Syria regime expanding use of banned cluster bombs, report says March 16, 2013 - 11:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An international human rights group says the Syrian regime is expanding its use of widely banned cluster bombs in attacks on residential areas, AP reported. Such bombs open in flight, scattering smaller bomblets. They pose a threat to civilians long afterwards since many don't explode immediately. Human Rights Watch said Saturday, March 16 that at least 156 cluster bombs were used in 119 locations across Syria in the past six months. It says two strikes in the past two weeks killed 11 civilians, including two women and five children. The group says it based the report on field investigations and analysis of more than 450 amateur videos. The Syria conflict was sparked by an uprising against President Bashar Assad that turned into a civil war. Long deadlocked, it entered its third year Saturday. Partner news  Top stories U.S. officials say they want to advance efforts to start talks between the Syrian government and opposition leaders. The international conference, backed by Russia and the U.S., aims to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria. Nuland, a career foreign service officer who was until recently State's top spokesperson, was expected to be nominated the post. Alkhatib said Assad should respond within 20 days and that he should then be given a month to dissolve parliament.   Partner news |  Latest news Israeli security expert says Syrian hacker attack foiled  Israel refuses to comment on the strike but officials at the time said Iranian missiles set for Hezbollah were hit.Gyumri to host Europe Day celebrations The celebrations will feature a small information fair, with EU project representatives to brief the visitors on the initiatives launched.1st Armenian interactive fairy tale available for iPhone/iPod Touch The tale sparked great interest in Diaspora. Such projects, namely interactive version of “Alice in Wonderland”, are popular abroad.Expert says Russian FM’s remarks in context of Madrid Principles No decisive developments will follow the meeting between Russian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers, David Jamalyan said. |
