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Syrian Forces Seen Stepping Up Air Attacks on Rebels Syrian Forces Seen Stepping Up Air Attacks on Rebels
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WASHINGTON — The forces of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria have substantially stepped up their air attacks, exploiting a crucial offensive advantage against Syrian rebels, according to American intelligence reports.WASHINGTON — The forces of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria have substantially stepped up their air attacks, exploiting a crucial offensive advantage against Syrian rebels, according to American intelligence reports.
The reports paint an increasingly dire picture of the war in Syria as top Obama administration officials met Wednesday to review military options to help the rebels reverse their deteriorating position.The reports paint an increasingly dire picture of the war in Syria as top Obama administration officials met Wednesday to review military options to help the rebels reverse their deteriorating position.
The Syrian military’s use of warplanes and helicopters has increased. It has carried out at least 500 air-to-ground attacks against rebels and civilians in May, according to the intelligence reports, which were described by officials who declined to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss them. The Syrian military’s use of warplanes and helicopters has increased. It carried out at least 500 air-to-ground attacks against rebels and civilians in May, according to the intelligence reports, which were described by officials who declined to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss them.
Several hundred transport flights moved Syrian government troops, allied Hezbollah fighters and supplies around the battlefield last month, the reports said.Several hundred transport flights moved Syrian government troops, allied Hezbollah fighters and supplies around the battlefield last month, the reports said.
The Obama administration has long insisted that Mr. Assad’s days in power are numbered and that it is only a matter of time before he is toppled. But the intelligence reports indicate that the Assad government has regained the tactical initiative, drawing on Hezbollah fighters, Syria government militias and its advantage in heavy weaponry.The Obama administration has long insisted that Mr. Assad’s days in power are numbered and that it is only a matter of time before he is toppled. But the intelligence reports indicate that the Assad government has regained the tactical initiative, drawing on Hezbollah fighters, Syria government militias and its advantage in heavy weaponry.
The government’s capture of Qusayr, a major town near the border with Lebanon, has enabled Mr. Assad’s forces to cut an important rebel supply line. Syrian government helicopters have been flying Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiite fighters so they can join in an anticipated offensive to take control of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, according to American officials and members of the Syrian opposition.The government’s capture of Qusayr, a major town near the border with Lebanon, has enabled Mr. Assad’s forces to cut an important rebel supply line. Syrian government helicopters have been flying Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiite fighters so they can join in an anticipated offensive to take control of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, according to American officials and members of the Syrian opposition.
The Syrian opposition has long implored the West to equip it with effective antitank and antiaircraft weapons. But in the past week, appeals from the rebels have become increasingly urgent and at times almost desperate.The Syrian opposition has long implored the West to equip it with effective antitank and antiaircraft weapons. But in the past week, appeals from the rebels have become increasingly urgent and at times almost desperate.
Stung by the setbacks, Gen. Salim Idris, the head of the rebels’ military wing, said last Friday that his forces were virtually powerless to deal with the Syrian government’s air attacks and had only a fraction of the necessary ammunition.Stung by the setbacks, Gen. Salim Idris, the head of the rebels’ military wing, said last Friday that his forces were virtually powerless to deal with the Syrian government’s air attacks and had only a fraction of the necessary ammunition.
In a recent conversation with a senior State Department official, General Idris emphasized that if the United States intended to help the rebel fighters, now was the time because otherwise it might be too late, a member of the Syrian opposition said.In a recent conversation with a senior State Department official, General Idris emphasized that if the United States intended to help the rebel fighters, now was the time because otherwise it might be too late, a member of the Syrian opposition said.
One result of the changed fortunes on the battlefield, according to American officials, is that the credibility of the moderate Syrian opposition, which the United States has been publicly backing, may have been diminished and that extremist factions may gain influence.One result of the changed fortunes on the battlefield, according to American officials, is that the credibility of the moderate Syrian opposition, which the United States has been publicly backing, may have been diminished and that extremist factions may gain influence.
Britain and France have indicated that they would be prepared to provide arms to the rebels in August after an anticipated international peace conference. But that conference, envisioned for June, has now been deferred. Britain and France have indicated that they might be prepared to provide arms to the rebels in August after an anticipated international peace conference. But that conference, envisioned for June, has now been deferred.
Secretary of State John Kerry conferred here on Wednesday with the British foreign secretary, William Hague, who told reporters that Mr. Assad appeared determined to press the fight with the rebels with the help of Hezbollah and Iran.Secretary of State John Kerry conferred here on Wednesday with the British foreign secretary, William Hague, who told reporters that Mr. Assad appeared determined to press the fight with the rebels with the help of Hezbollah and Iran.
“The regime appears to be preparing new assaults, endangering the lives and safety of hundreds of thousands of Syrians who are already in desperate need,” said Mr. Hague, who added that the brutality of its recent attacks “beggars belief.”“The regime appears to be preparing new assaults, endangering the lives and safety of hundreds of thousands of Syrians who are already in desperate need,” said Mr. Hague, who added that the brutality of its recent attacks “beggars belief.”
In Paris, France’s foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, argued for speeding weapons to rebel fighters. But he and Mr. Hague would not commit themselves on Wednesday to expediting arms deliveries.In Paris, France’s foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, argued for speeding weapons to rebel fighters. But he and Mr. Hague would not commit themselves on Wednesday to expediting arms deliveries.
“We must stop this advance,” Mr. Fabius said on France 2 television. “For the soldiers of the resistance, they must have weapons because Assad has planes, powerful weapons and has used chemical weapons. We shouldn’t arm them for the sake of arming them, but there has to be a rebalancing.”“We must stop this advance,” Mr. Fabius said on France 2 television. “For the soldiers of the resistance, they must have weapons because Assad has planes, powerful weapons and has used chemical weapons. We shouldn’t arm them for the sake of arming them, but there has to be a rebalancing.”
With the Obama administration still reviewing options, the State Department announced a modest measure on Wednesday to help the opposition.With the Obama administration still reviewing options, the State Department announced a modest measure on Wednesday to help the opposition.
It will lift sanctions on American exports to areas of Syria under the control of opposition forces, easing a sweeping ban on all trade with the country that was imposed after the war began.It will lift sanctions on American exports to areas of Syria under the control of opposition forces, easing a sweeping ban on all trade with the country that was imposed after the war began.
The move will grant corporations — with a special license from the Treasury Department — to sell products related to water supply, agriculture and food processing, power generation, schools, and oil and natural gas production, though only in areas firmly out of Mr. Assad’s control.The move will grant corporations — with a special license from the Treasury Department — to sell products related to water supply, agriculture and food processing, power generation, schools, and oil and natural gas production, though only in areas firmly out of Mr. Assad’s control.
The easing will not allow the sales of weaponry or other military matériel, which remained the focus of the administration’s internal debates this week.The easing will not allow the sales of weaponry or other military matériel, which remained the focus of the administration’s internal debates this week.
“What we have been pushing for, all of us involved in this effort, is a political solution that ends the violence, saves Syria, stops the killing and destruction of an entire nation,” Mr. Kerry said. “So it’s not a question to me whether or not the opposition can, quote, ‘win.’ It’s a question of whether or not we can get to this political solution.”“What we have been pushing for, all of us involved in this effort, is a political solution that ends the violence, saves Syria, stops the killing and destruction of an entire nation,” Mr. Kerry said. “So it’s not a question to me whether or not the opposition can, quote, ‘win.’ It’s a question of whether or not we can get to this political solution.”
Mr. Kerry and Mr. Hague emphasized that they remained committed to a political solution, though the prospects of the international conference, which was first announced in Moscow more than a month ago, have faded. General Idris had said he would not attend until the rebels received fresh arms and ammunition and their leverage in a potential peace conference was improved.Mr. Kerry and Mr. Hague emphasized that they remained committed to a political solution, though the prospects of the international conference, which was first announced in Moscow more than a month ago, have faded. General Idris had said he would not attend until the rebels received fresh arms and ammunition and their leverage in a potential peace conference was improved.

Steven Lee Myers contributed reporting.

Steven Lee Myers contributed reporting.