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February 12, 2013

Rebels Seize Hydropower Dam; Regime Open to Talks Abroad 
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Armed rebels have seized Syria's largest hydro-electric dam amidst
ongoing fighting in the capital Damascus. The news comes as rebels are
also preparing an offensive to seize the eastern city of Deir al-Zor, a
move that would bring them control of an entire province for the first
time. At least 13 people were killed and dozens wounded when a bus
exploded near Syria's border with Turkey. Speaking at a public event in
New York, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon continued to warn Syria is
being torn apart.

Ban Ki-moon: "Syria is self-destructive. After nearly two years, we no
longer count days and hours but in bodies. Another day, another hundred,
two hundred, three hundred dead. Fighting rages, sectarian hatred is on
the rise. The catastrophe, the catalogue of war crimes is mounting.
Sexual violence is widespread. The destruction is systematic. Syria is
being torn apart, limb by limb."

Amidst the unrelenting violence, both the Assad regime and the
opposition are opening the window to potential negotiations. Responding
to a rebel offer for talks in the opposition-controlled north, the Assad
regime said Monday it is willing to meet anywhere abroad. In an
interview, Assad cabinet member Ali Haidar said he would sit down with
opposition leader Moaz al-Khatib "in any foreign city ... to discuss
preparations for a national dialogue."

 

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