Unrest In Syria -- News Updates December 13, 2011

Inside Syrian Regime, Hard-Liners Gain Upper Hand -- Christian Science Monitor

As both the Syrian regime and the opposition harden their positions, a nationwide strike aimed at bringing down President Assad through peaceful means looks unlikely to succeed.

Heavy clashes across Syria in recent days provide further evidence that the nine-month struggle to topple Syria's Assad regime is evolving into an armed conflict.

The intensified fighting coincides with yesterday's launch of a nationwide general strike intended to apply further pressure on the Syrian authorities. But its effectiveness in hastening President Bashar al-Assad’s downfall and averting a further descent into bloodshed looks doubtful.

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More News On The Unrest In Syria

Syria: UN raises death toll to 5,000 - Tuesday 13 December 2011 -- The Guardian
Syria's bloody uprising: reported deaths over 2011 -- The Guardian
Syria death toll hits 5,000 as insurgency spreads -- Reuters
Syria crackdown has killed 5,000 people, UN says -- CBS/AP
UN Says Syria Crackdown Death Toll Exceeds 5,000 -- Voice of America
Syrian defectors hit back as death toll tops 5,000 -- AFP
Syrian death toll climbs past 5,000 as protests give way to insurgency -- National Post
Diplomats Distressed About Syrian Unrest -- Voice of America

Violence in Syrian border province leaves 28 dead -- AP
Syrian Defectors Kill 7 Security Force Members in Revenge Attack -- Voice of America
Rebels kill Syria forces in retaliation for civilians -- Herald Sun
Activists: Syrian army defectors kill 7 government forces -- CNN
Terrorist attacks in Syria escalate along with international pressure -- Xinhuanet
Syrian opposition: Dying for foreign intervention? -- RT

Russia slams West for 'immoral' Syrian stance -- Al Jazeera
Russia rejects 'immoral' criticism over Syria -- Reuters
Russia accuses West of 'immoral' stance on Syria -- BBC

Syria need not fear the international criminal court – for now -- Ian Black, The Guardian
Syria uprising: timeline -- The Telegraph
Timeline: Crackdown on protests in Syria -- Reuters