US floats coalition on Syria
Syrians stand near the body of a man local residents say was an activist who was tortured to death by the Syrian government and dumped by the side of the road in Idlib, northern Syria, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. The commander of rebel Syrian soldiers said Sunday there is no choice but to use military force to drive President Bashar Assad's regime from power as fears mounted that government troops will escalate their deadly crackdown on dissent after Russia and China vetoed a U.N. resolution aimed at resolving the crisis. (AP Photo)
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar Assad takes part of a religious ceremony marking the birth of Islam's Prophet Mohammad, at al-Rawda mosque, in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday Feb. 5, 2012. The commander of a force of rebel Syrian soldiers says they have no choice now but to fight to free the country of President Bashar Assad's regime after Russia and China vetoed a U.N. resolution aimed at resolving the crisis. (AP Photo/SANA) EDITORIAL USE ONLY
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar Assad, left, prays next to the Syrian grand mufti Ahmad Hassoun, second left, during a ceremony marking the birth of Islam's Prophet Mohammad, at al-Rawda mosque, in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday Feb. 5, 2012. The commander of a force of rebel Syrian soldiers says they have no choice now but to fight to free the country of President Bashar Assad's regime after Russia and China vetoed a U.N. resolution aimed at resolving the crisis. (AP Photo/SANA) EDITORIAL USE ONLY
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar Assad, center, and Syrian grand mufti Ahmad Hassoun, right, pray during a ceremony marking the birth of Islam's Prophet Mohammad, at al-Rawda mosque, in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday Feb. 5, 2012. The commander of a force of rebel Syrian soldiers says they have no choice now but to fight to free the country of President Bashar Assad's regime after Russia and China vetoed a U.N. resolution aimed at resolving the crisis. (AP Photo/SANA) EDITORIAL USE ONLY
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar Assad, right, speaks with Syrian cleric men during a ceremony marking the birth of Islam's Prophet Mohammad, at al-Rawda mosque, in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday Feb. 5, 2012. The commander of a force of rebel Syrian soldiers says they have no choice now but to fight to free the country of President Bashar Assad's regime after Russia and China vetoed a U.N. resolution aimed at resolving the crisis. (AP Photo/SANA) EDITORIAL USE ONLY
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar Assad prays during a ceremony marking the birth of Islam's Prophet Mohammad, at al-Rawda mosque, in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday Feb. 5, 2012. The commander of a force of rebel Syrian soldiers says they have no choice now but to fight to free the country of President Bashar Assad's regime after Russia and China vetoed a U.N. resolution aimed at resolving the crisis. (AP Photo/SANA) EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Hundreds of Syrians living in Turkey and human right activists shout anti-Assad slogans as they stage a protest outside the Syrian consulate to condemn the latest killings by Syrian regime in Syria, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012.(AP Photo)
Hundreds of Syrians living in Turkey and human right activists shout anti-Assad stage a protest outside the Syrian consulate to condemn the latest killings by Syrian regime in Syria, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. The banners read: " Assad bombs mosques, Arab worls just watch" and " Assad has tanks, we have Allah ( God)."(AP Photo)
Hundreds of Syrians living in Turkey and human right activists shout anti-Assad stage a protest outside the Syrian consulate to condemn the latest killings by Syrian regime in Syria, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012.(AP Photo)
Protesters scuffle with riot police as they try to enter the Syrian consulate as hundreds of Syrians living in Turkey and human right activists stage a protest outside the Syrian consulate to condemn the latest killings by Syrian regime in Syria, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. (AP Photo)
An anti-Syrian regime protester chants slogans in front of the Russian embassy in Amman, Jordan, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution backing calls for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down, despite international outrage Saturday over a devastating bombardment of the city of Homs by his regime's forces. Activists said more than 200 were killed in the bloodiest episode of the nearly 11-month uprising. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)
Lebanese anti-Syrian regime protesters and supporters of the Islamic group Jamaa Islamiya carry revolutionary flags during a demonstration, where a number of Assad supporters were also protesting, in front the Russian embassy, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012.Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution backing calls for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down, despite international outrage Saturday over a devastating bombardment of the city of Homs by his regime's forces. Activists said more than 200 were killed in the bloodiest episode of the nearly 11-month uprising. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
In this citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria, Syrian mourners gather around the coffins of the victims who were killed early Saturday by the bombardment of mortars and rockets during a mass funeral procession, in Khaldiyeh neighborhood in Homs province, central Syria, on Saturday Feb. 4, 2012. Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution backing calls for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down, despite international outrage Saturday over a devastating bombardment of the city of Homs by his regime's forces. Activists said more than 200 were killed in the bloodiest episode of the nearly 11-month uprising. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO SALES, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO
A pro-Syrian regime protester rides his scooter with his two sons, while holding a Syrian flag bearing a picture of Syrian President Bashar Assad, as other protester in the background wave a Russian flag during a demonstration where a number of anti-Syrian regime protesters and supporters of the Islamic group Jamaa Islamiya were also protesting, in front the Russian embassy, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution backing calls for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down, despite international outrage Saturday over a devastating bombardment of the city of Homs by his regime's forces. Activists said more than 200 were killed in the bloodiest episode of the nearly 11-month uprising.(AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
An anti-Syrian regime protester and supporter of the Islamic group Jamaa Islamiya, who are opposed to Syrian President Bashar Assad, steps on Russian flags as he holds a poster depicting Syrian President Bashar Assad with Arabic words reading:" children killer and devourer of Syrian flesh," top center, Chinese President Hu Jintao, top left, and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, top right, during a demonstration where a number of supporters of of Assad were also protesting, in front the Russian embassy, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday Feb. 5, 2012. Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution backing calls for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down, despite international outrage Saturday over a devastating bombardment of the city of Homs by his regime's forces. Activists said more than 200 were killed in the bloodiest episode of the nearly 11-month uprising. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Pro-Syrian regime protesters chant slogans and wave national flags and portraits of President Bashar Assad during a demonstration, where anti-Syrian regime protesters and supporters of the Islamic group Jamaa Islamiya were also protesting, in front the Russian embassy, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution backing calls for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down, despite international outrage Saturday over a devastating bombardment of the city of Homs by his regime's forces. Activists said more than 200 were killed in the bloodiest episode of the nearly 11-month uprising. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Anti-Syrian regime protesters and supporters of the Islamic Group Jamaa Islamiya, who are opposed to Syrian President Bashar Assad, burn Russian and Chinese flags during a demonstration where a number of Assad supporters were also protesting, in front the Russian embassy, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution backing calls for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down, despite international outrage Saturday over a devastating bombardment of the city of Homs by his regime's forces. Activists said more than 200 were killed in the bloodiest episode of the nearly 11-month uprising. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Anti-Syrian regime protesters and supporters of the Islamic group Jamaa Islamiya, who are opposed to Syrian President Bashar Assad, burn a Russian flag during a demonstration where a number of Assad supporters were also protesting, in front the Russian embassy, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution backing calls for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down, despite international outrage Saturday over a devastating bombardment of the city of Homs by his regime's forces. Activists said more than 200 were killed in the bloodiest episode of the nearly 11-month uprising. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during a meeting with Roma business and NGO leaders for a roundtable at the American Embassy in Sofia, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrives on brief visit for talks with Bulgarian officials. (AP Photo/Jodi Hilton)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton along with other Bulgarian officials enters the news-conference hall in Sofia, Sunday, Feb 5, 2012. Clinton is in Bulgaria, urging the country to break its energy dependence on Russia by diversifying its oil and gas supplies. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)
BEIRUT — The United States proposed an international coalition to support Syria’s opposition Sunday after Russia and China blocked a U.N. attempt to end nearly 11 months of bloodshed, raising fears that violence will escalate. Rebel soldiers said force was now the only way to oust President Bashar Assad, while the regime vowed to press its military crackdown.
The threat of both sides turning to greater force after Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution raises the potential for Syria’s turmoil to move into even a more dangerous new phase that could degenerate into outright civil war.
The uprising inspired by other Arab Spring revolts began in March with peaceful protests against Assad’s regime, sparking a fierce crackdown by government forces. Soldiers who defected to join the uprising later began to protect protesters from attacks. In recent months, the rebel soldiers, known as the Free Syrian Army, have grown bolder, attacking regime troops and trying to establish control in pro-opposition areas. That has brought a heavier government response.
More than 5,400 people have been killed since March, according to the U.N., and now regime opponents fear that Assad will be emboldened by the feeling he is protected by his top ally Moscow and unleash even greater violence to crush protesters. If the opposition turns overtly to armed resistance, the result could be a dramatic increase in bloodshed.
At least 30 civilians were killed Sunday, including five children and a woman who was hit by a bullet while standing on her balcony as troops fired on protesters in a Damascus suburb, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an activist group.
Government forces firing mortars and heavy machine guns also battered the mountain town of Zabadani, north of Damascus, a significant opposition stronghold that fell under rebel control late last month. Bombardment the past two days has wounded dozens and forced scores of families to flee, an activist in the town said.
“The situation is terrifying. Makeshift hospitals are full,” said the activist, who only gave his first name, Fares, for fear of government reprisal. He said the town has been under siege for the past five days and there is a shortage of food and heating fuel during the cold winter.
The commander of the Free Syrian Army told The Associated Press that, after the vetoes at the U.N., “there is no other road” except military action to topple Assad.
“We consider that Syria is occupied by a criminal gang and we must liberate the country from this gang,” Col. Riad al-Asaad said, speaking by telephone from Turkey. “This regime does not understand the language of politics. It only understands the language of force.”
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton warned that chances for “a brutal civil war” would increase as Syrians under attack from their government move to defend themselves, unless international steps provide another way.
Speaking to reporters in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, she called the double veto at the U.N. Security Council on Saturday “a travesty.”
“Faced with a neutered Security Council, we have to redouble our efforts outside of the United Nations,” she said, calling for “friends of democratic Syria” to unite “support the Syrian people’s right to have a better future.”
The call points to the formation of a formal group of like-minded nations to coordinate assistance to the Syrian opposition, similar but not identical to the Contact Group on Libya, which oversaw international help for opponents of the late deposed Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. In the case of Libya, the group also coordinated NATO military operations to protect Libyan civilians, something that is not envisioned in Syria.
U.S. officials said an alliance would work to further squeeze the Assad regime by stepping up sanctions against it, bringing disparate Syrian opposition groups inside and outside the country together, providing humanitarian relief for embattled Syrian communities and working to prevent an escalation of violence by monitoring arms sales.
The main Syrian opposition umbrella group, the Syrian National Council, backed the idea.
Radwan Ziadeh, a prominent figure in the SNC, wrote on his Facebook page that friendly countries should form an “international coalition ... whose aim will be to lead international moves to support the revolution through political and economic aid.”
A deeply sensitive question is whether such a coalition would back the Free Syrian Army. There appears to be deep hesitation among Western countries, fearing further militarization of the conflict.
Omar Idlibi, an activist with the Syrian National Council, said action by a “friends coalition” to increase sanctions and other steps would boost peaceful opposition through protests.
But, he said, it should also include support to the FSA, which he said would prevent civilians from taking up arms, worsening the conflict.
The FSA, he said, “is a national Syrian army and as the regime has the right to get help from its Russian and Iranian allies, it is the right of the opposition to ask for help from its friends in enabling the Syrian people to achieve change.”
The FSA, based in neighboring Turkey, is believed to number several thousand soldiers and it almost daily announces claims of groups of soldiers joining its ranks that cannot be confirmed. It is heavily outgunned by the powerful regime military, which still has the power to conduct focused operations that can drive the rebels out of any areas they gain control of.
But the military cannot cover everywhere at once, and FSA troops appear to be proving effective at hit-and-run attacks and have put up staunch resistance in assaults on opposition-dominated urban areas.
On Sunday, rebel soldiers attacked a military convoy in the northwestern province of Idlib, killing 14 government troops, the Observatory said, reporting that 14 other regime soldiers were killed in fighting elsewhere.
Early Saturday, regime forces bombarded the restive central city of Homs, apparently in response to FSA attacks. Activists said the bombardment was the deadliest incident of the uprising, killing more than 200 people in a single day. The regime denied any bombardment, and there was no way to independently confirm the toll.
Gunfire continued to ring out Sunday in several neighborhoods of Homs, and at least 23 people were killed in the city and nearby towns, including three children, the Observatory said. Grisly video posted by activists online showed a young boy said to have been wounded in the shooting, his jaw torn away. The video and the Observatory’s casualty reports could not be independently confirmed.
The Russian and Chinese vetoes effectively killed an Arab League plan that called for Assad to hand over power to his vice president and allow the creation of a unity government. The resolution would have expressed support for the Arab League plan, which Assad rejected.
The Syrian government touted the U.N. result as a victory.
The state-run newspaper, Tishreen, vowed that Damascus will press its crackdown aiming to restore “stability and security and confront all forms of terrorism.” The regime has portrayed the uprising as the work of terrorists and armed gangs as part of a foreign conspiracy.
Hundreds of regime supporters rallied in a Damascus square, waving Russian and Chinese flags in gratitude for blocking the resolution.
“Thanks Russia, thanks China for undermining the Western conspiracy against our country,” said Nibal Hmeid, a 24-year-old teacher at the rally. She said Assad should now settle the situation “decisively and militarily against those armed criminals.”
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AP correspondent Matthew Lee reported from Sofia, Bulgaria. AP correspondent Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report.