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Syria crisis: US fears Aleppo 'massacre' - live updates Syria crisis: US fears Aleppo 'massacre' - live updates
(40 minutes later)
11.02am: More on the defection of Aleppop MP Ikhlas al-Badawi. A clip of her interview on Sky News Arabia is available here. Rima Cherri translates her saying: 11.54am: International mediator Kofi Annan is still trying to forge a political solution to the Syria crisis despite being made a scapegoat for the failure of the two sides to agree, a source close to the mediation effort told Reuters today.
Annan and UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon were meeting in London to discuss the future of mediation efforts and the UN observer mission, and the Syria "Action Group" may meet again soon, but not at ministerial level, the source said.
The source described the latest veto of a UN security council resolution on Syria as "a trainwreck", but said it was encouraging to see opposition figures coming together, although they needed to "hurry up" to form a cohesive group.
11.51am: It is just a matter of time before President Assad's government falls, General Robert Mood, outgoing head of the UN monitoring mission in Syria, told Reuters today:
In my opinion it is only a matter of time before a regime that is using such heavy military power and disproportional violence against the civilian population is going to fall.
11.42am: In a new video statement Riad al-Asaad, the Turkey-based leader of the FSA, said:
We are all united, whatever our religion or sect is. Our enemy is one and the danger falls on us all. We say to our Kurdish people, you are a group among the Syrian people. Don't follow those who want to divide us and waste the blood of our martyrs. We say we are Syrian first, then we say we are Arabs, and Turkmen, and Christians and other.
11.40am: The Israeli military is reinforcing its security infrastructure between the occupied Golan Heights and Syria in anticipation of a potential influx of refugees or attempts by fighters to cross over the demarcation line, our Jerusalem-based reporter Harriet Sherwood writes.
A fence which runs along the 1973 ceasefire line, drawn at the end of the Yom Kippur war, is being strengthened and surveillance equipment increased. According to one report in the Israel media, ditches have been dug to deter infiltrators. The Israeli Defence Forces is also reported to have raised its alert level and cancelled weekend leave in some units.
The IDF is concerned that fighting between the Syrian regime and the opposition Free Syrian Army is moving closer to the Golan Heights. Defence minister Ehud Barak heard shelling and saw clouds of smoke while touring the Golan last week. Since his visit, some tourists have visited a viewing point near the Quneitra crossing to photograph and film military action in Syria.
The IDF's main concern is attempts by "terrorist organisations" to cross into the Golan Heights, but it is also preparing for the possibility of refugees seeking a safe haven from the civil war.
11.39am: On the Telegraph's website, Michael Weiss looks at the recent agreement between Syria's two main Kurdish groups – the Kurdish National Council (KNC) and the Democratic Union party (PYD) – to set up a Supreme Kurdish Council with the aim of co-ordinating their efforts.
It remains to be seen whether they can work together harmoniously. Weiss points out that the PYD is the Syrian arm of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) which Turkey considers a terrorist organisation. "Moreover," Weiss adds, "the PYD was formerly seen to have allied with Assad's military intelligence apparatus and suspicion is rife as to what its volte-face as a pro-revolutionary party represents."
However, Kurdish relations with the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) seem to be improving. Abdulhakim Bashar, the former chairman of the KNC who now heads its foreign affairs committee, is quoted as saying:
Our relation with the Syrian National Council is good. Despite the main role of the Muslim Brotherhood in the SNC, our communications with the various Syrian opposition factions have so far proved that the SNC is the most responsive frame and closest to our vision about the future of Syria and the strategy of solution for the Kurdish issue in spite of the other differences between us in many national issues.
I think the SNC is now working more realistically and with more responsibility than before, this could be because its new president is more familiar with the Syrian issues or perhaps the practical experiment of the SNC have given it more experience on various issues.
11.29am: The live streaming site Bambuser has broadcast footage showing a demonstration in Aleppo today.
One of the placards in the clip thanks a Free Syrian Army brigade, called "General Unity", for liberating the city.
It gave today's date and gave the location as al-Shaar, a north east district of the city.
11.02am: More on the defection of Aleppo MP Ikhlas al-Badawi. A clip of her interview on Sky News Arabia is available here. Rima Cherri translates her saying:
I have crossed to Turkey and defected from this tyrannical regime, because of the repression and savage torture against a nation demanding its basic rights.I have crossed to Turkey and defected from this tyrannical regime, because of the repression and savage torture against a nation demanding its basic rights.
What made me take this decision was the revolution and the legitimacy of the people and their right for freedom and dignity. People's demands to live as free citizens have prompted the use of every method of repression in order to silence these demands. Everyday, I see more massacres, it's happening on the land of Syria, with the use of strange machines and tools.What made me take this decision was the revolution and the legitimacy of the people and their right for freedom and dignity. People's demands to live as free citizens have prompted the use of every method of repression in order to silence these demands. Everyday, I see more massacres, it's happening on the land of Syria, with the use of strange machines and tools.
I have lived through this reality in my own town of al-Atareb [west of Aleppo]. I thought it is my duty to leave the regimeI have lived through this reality in my own town of al-Atareb [west of Aleppo]. I thought it is my duty to leave the regime
10.44am: There is some video corroboration for Javier Espinosa's report of a helicopter over Aleppo.10.44am: There is some video corroboration for Javier Espinosa's report of a helicopter over Aleppo.
The voice over on the clip gives today's date and adds: "Aircraft bomb in the neighbourhood of Salahaddine, in Aleppo."The voice over on the clip gives today's date and adds: "Aircraft bomb in the neighbourhood of Salahaddine, in Aleppo."
(Our colleague Rima Cherri provided the translation.)(Our colleague Rima Cherri provided the translation.)
10.40am: 10.39am: The government news agency Sana is back online this morning after a couple of days' absence, though pages are slow to load.10.40am: 10.39am: The government news agency Sana is back online this morning after a couple of days' absence, though pages are slow to load.
Sana's summary of yesterday's events talks of "qualitative and courageous operations" in al-Hajar al-Aswad and al-Yarmouk neighbourhoods in Damascus, where it says "terrorists were spreading inside the populated areas and taking civilians as human shields".Sana's summary of yesterday's events talks of "qualitative and courageous operations" in al-Hajar al-Aswad and al-Yarmouk neighbourhoods in Damascus, where it says "terrorists were spreading inside the populated areas and taking civilians as human shields".
Sana, along with many others, warns of an impending massacre in Aleppo (which it blames on terrorists):Sana, along with many others, warns of an impending massacre in Aleppo (which it blames on terrorists):
In Aleppo, the armed terrorist groups kidnapped civilians from al-Mashhad, Salaheddine, Saif al-Daula and al-Ansari neighborhoods in Aleppo preparing to commit another massacre against the Syrians.In Aleppo, the armed terrorist groups kidnapped civilians from al-Mashhad, Salaheddine, Saif al-Daula and al-Ansari neighborhoods in Aleppo preparing to commit another massacre against the Syrians.
Units from the armed forces clashed with armed terrorist groups in Salaheddine and al-Sukari neighbourhoods in Aleppo.Units from the armed forces clashed with armed terrorist groups in Salaheddine and al-Sukari neighbourhoods in Aleppo.
Sana's English-language Twitter feed sprang to live again yesterday evening after more than two days' silence.Sana's English-language Twitter feed sprang to live again yesterday evening after more than two days' silence.
10.36am: The Spanish journalist Javier Espinosa, who escaped from Homs earlier this year, is back in Syria to report the sound of a helicopter over Aleppo.10.36am: The Spanish journalist Javier Espinosa, who escaped from Homs earlier this year, is back in Syria to report the sound of a helicopter over Aleppo.
I can hear the sound of 1 helicopter shooting not far away,like in Gaza here you have always to be looking to the sky #Aleppo #SyriaI can hear the sound of 1 helicopter shooting not far away,like in Gaza here you have always to be looking to the sky #Aleppo #Syria
— JAVIER ESPINOSA (@javierespinosa2) July 27, 2012— JAVIER ESPINOSA (@javierespinosa2) July 27, 2012
10.17am: UN human rights chief Navi Pillay (pictured) has appealed to both Syrian government forces and rebels to spare civilians in Aleppo, voicing deep concern at the "likelihood of an imminent major confrontation" in the city.10.17am: UN human rights chief Navi Pillay (pictured) has appealed to both Syrian government forces and rebels to spare civilians in Aleppo, voicing deep concern at the "likelihood of an imminent major confrontation" in the city.
"Civilians and civilian objects – including homes and other property, businesses, schools and places of worship – must be protected at all times. All parties, including the government and opposition forces, must ensure that they distinguish between civilian and military targets," Pillay said in a statement reported by Reuters."Civilians and civilian objects – including homes and other property, businesses, schools and places of worship – must be protected at all times. All parties, including the government and opposition forces, must ensure that they distinguish between civilian and military targets," Pillay said in a statement reported by Reuters.
She said a "discernable pattern" had emerged as President Assad's forces attempt – using intense shelling, tank fire and door-to-door searches – to clear areas of Syria's biggest urban centre they say are occupied by insurgents.She said a "discernable pattern" had emerged as President Assad's forces attempt – using intense shelling, tank fire and door-to-door searches – to clear areas of Syria's biggest urban centre they say are occupied by insurgents.
"All this, taken along with the reported build-up of forces in and around Aleppo, bodes ill for the people of that city," Pillay said, adding that such attacks were also continuing in two other major cities, Homs and Deir al-Zor."All this, taken along with the reported build-up of forces in and around Aleppo, bodes ill for the people of that city," Pillay said, adding that such attacks were also continuing in two other major cities, Homs and Deir al-Zor.
She said her office had also been receiving an increasing number of reports of opposition fighters torturing or executing prisoners.She said her office had also been receiving an increasing number of reports of opposition fighters torturing or executing prisoners.
10.10am: An activist in Aleppo has been in touch with the Guardian to plead for help.10.10am: An activist in Aleppo has been in touch with the Guardian to plead for help.
Edwardedark contacted our Middle East editor Ian Black via Twitter to say:Edwardedark contacted our Middle East editor Ian Black via Twitter to say:
You must warn of an impending huge humanitarian disaster in Aleppo city if there is a large regime assault. Please, I'm talking thousands of lives here. Already we are without fuel, electricity, water, bread and other basics. An assault will kill thousands, all civilians.You must warn of an impending huge humanitarian disaster in Aleppo city if there is a large regime assault. Please, I'm talking thousands of lives here. Already we are without fuel, electricity, water, bread and other basics. An assault will kill thousands, all civilians.
9.02am: Violence in Aleppo has forced the the Red Crescent to suspend some of its activities in the city, a spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross told the Guardian.9.02am: Violence in Aleppo has forced the the Red Crescent to suspend some of its activities in the city, a spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross told the Guardian.
In an email he said:In an email he said:
I can confirm that the SARC [Syrian Arab Red Crescent] branch in Aleppo has had to suspend some of its activity (mainly first aid services) and reduce other work because of the situation in the city.I can confirm that the SARC [Syrian Arab Red Crescent] branch in Aleppo has had to suspend some of its activity (mainly first aid services) and reduce other work because of the situation in the city.
More details about the suspension are expected later today, he said.More details about the suspension are expected later today, he said.
8.48am: Defector Manaf Tlass, who met Turkey's foreign minister foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Thursday (pictured), is being groomed as Syria's Ahmed Chalabi, Dan Murphy argues in the Christian Science Monitor.8.48am: Defector Manaf Tlass, who met Turkey's foreign minister foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Thursday (pictured), is being groomed as Syria's Ahmed Chalabi, Dan Murphy argues in the Christian Science Monitor.
But he says that Tlass is unlikely to make it to power as Chalabi did in Iraq.But he says that Tlass is unlikely to make it to power as Chalabi did in Iraq.
Most people who follow Syria doubt the rebels who have been fighting since early last year against the Assad regime will have much time for Tlass ...Most people who follow Syria doubt the rebels who have been fighting since early last year against the Assad regime will have much time for Tlass ...
Tlass is a child of wealth and privilege, closely associated with the abuses of the Assad regime, who only recently jumped ship. His star is unlikely to rise as quickly among Syria's rebels as it did among the Baath regime he served for so long.Tlass is a child of wealth and privilege, closely associated with the abuses of the Assad regime, who only recently jumped ship. His star is unlikely to rise as quickly among Syria's rebels as it did among the Baath regime he served for so long.
8.26am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live.8.26am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live.
The main focus continues to be Syria's economic hub Aleppo where rebels remain braced for an assault by President Bashar al-Assad's forces amid mounting international fears over what could happen.The main focus continues to be Syria's economic hub Aleppo where rebels remain braced for an assault by President Bashar al-Assad's forces amid mounting international fears over what could happen.
Here's a roundup of the latest developments:Here's a roundup of the latest developments:
• Government forces still appear to be preparing for a fully-fledged counter-offensive on Aleppo after another day of artillery and helicopter fire against rebel-held districts. Syrian special forces had been deployed on the edge of town and more troops were due to arrive for an attack today or tomorrow, a state security source told the AFP news agency. One resident told the Guardian:• Government forces still appear to be preparing for a fully-fledged counter-offensive on Aleppo after another day of artillery and helicopter fire against rebel-held districts. Syrian special forces had been deployed on the edge of town and more troops were due to arrive for an attack today or tomorrow, a state security source told the AFP news agency. One resident told the Guardian:
We have a very bad feeling that things are going to turn into a catastrophe very soon with army reinforcements arriving already. We have the regime randomly shelling highly populated areas causing many casualties.We have a very bad feeling that things are going to turn into a catastrophe very soon with army reinforcements arriving already. We have the regime randomly shelling highly populated areas causing many casualties.
Hospitals are not coping. There is no bread or fuel. There are many displaced families staying on the streets or in parks, or in makeshift shelters in schools. They are very vulnerable. People are bracing themselves for the worst.Hospitals are not coping. There is no bread or fuel. There are many displaced families staying on the streets or in parks, or in makeshift shelters in schools. They are very vulnerable. People are bracing themselves for the worst.
• Aleppo is now a patchwork of localised conflict, with death and mayhem in one district and the appearance of something like normality in the next, Michael Peel reports for the Financial Times from inside the city.• Aleppo is now a patchwork of localised conflict, with death and mayhem in one district and the appearance of something like normality in the next, Michael Peel reports for the Financial Times from inside the city.
In the town centre, some shops were shuttered in the district around the Sheraton hotel and the Christian area of the old city, but there was still plenty of life among vendors who still felt sufficiently secure to fill the pavements with children's bikes and mannequins modelling tight women's jeans.In the town centre, some shops were shuttered in the district around the Sheraton hotel and the Christian area of the old city, but there was still plenty of life among vendors who still felt sufficiently secure to fill the pavements with children's bikes and mannequins modelling tight women's jeans.
In Salaheddin, by contrast, many residents have left and those who remain have become normalised to the lack of electricity, sporadic gunfire and the threat of what the rebel fighters say is an army base in a football stadium just outside the district's boundaries.In Salaheddin, by contrast, many residents have left and those who remain have become normalised to the lack of electricity, sporadic gunfire and the threat of what the rebel fighters say is an army base in a football stadium just outside the district's boundaries.
• The US says it fears that the Assad regime is "lining up" to commit a "massacre" in Aleppo, but it has repeated its reluctance to intervene in the conflict. Speaking to reporters, State department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, said:• The US says it fears that the Assad regime is "lining up" to commit a "massacre" in Aleppo, but it has repeated its reluctance to intervene in the conflict. Speaking to reporters, State department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, said:
We have grave concerns about the situation in and around Aleppo and obviously Damascus ... Aleppo has again ... been bombarded by Syrian fighter jets in the latest desperate effort of the Assad regime to hold onto control, and there are credible reports of columns of tanks prepared to attack the city.We have grave concerns about the situation in and around Aleppo and obviously Damascus ... Aleppo has again ... been bombarded by Syrian fighter jets in the latest desperate effort of the Assad regime to hold onto control, and there are credible reports of columns of tanks prepared to attack the city.
On military intervention, she said:On military intervention, she said:
We do not believe that pouring more fuel on this fire is going to save lives. The vast majority of Syrians continue not to want foreign military intervention, more weapons flowing into their country. Instead, they want an end to this violence, they want Assad to leave, they want the violence to end, and they want the political transition to begin.We do not believe that pouring more fuel on this fire is going to save lives. The vast majority of Syrians continue not to want foreign military intervention, more weapons flowing into their country. Instead, they want an end to this violence, they want Assad to leave, they want the violence to end, and they want the political transition to begin.
• Rebels in al-Bab, 20 miles east of Aleppo, face a dilemma over whether to join the battle for Aleppo or stay to defend the town from a possible counter-attack, Damien McElroy reports for the Telegraph. He writes:• Rebels in al-Bab, 20 miles east of Aleppo, face a dilemma over whether to join the battle for Aleppo or stay to defend the town from a possible counter-attack, Damien McElroy reports for the Telegraph. He writes:
The rebels who captured al-Bab are short of supplies. Individual fighters are forced to share assault rifles and often possess only a few dozen rounds of ammunition ...The rebels who captured al-Bab are short of supplies. Individual fighters are forced to share assault rifles and often possess only a few dozen rounds of ammunition ...
Outside Aleppo, even apparently straightforward mopping-up operations have exposed the rebels' weakness. When they attacked a police station near al-Bab, one fighter was killed and the rest declared failure and withdrew.Outside Aleppo, even apparently straightforward mopping-up operations have exposed the rebels' weakness. When they attacked a police station near al-Bab, one fighter was killed and the rest declared failure and withdrew.


• UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon used a memorial service to the victims of the 1995 massacre in Srebrenica to invoke the international community's duty to protect civilians in Syria. He said:

• UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon used a memorial service to the victims of the 1995 massacre in Srebrenica to invoke the international community's duty to protect civilians in Syria. He said:
The international community must be united not to see any further bloodshed in Syria because I do not want to see any of my successors, after 20 years, visiting Syria, apologizing for what we could have done now to protect the civilians in Syria – which we are not doing now.The international community must be united not to see any further bloodshed in Syria because I do not want to see any of my successors, after 20 years, visiting Syria, apologizing for what we could have done now to protect the civilians in Syria – which we are not doing now.
• An MP from Aleppo province has become the first member of the newly elected, and largely loyal parliament, to defect. Ikhlas al-Badawi told Sky New Arabia: "I have crossed to Turkey and defected from this tyrannical regime ... because of the repression and savage torture against a nation demanding the minimum of rights."• An MP from Aleppo province has become the first member of the newly elected, and largely loyal parliament, to defect. Ikhlas al-Badawi told Sky New Arabia: "I have crossed to Turkey and defected from this tyrannical regime ... because of the repression and savage torture against a nation demanding the minimum of rights."
• Manaf Tlass, the most senior defector from the Assad regime so far, has held talks with Turkish officials in Ankara, as part of an apparent bid to try to form a transition government, the Turkish newspaper Zaman reports. Earlier he said would cooperate with every person who wants to rebuild Syria, "be it the [Syria] National Council or the Free Syria Army.• Manaf Tlass, the most senior defector from the Assad regime so far, has held talks with Turkish officials in Ankara, as part of an apparent bid to try to form a transition government, the Turkish newspaper Zaman reports. Earlier he said would cooperate with every person who wants to rebuild Syria, "be it the [Syria] National Council or the Free Syria Army.
• Human Rights Watch has called on the Syrian government to grant UN observers full access to Homs and Aleppo central prisons to check on prisoners who may be at risk of violent reprisals following prison riots earlier this week. Sarah Leah Whitson, the group's Middle East director, said: "The uncertainty surrounding the fate of inmates in Homs and Aleppo shows the urgent need for UN monitors to get inside these prisons and publicly report on their findings."• Human Rights Watch has called on the Syrian government to grant UN observers full access to Homs and Aleppo central prisons to check on prisoners who may be at risk of violent reprisals following prison riots earlier this week. Sarah Leah Whitson, the group's Middle East director, said: "The uncertainty surrounding the fate of inmates in Homs and Aleppo shows the urgent need for UN monitors to get inside these prisons and publicly report on their findings."