't appear to welcome and assist refugees.

The 900k in Iran is a count of refugees from the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, right? Or do they host now also Syrians? Probably yes, but probably not as much as 900k.

an interesting article about how refugees return to their cities after the rebels were chased out.

"In Syria, residents return to battered town retaken by government".

http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jun/09/world/la-fg-syria-qusair-20130610

What I was pointing out their are already a huge number of refugees in the region & would be a real challange to support the ever increasing numbers coming out of Syria. Would question if Iran would be sympathic to Syrian Sunni refugees, but you never know...

The UNHCR website for refugee population in Iran: The total number of refugees registered with the authorities stood at some 882,700, including some 840,200 Afghans and 42,500 Iraqis.

From the link you provided it mentions Christian Syrians returning, who are aligned to the Shiite dictatorship. I guess Shiites returning as well. You will not see any ex Sunni town members returning in the near future, probaby be killed on sight.

[Scott]

Off-topic post with a questionable source and replies have been deleted.

[Mosha]

Well if anyone things the west is backing the good guys.

http://www.wnd.com/2013/06/syrian-rebels-to-christians-flee-or-die/#Zw0eu3XE4AzbV9kl.99

[Asiantravel]

Russia Sends More Advanced Missiles to Aid Assad in Syria

Unlike Scud and other longer-range surface-to-surface missiles that the Assad government has used against opposition forces, the Yakhont antiship missile system provides the Syrian military a formidable weapon to counter any effort by international forces to reinforce Syrian opposition fighters by imposing a naval embargo, establishing a no-fly zone or carrying out limited airstrikes.

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/17/world/middleeast/russia-provides-syria-with-advanced-missiles.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&

[jamhar]

Things just got a little more complicated.

Pakistan Taliban set up camps in Syria, join anti-Assad war

This cannot end well.

[simple1]

Things just got a little more complicated.

Pakistan Taliban set up camps in Syria, join anti-Assad war

This cannot end well.

I've said many times that the extremists groups being sheltered in Pakistan are a major threat that has not been addressed.

From a Reuters report

"Ahmed Rashid, a prominent Pakistani author and expert on the Taliban, said sending Taliban fighters to Syria was likely to be appreciated as an act of loyalty towards their al Qaeda allies. “The Pakistani Taliban have remained a sort surrogate of al Qaeda. We’ve got all these foreigners up there in FATA who are being looked after or trained by the Pakistani Taliban,” said Rashid, who is based in Lahore."

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/14/us-pakistan-syria-taliban-idUSBRE96D02V20130714

Be interesting to know if this has been going on for a long time or in response to Iran and Hezbollah sending combatants to support the Shiite dictatorship in Syria.

[SteeleJoe]

Things just got a little more complicated.

Pakistan Taliban set up camps in Syria, join anti-Assad war

This cannot end well.

I've said many times that the extremists groups being sheltered in Pakistan are a major threat that has not been addressed.

From a Reuters report

"Ahmed Rashid, a prominent Pakistani author and expert on the Taliban, said sending Taliban fighters to Syria was likely to be appreciated as an act of loyalty towards their al Qaeda allies. “The Pakistani Taliban have remained a sort surrogate of al Qaeda. We’ve got all these foreigners up there in FATA who are being looked after or trained by the Pakistani Taliban,” said Rashid, who is based in Lahore."

Be interesting to know if this has been going on for a long time or in response to Iran and Hezbollah sending combatants to support the Shiite dictatorship in Syria.

And, as you know, the greater danger is that such groups are sheltered in Pakistan - by that I mean not only the groups themselves are a danger but (as I've been saying for about 15 years - in part because I've been listening to Rashid and others) the fact that the situation is such that they can find shelter there is equally worrying if not more so.

[jamhar]

You can expect the West's hesitation to send arms to the rebels will continue.

[simple1]

Things just got a little more complicated.

Pakistan Taliban set up camps in Syria, join anti-Assad war

This cannot end well.

I've said many times that the extremists groups being sheltered in Pakistan are a major threat that has not been addressed.

From a Reuters report

"Ahmed Rashid, a prominent Pakistani author and expert on the Taliban, said sending Taliban fighters to Syria was likely to be appreciated as an act of loyalty towards their al Qaeda allies. “The Pakistani Taliban have remained a sort surrogate of al Qaeda. We’ve got all these foreigners up there in FATA who are being looked after or trained by the Pakistani Taliban,” said Rashid, who is based in Lahore."

Be interesting to know if this has been going on for a long time or in response to Iran and Hezbollah sending combatants to support the Shiite dictatorship in Syria.

And, as you know, the greater danger is that such groups are sheltered in Pakistan - by that I mean not only the groups themselves are a danger but (as I've been saying for about 15 years - in part because I've been listening to Rashid and others) the fact that the situation is such that they can find shelter there is equally worrying if not more so.

Agree. Off topic, but many analysts have the view that the extremists groups in Pakistan are being supported as an extension of the conflict between Pakistan & India in Kashmir and to counteract Indian influence with the Karzai government. Some have gone further to state that Pakistani security agencies are supporting the Taliban in case there is another war between Pakistan & India.

[midas]

Some worrying developments . Israel is reporting this :-

A series of explosions last week at a critical Syrian port was the result of airstrikes by Israeli warplanes, multiple U.S. officials told CNN on Friday.

Regional media widely reported the predawn explosions at Latakia on July 5, but no one had officially claimed responsibility.

Three U.S. officials told CNN the target of the airstrikes were Russian-made Yakhont anti-ship missiles that Israel believes posed a threat to its naval forces.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/169879#.UeVDrqxWp-z

Meanwhile on the other side

MOSCOW, July 14 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s air base of Tu-95MS Bear-H strategic bombers in the Amur Region is switching to full combat readiness as part of massive snap drills in the Eastern Military District, the Defense Ministry’s press office reported on Sunday.

The exercise, which involves over 160,000 servicemen, some 1,000 armored vehicles, 130 aircraft and 70 warships from the Pacific Fleet, was ordered by President Vladimir Putin on Friday evening.

http://en.rian.ru/military_news/20130714/182230247/Russia-Readies-Strategic-Bombers-in-Snap-Far-East-Military-Drills.html

[boomerangutang]

For awhile now, I've thought WW III would start at one of these potential flashpoints.....

>>> N. Korea / bordering countries

>>> Pakistan / India

>>> China / Taiwan and/or S.China Sea countries

>>> Israel / bordering countries and/or Iran

....but it now it looks as though 'Syria / bordering countries' may advance to top of that list. Interesting that all contenders are in Asia or Middle East.

[midas]

For awhile now, I've thought WW III would start at one of these potential flashpoints.....

>>> N. Korea / bordering countries

>>> Pakistan / India

>>> China / Taiwan and/or S.China Sea countries

>>> Israel / bordering countries and/or Iran

....but it now it looks as though 'Syria / bordering countries' may advance to top of that list. Interesting that all contenders are in Asia or Middle East.

Yes, and what is terrifying is the chaos of war plus a world which is essentially financially broke ?

[jamhar]

For awhile now, I've thought WW III would start at one of these potential flashpoints.....

>>> N. Korea / bordering countries

>>> Pakistan / India

>>> China / Taiwan and/or S.China Sea countries

>>> Israel / bordering countries and/or Iran

....but it now it looks as though 'Syria / bordering countries' may advance to top of that list. Interesting that all contenders are in Asia or Middle East.

Nkorea - I did agree before about the NK's but china's emergence as the second largest economic power has changed my mind. PRC isnt about to let a nut job like NK's to potentially ruin its economic status. and without China's support, the dog has no fangs. At least no fangs big enough to start a WW.

Pakistan/India - That conflict is a powder keg for sure, but still, I dont see it spreading past the region, if something happened. Of course if it went nuclear, then all bets are off. This is a given in any area.

China/Taiwan - There was a time the PRC was a little jealous at the prosperity of Taiwanese. But now that China's economy has emerged to a world power, I dont see the jealousy too much. So Yes they do still want Taiwan back, but not with as much venom as before.

Israel/et al. On the plus side, the moderate muslims are becoming more vocal. On the negative side, there's too much to count. So yep they still have Oil, and has the interests of China/EU/Russia/US and siding with different factions. So a conflict regionally, could draw the superpowers in. Yep, this is still a dangerous powder keg.

Thats the way I see it.

[MB1]

Seems according to the latest news that chemical weapons have been used and hundreds more killed...Sad if true..

"Chemical weapons attacks have killed hundreds on the outskirts of Damascus, Syrian opposition activists say.

Rockets with toxic agents were launched at the suburbs of the Ghouta region early on Wednesday as part of a major bombardment on rebel forces, they say.

Syrian officials have denied the claims, saying they are an attempt to distract UN weapons inspectors.

The main opposition alliance said that more than 650 people had been killed by the attacks."

More below....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23777201

[Scott]

Any developments on who deployed the chemical weapons? What type of chemicals etc.?