ceasefire news stories on Newser

20 Dead in Syria in 2 Explosions

Mark Russell — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:14:00 CDT

Two large explosions rocked the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib, killing as many as 20 people, reports al-Jazeera . Both bombs exploded near air force intelligence and military security buildings, and most of those killed were members of security forces, although some civilians were also reported to be among the dead....

Syrian Military Doubles Down

Kevin Spak — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 06:59:37 CDT

Shells exploded and gunfire rang through the streets in several Syrian neighborhoods today, and security forces raided homes in Damascus, opposition groups said. Far from withdrawing, as required under the supposed ceasefire, security forces sent reinforcements, the group said. At least nine people were killed, including a child in the...

Kofi Annan Strikes UN Monitoring Deal

Kevin Spak — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 08:45:05 CDT

Kofi Annan today touted an agreement he has reached with Syria over how to handle the UN's 30-member advance monitoring team, outlining the "tasks and responsibilities" of the government. An Annan spokesman tells the AP that he's having "similar discussions" with rebels. The team is supposed to ensure that both...

Syrian Ceasefire Blows Up

Kevin Spak — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:02:56 CDT

Syria's tattered ceasefire appears to have basically collapsed, with activists accusing the regime of rampant and brazen violations yesterday, including sending helicopters to fire on rebels holed up in mountain villages, and shelling at least two cities, the New York Times reports. They reported death tolls as high as 50....

UN Monitors Arrive as Syria Shells Homs

Mary Papenfuss — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:06:00 CDT

The first UN monitors have arrived in Syria just as the promised ceasefire appears to be going up in smoke with the government's shelling of Homs. Some 25 were killed in attacks yesterday, reports the BBC . Six UN observers have arrived in Damascus. The remaining 25 are expected to arrive...

UN Will Send Team to Watch Shaky Syrian Truce

John Johnson — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 10:49:06 CDT

The UN Security Council agreed today to send observers to Syria to monitor the 3-day-old ceasefire, even as reports surfaced that said ceasefire isn't holding . The council agreed unanimously to send a small advance party, despite some misgivings from Russia, reports the BBC . The team is expected to leave quickly,...

On Day 3 of Ceasefire, Shelling Hits Syrian City

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 06:55:44 CDT

Syrian troops and rebel gunmen carried out attacks across Syria today, killing at least nine people in a surge of violence that threatened a UN-brokered ceasefire. The bloodshed came as the Security Council considered whether to send the first wave of military observers to monitor the fragile truce. The heaviest...

1 Dead as Syria Protests Test Ceasefire

Matt Cantor — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:47:41 CDT

Syria's fragile ceasefire seems to be largely holding, as renewed protests today put it to its first real test. But one Hama protester was shot dead by security forces as thousands of protesters again took to the streets, reports the BBC, while the New York Times notes that clashes had...

Syrians Actually Cease Fire

Kevin Spak — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:52:48 CDT

Against all odds, both sides appear to be more or less honoring this morning's ceasefire deadline in Syria. Though the night saw heavy fighting, in most places the gunfire stopped by dawn. "Everywhere is quiet," a Syrian Observatory for Human Rights official tells the Washington Post . "We have no shooting...