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Syria crisis: Assad strikes back with jets in Aleppo and Damascus - live updates Syria crisis: Assad strikes back with jets in Aleppo and Damascus - live updates
(40 minutes later)
11.47am: Could this be why Manaf Tlass was out of the limelight for a while? There are claims that he was on umrah (the lesser pilgrimage) in Mecca, purging his sins.
Manaf Tlass is in Mecca to do Umrah. Repenting for his past & starting afresh? twitter.com/Turankislakci/… #Syria #Tlass
— Turk4Syria (@Turk4Syria) July 25, 2012
As Hassan Hassan notes on Twitter, this would be a smart PR move if the story is true.
11.34am: About half of the UN's 300 observers have left Syria, Hervé Ladsous, the head of UN's peacekeeping operations, told a press conference in Damascus.
There would have be substantial progress towards peace for th mission in Syria to be renewed again, Ladsous added.
Babacar Gaye, the new head of the mission, described the situation in Syria as "very difficult".
In the mission's remaining 27 days he said "every effort will be seized to alleviate the suffering of the population".
11.23am: Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov says the US reaction to explosions in Damascus amounts to an endorsement of terrorism. In remarks at a press conference in Moscow, reported by Russia Today, he said:
This is direct endorsement of terrorism. How are we supposed to understand that?
This is a sinister position, I cannot find words to express our attitude towards that.
In other words this means "We are going to support such acts of terrorism until the UN [security council] does what we want".
Reuters says Lavrov was referring to what he said were comments by US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland that last week's attack which killed senior regime figures was not surprising given the Syrian government's conduct.
10.49am: Blogger Brown Moses has been studying videos of the fixed-wing aircraft seen circling over Aleppo yesterday – and he doubts that the warplanes were Russian-made MiGs.10.49am: Blogger Brown Moses has been studying videos of the fixed-wing aircraft seen circling over Aleppo yesterday – and he doubts that the warplanes were Russian-made MiGs.
The images are not very clear but he suggests that the shape more closely resembles the Czech-designed Aero L-39 Albatros, which is a jet trainer aircraft.The images are not very clear but he suggests that the shape more closely resembles the Czech-designed Aero L-39 Albatros, which is a jet trainer aircraft.
10.32am: More detail on the defection of Lamia al-Hariri, the Syrian envoy in Cyprus.10.32am: More detail on the defection of Lamia al-Hariri, the Syrian envoy in Cyprus.
Two sources in the Syrian opposition have told Reuters that Hariri left the diplomatic mission in Nicosia on Tuesday, telling staff she was feeling unwell and was going to a doctor.Two sources in the Syrian opposition have told Reuters that Hariri left the diplomatic mission in Nicosia on Tuesday, telling staff she was feeling unwell and was going to a doctor.
She is now reported to be in Qatar.She is now reported to be in Qatar.
10.15am: Russia has condemned the EU's latest sanctions against Syria as "counter productive" and said it would not recognise the EU's to attempts to impose an air and sea blockade. 10.15am: Russia has condemned the EU's latest sanctions against Syria as "counter productive" and said it would not recognise the EU's attempts to impose an air and sea blockade.
Russia's foreign ministry tweeted:Russia's foreign ministry tweeted:
The sanctions adopted by the EU Foreign Affairs Council are essentially an air and sea blockade against #SyriaThe sanctions adopted by the EU Foreign Affairs Council are essentially an air and sea blockade against #Syria
— MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) July 25, 2012— MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) July 25, 2012
Russia rejects unilateral sanctions: they are counterproductive and will not help to settle the situation in #SyriaRussia rejects unilateral sanctions: they are counterproductive and will not help to settle the situation in #Syria
— MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) July 25, 2012— MFA Russia (@MFA_Russia) July 25, 2012
When the sanctions were announced on Monday's the EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said: "These sanctions are important because they will allow ships to be examined to see what cargo they're carrying, and that will prevent, I hope, any arms reaching Syria."When the sanctions were announced on Monday's the EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said: "These sanctions are important because they will allow ships to be examined to see what cargo they're carrying, and that will prevent, I hope, any arms reaching Syria."
10.09am: Syria's envoy to Cyprus has also defected, a member of the Syrian National Council told Reuters.10.09am: Syria's envoy to Cyprus has also defected, a member of the Syrian National Council told Reuters.
Al-Jazeera's live blog joins the marital dots on the two defections.Al-Jazeera's live blog joins the marital dots on the two defections.
Al Jazeera sources say Abdel Latif Al Dabbagh, Syria's ambassador to UAE, has defected. He is married to Lamia Hariri, Syria's ambassador to Cyprus, who defected yesterday.Al Jazeera sources say Abdel Latif Al Dabbagh, Syria's ambassador to UAE, has defected. He is married to Lamia Hariri, Syria's ambassador to Cyprus, who defected yesterday.
9.56am: Tribes are an ancient feature of Syrian society, neglected and exploited for decades by the Baathist regime in Damascus. They are now coming to the fore again, and can be expected to play an key role in the country's post-Assad future, Hassan Hassan writes in an article for Comment is free.9.56am: Tribes are an ancient feature of Syrian society, neglected and exploited for decades by the Baathist regime in Damascus. They are now coming to the fore again, and can be expected to play an key role in the country's post-Assad future, Hassan Hassan writes in an article for Comment is free.
He argues that Nawaf al-Fares (pictured), the Syrian ambassador in Iraq who defected recently may be the most important defector so far, since he is also an important tribal figure.He argues that Nawaf al-Fares (pictured), the Syrian ambassador in Iraq who defected recently may be the most important defector so far, since he is also an important tribal figure.

Unlike other opposition figures who have little power base in Syrian society, Fares leads a powerful clan in the east of the country. His clan is part of the Egaidat tribal confederation, the largest and most prominent in that area, with at least 1.5 million members across 40% of Syria's territory. It also has kinship links to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar.
Unlike other opposition figures who have little power base in Syrian society, Fares leads a powerful clan in the east of the country. His clan is part of the Egaidat tribal confederation, the largest and most prominent in that area, with at least 1.5 million members across 40% of Syria's territory. It also has kinship links to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar.
The Arab Gulf states' aggressive stance towards the Assad regime has been driven by these ties as well as by their anti-Iranian sentiment. From the early weeks of the uprising, members of the Syrian tribes in Deraa were appealing to their "cousins" in the Gulf to help them.The Arab Gulf states' aggressive stance towards the Assad regime has been driven by these ties as well as by their anti-Iranian sentiment. From the early weeks of the uprising, members of the Syrian tribes in Deraa were appealing to their "cousins" in the Gulf to help them.
From the Gulf to Iraq to Syria, the area is interlinked in a complex web of tribal relations. The Syrian tribes originated in Arabia and moved north with the Muslim campaigns in the seventh century and later in search of water and grazing for livestock.From the Gulf to Iraq to Syria, the area is interlinked in a complex web of tribal relations. The Syrian tribes originated in Arabia and moved north with the Muslim campaigns in the seventh century and later in search of water and grazing for livestock.
9.40am: We now have a video of Manaf Tlass's defection speech which was broadcast last night on the Saudi-owned al-Arabiya TV channel.9.40am: We now have a video of Manaf Tlass's defection speech which was broadcast last night on the Saudi-owned al-Arabiya TV channel.
His speech has had a mixed reception on Twitter. Some view it as a significant step:His speech has had a mixed reception on Twitter. Some view it as a significant step:
Manaf Tlass was not speaking to the opposition or to the people of #Syria: he was placing a call to his peers in the army.Manaf Tlass was not speaking to the opposition or to the people of #Syria: he was placing a call to his peers in the army.
— Rime Allaf (@rallaf) July 24, 2012— Rime Allaf (@rallaf) July 24, 2012
Manaf Tlas: "speak to you not as an official, but as an ordinary Syrian". Message of unity: "cannot rip down institutions of state" #SyriaManaf Tlas: "speak to you not as an official, but as an ordinary Syrian". Message of unity: "cannot rip down institutions of state" #Syria
— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) July 24, 2012— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) July 24, 2012
Others think he left it too late, or question his motives:Others think he left it too late, or question his motives:
"Defection" is when they abandon one side and fight for the other. Simply abandoning one side & running away = desertion. #Syria #Tlas"Defection" is when they abandon one side and fight for the other. Simply abandoning one side & running away = desertion. #Syria #Tlas
— Iyad El-Baghdadi (@iyad_elbaghdadi) July 24, 2012— Iyad El-Baghdadi (@iyad_elbaghdadi) July 24, 2012
Manaf Tlas spoke too late. He missed the momuntum. Had he spoken earlier, he might'v even b credited for the success of top masterminds op.Manaf Tlas spoke too late. He missed the momuntum. Had he spoken earlier, he might'v even b credited for the success of top masterminds op.
— Hassan Hassan (@hhassan140) July 24, 2012— Hassan Hassan (@hhassan140) July 24, 2012
Tlass would not defect if Assad had a chance to survive. #Tlass #SyriaTlass would not defect if Assad had a chance to survive. #Tlass #Syria
— Rodî Xelîl Kawro ✌ (@RodiKawro) July 24, 2012— Rodî Xelîl Kawro ✌ (@RodiKawro) July 24, 2012
Manaf Tlass defected, but he doesn't want to join the revolution. He wants the revolution to join him. #SyriaManaf Tlass defected, but he doesn't want to join the revolution. He wants the revolution to join him. #Syria
— Haytham Amaarah (@SyrianForChange) July 17, 2012— Haytham Amaarah (@SyrianForChange) July 17, 2012
He also seems to have an image problem, which is probably not helped be the widely-published photo of him with a large cigar.He also seems to have an image problem, which is probably not helped be the widely-published photo of him with a large cigar.
If I were an army officer, Manaf Tlass's speech tonight wouldn't convince me to defect. He looks like a guy chilling in Paris, nothing more.If I were an army officer, Manaf Tlass's speech tonight wouldn't convince me to defect. He looks like a guy chilling in Paris, nothing more.
— BSyria (@BSyria) July 24, 2012— BSyria (@BSyria) July 24, 2012
#manaftlas #Syria Manat Tlas looks like a GQ Model more than a defected General!!#manaftlas #Syria Manat Tlas looks like a GQ Model more than a defected General!!
— فراوس(@syrianintegrity) July 24, 2012— فراوس(@syrianintegrity) July 24, 2012
Manaf Tlass had a whole month to wear a suit, mend his hair and write a more interesting statement. National procrastinatorManaf Tlass had a whole month to wear a suit, mend his hair and write a more interesting statement. National procrastinator
— BSyria (@BSyria) July 24, 2012— BSyria (@BSyria) July 24, 2012
Why did Munaf Tlas speak now, is it because all those great positions that he set his eyes on were given to others at the same day? #SyriaWhy did Munaf Tlas speak now, is it because all those great positions that he set his eyes on were given to others at the same day? #Syria
— Dylan.johnsons (@dylan_johnsons) July 25, 2012— Dylan.johnsons (@dylan_johnsons) July 25, 2012
9.26am: Rebels have set fire to a police headquarters in Aleppo, according to video uploaded by the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.9.26am: Rebels have set fire to a police headquarters in Aleppo, according to video uploaded by the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The BBC has dramatic footage from fighting in the city yesterday, which mentioned a police headquarters close to a rebel held area. It shows rebels arresting and beating men suspected of being shabiha - Assad's militia.The BBC has dramatic footage from fighting in the city yesterday, which mentioned a police headquarters close to a rebel held area. It shows rebels arresting and beating men suspected of being shabiha - Assad's militia.
The rebels are filmed firing at helicopters with a captured tank as a jet flew overhead.The rebels are filmed firing at helicopters with a captured tank as a jet flew overhead.
8.40am: Babacar Gaye, a Senegalese general who commanded a peacekeeping force in Congo, has arrived in Damascus as the new head of the UN's monitoring mission in Syria.8.40am: Babacar Gaye, a Senegalese general who commanded a peacekeeping force in Congo, has arrived in Damascus as the new head of the UN's monitoring mission in Syria.
Gaye replaces General Robert Mood. He is shown in the video being greeted by Hervé Ladsous, the head of UN's peacekeeping operations. The UN extended the mission by 30 days last week.Gaye replaces General Robert Mood. He is shown in the video being greeted by Hervé Ladsous, the head of UN's peacekeeping operations. The UN extended the mission by 30 days last week.
Gaye has a reputation as someone who speaks his mind, according to the diplomatic blog Inner City Press.Gaye has a reputation as someone who speaks his mind, according to the diplomatic blog Inner City Press.
8.15am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live.8.15am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live.
Here's a roundup of the latest developments and analysis:Here's a roundup of the latest developments and analysis:
SyriaSyria
• Thousands of troops have been sent to Aleppo as part of a major counter offensive against rebels in Syria's two largest cities. In the northern Damascus suburb of al-Tel Syrian forces fired artillery and rocket barrages forcing hundreds of families to flee the area, residents and opposition activists said.• Thousands of troops have been sent to Aleppo as part of a major counter offensive against rebels in Syria's two largest cities. In the northern Damascus suburb of al-Tel Syrian forces fired artillery and rocket barrages forcing hundreds of families to flee the area, residents and opposition activists said.
• Brigadier-General Manaf Tlass, the most senior defector so far, has made a video statement offering to lead a transition government in Syria. In the statement broadcast on al-Arabiya Tlass said:• Brigadier-General Manaf Tlass, the most senior defector so far, has made a video statement offering to lead a transition government in Syria. In the statement broadcast on al-Arabiya Tlass said:
Allow me to serve Syria after [President Bashar] al-Assad's era. We must all unite to serve Syria and promote stability in the country, rebuilding a free and democratic Syria. Allow me to call on a united Syria ... [The] new Syria ... should not be built on revenge, exclusion or monopoly.Allow me to serve Syria after [President Bashar] al-Assad's era. We must all unite to serve Syria and promote stability in the country, rebuilding a free and democratic Syria. Allow me to call on a united Syria ... [The] new Syria ... should not be built on revenge, exclusion or monopoly.
• All of Turkey's remaining border gates with Syria are to be closed from Wednesday, an official told Reuters. The move will close the only three border gates that were still open, at Cilvegozu, Oncupinar and Karkamis, the unnamed official said.• All of Turkey's remaining border gates with Syria are to be closed from Wednesday, an official told Reuters. The move will close the only three border gates that were still open, at Cilvegozu, Oncupinar and Karkamis, the unnamed official said.
• In the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, the battle appears to be on an endless loop, writes Ghaith Abdul-Ahad.• In the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, the battle appears to be on an endless loop, writes Ghaith Abdul-Ahad.
Every day, loyalist troops and tanks stubbornly try to take the city from the rebels. The rebels push them back and the army retaliates by pounding the city with mortar shells and rockets.Every day, loyalist troops and tanks stubbornly try to take the city from the rebels. The rebels push them back and the army retaliates by pounding the city with mortar shells and rockets.
The barrage starts in the morning and stops at midnight. Its aim is arbitrary: shells can land almost anywhere in the city.The barrage starts in the morning and stops at midnight. Its aim is arbitrary: shells can land almost anywhere in the city.
... Now most of the desolate countryside in the region is in the hands of the rebels, including the main border post.... Now most of the desolate countryside in the region is in the hands of the rebels, including the main border post.
• Government forces have hit back with attack helicopters and fighter jets after rebels seized parts of Aleppo, the BBC's Ian Pannell reports. • Government forces have hit back with attack helicopters and fighter jets after rebels seized parts of Aleppo, the BBC's Ian Pannell reports.
First came an unmistakeable sound that has so far been absent in this conflict - the roar of fighter jets. What appeared to be Russian-made MiG planes arced through the sky.First came an unmistakeable sound that has so far been absent in this conflict - the roar of fighter jets. What appeared to be Russian-made MiG planes arced through the sky.
We watched as they dropped in, bombing and strafing rebel positions. Dead and wounded civilians and fighters were taken to hospitals and makeshift clinics as the human cost of this conflict continues to grow.We watched as they dropped in, bombing and strafing rebel positions. Dead and wounded civilians and fighters were taken to hospitals and makeshift clinics as the human cost of this conflict continues to grow.
• ITN's Bill Neely said he witnessed war planes bombing opposition positions in the Damascus suburb of Douma.• ITN's Bill Neely said he witnessed war planes bombing opposition positions in the Damascus suburb of Douma.
Like Pannell, Neeley described the sight and sound of jets as "unmistakable". He reported: "This is the first time we can categorically say the Syrian airforce has been deployed here. President Assad is now using warplanes against his own people in this built up area."Like Pannell, Neeley described the sight and sound of jets as "unmistakable". He reported: "This is the first time we can categorically say the Syrian airforce has been deployed here. President Assad is now using warplanes against his own people in this built up area."
• Syrian rebels will eventually control a safe haven inside Syria which will act as a base for the opposition, according to US secretary of state Hillary Clinton. Speaking at a news conference she said:• Syrian rebels will eventually control a safe haven inside Syria which will act as a base for the opposition, according to US secretary of state Hillary Clinton. Speaking at a news conference she said:
We have to work closely with the opposition because more and more territory is being taken and it will, eventually, result in a safe haven inside Syria which will then provide a base for further actions by the opposition. And so the opposition has to be prepared. They have to start working on interim governing entities ... We do believe that it is not too late for the Assad regime to commence with planning for a transition, to find a way that ends the violence by beginning the kind of serious discussions that have not occurred to date.We have to work closely with the opposition because more and more territory is being taken and it will, eventually, result in a safe haven inside Syria which will then provide a base for further actions by the opposition. And so the opposition has to be prepared. They have to start working on interim governing entities ... We do believe that it is not too late for the Assad regime to commence with planning for a transition, to find a way that ends the violence by beginning the kind of serious discussions that have not occurred to date.
• More than sixty, mostly conservative, figures in the US, have called on Barack Obama to help establish safe zones in Syria, Foreign Policy magazine reports. The group includes Karl Rove, several of Mitt Romney's advisers and Radwah Ziadeh, a leading member of the Syrian National Council.• More than sixty, mostly conservative, figures in the US, have called on Barack Obama to help establish safe zones in Syria, Foreign Policy magazine reports. The group includes Karl Rove, several of Mitt Romney's advisers and Radwah Ziadeh, a leading member of the Syrian National Council.
In a letter to the president they said:In a letter to the president they said:
We urge you to take immediate steps, in close and continuing consultation with the Congress, to work with regional partners to establish air-patrolled "safe zones" covering already liberated areas within Syria, using military power not only to protect these zones from further aggression by the Assad regime's military and irregular forces, but also to neutralise the threat posed by the Syrian dictatorship's chemical and biological weapons ...We urge you to take immediate steps, in close and continuing consultation with the Congress, to work with regional partners to establish air-patrolled "safe zones" covering already liberated areas within Syria, using military power not only to protect these zones from further aggression by the Assad regime's military and irregular forces, but also to neutralise the threat posed by the Syrian dictatorship's chemical and biological weapons ...
America's continued inaction in Syria risks becoming what you called in your 2009 Nobel Prize acceptance speech, "complicity in oppression," and only serves to undermine our interests and embolden our enemies.America's continued inaction in Syria risks becoming what you called in your 2009 Nobel Prize acceptance speech, "complicity in oppression," and only serves to undermine our interests and embolden our enemies.
• Western military intervention is "looking increasingly likely" because the conflict is now in danger of provoking violence across the Arab world that could lead to cross-border invasions, according to a report by the Royal United Services Institute. Professor Michael Clarke, the thinktank's director general, says: "We are not moving towards intervention, but intervention is moving towards us. Events of recent days have created a step-change in the situation that will make a hands-off approach increasingly difficult to maintain."• Western military intervention is "looking increasingly likely" because the conflict is now in danger of provoking violence across the Arab world that could lead to cross-border invasions, according to a report by the Royal United Services Institute. Professor Michael Clarke, the thinktank's director general, says: "We are not moving towards intervention, but intervention is moving towards us. Events of recent days have created a step-change in the situation that will make a hands-off approach increasingly difficult to maintain."
• The message from Damascus was one of business as usual as Assad appointed a new security chief and senior intelligence officials to replace three of the four members of his inner circle who were killed in last Wednesday's bomb attack. Ali Mamlouk, who was head of Syria's Internal Security Directorate, was appointed head of national security, replacing Hisham Bekhtiar who died from wounds inflicted in the bombing.• The message from Damascus was one of business as usual as Assad appointed a new security chief and senior intelligence officials to replace three of the four members of his inner circle who were killed in last Wednesday's bomb attack. Ali Mamlouk, who was head of Syria's Internal Security Directorate, was appointed head of national security, replacing Hisham Bekhtiar who died from wounds inflicted in the bombing.
• Syria expert Joshua Landis notes that most of the new military appointments have gone to Sunnis in an attempt to bridge the widening sectarian divide. • Syria expert Joshua Landis notes that most of the new military appointments have gone to Sunnis in an attempt to bridge the widening sectarian divide.
Three of the four new security nominations are Sunnis. There is debate on the fourth (Abdul Fattah Qudsiye), who may be either Sunni or Druze. All are hawks. The notorious Rustum Ghazali, who ruled Lebanon with an iron fist, is among them. The message is that Sunnis will dominate the security leadership. This is an effort to keep the Sunni-Alawi alliance alive. Baathist rule has been built on the Sunni-Alawi alliance, which has all but collapsed since the beginning of the uprising. The defections of high level Sunnis recently underscores that it is moribund.Three of the four new security nominations are Sunnis. There is debate on the fourth (Abdul Fattah Qudsiye), who may be either Sunni or Druze. All are hawks. The notorious Rustum Ghazali, who ruled Lebanon with an iron fist, is among them. The message is that Sunnis will dominate the security leadership. This is an effort to keep the Sunni-Alawi alliance alive. Baathist rule has been built on the Sunni-Alawi alliance, which has all but collapsed since the beginning of the uprising. The defections of high level Sunnis recently underscores that it is moribund.
LibyaLibya
• A British journalist has been deported for carrying out unauthorised filming at a military base on the outskirts of Tripoli, the Libya Herald reports. Sharon Ward, a freelance broadcaster who has worked for the BBC, was arrested at the Janzour Naval Academy last week, where she had been documenting the plight of 2,000 refugees currently housed at the facility.• A British journalist has been deported for carrying out unauthorised filming at a military base on the outskirts of Tripoli, the Libya Herald reports. Sharon Ward, a freelance broadcaster who has worked for the BBC, was arrested at the Janzour Naval Academy last week, where she had been documenting the plight of 2,000 refugees currently housed at the facility.
EgyptEgypt
• President, Mohamed Morsi has asked Hisham Kandil, a relatively young water minister little known outside the country, to form a new government, disappointing investors who had hoped for a high-profile economist. Kandil was a senior bureaucrat in the ministry until he was appointed minister last July after the fall of Hosni Mubarak. He obtained a doctorate in irrigation from the University of North Carolina.• President, Mohamed Morsi has asked Hisham Kandil, a relatively young water minister little known outside the country, to form a new government, disappointing investors who had hoped for a high-profile economist. Kandil was a senior bureaucrat in the ministry until he was appointed minister last July after the fall of Hosni Mubarak. He obtained a doctorate in irrigation from the University of North Carolina.