By Rand Paul
Obama acts as though we no longer have a Constitution
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
Israeli warplanes struck areas in and around the Syrian capital of Damascus on Sunday, setting off a series of explosions as they targeted a shipment of highly accurate, Iranian-made guided missiles believed to be bound for Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group, officials and activists said.
A Syrian warplane blasted a gas station near Damascus on Wednesday, killing and wounding dozens of people and igniting a huge fire in what could be one of the bloodiest attacks in weeks during the 22-month civil war.
The United Nations estimated Wednesday that more than 60,000 people have been killed in Syria's 21-month-old uprising against authoritarian rule, a toll one-third higher than what anti-regime activists had counted. The U.N. human rights chief called the toll "truly shocking."
Syrian rebels stepped up their siege of a military base in north of the country Friday as government warplanes bombed surrounding areas to support the defenders, activists said.
Syrian rebels fully captured a northern town near the Turkish border on Tuesday after weeks of siege and heavy fighting.
Syrian warplanes launched 60 airstrikes against rebel targets around the country on Monday, the most intense air raids across the country since the uprising began 19 months ago, according to anti-regime activists. The suburbs of the capital Damascus were particularly hard hit.
Syrians took to the streets for the largest anti-regime protests in months in several cities Friday, taking advantage a lull in fighting as a cease-fire took effect at the start of a Muslim holiday. But scattered violence including battles over a northern military base and a Damascus suburb illustrated the difficulty of maintaining even a limited truce.
Syrian warplanes and artillery pounded the central city of Homs on Friday, subjecting the rebel stronghold to its heaviest bombardment in months, activists said.
The Syrian foreign minister accused the U.S. and its allies of stoking "terrorism" in his country, delivering an uncompromising message before the United Nations on Monday as fighting spread in a centerpiece of Syria's cultural heritage, the historic Old City of Aleppo.
Syrian warplanes bombed two buildings Monday in the northern city of Aleppo, killing at least five people, including three children from the same family, activists said.
Syrian warplanes bombed two buildings on Monday in the northern city of Aleppo, killing at least five people, including three children from the same family, activists said.
France's decision to send direct aid to Syria's opposition represents a break for the rebels after months of Western hesitation over fears that costly equipment intended for Syria's opposition could get lost or fall into the wrong hands. But even the French action, rebels and activists say, amounts to so little that it's all but useless.
Emboldened Syrian rebels launched a major operation in the north, targeting security compounds and bases around the country's largest city of Aleppo, activists said Friday.
Syrian government forces on Monday heavily shelled the cities of Aleppo and Daraa and a suburb of Damascus on the second day of a major Muslim holiday, killing up to 30 people, rights groups and activists said.
Gunmen detonated back-to-back roadside bombs and clashed with police in central Damascus Saturday in attacks that caused no damage but highlighted the ability of rebels to breach the intense security near President Bashar Assad's power bases.
He said the smell of the fire caused by the air raid near Qasioun was noticeable miles away.
Israeli warplanes again strike Syria, target Iran-made guided missiles →
Mohammed Saeed, another activist who lives in the Damascus suburb of Douma, said "the explosions were so strong that earth shook under us."
Israeli warplanes again strike Syria, target Iran-made guided missiles →
