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December 13, 2012

Report: Syria Fires Scud Missiles at Rebels 
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The regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fired Scud
missiles at rebel fighters in what is being described as a major
escalation. According to the New York Times, more than six missiles have
been fired from around the capital Damascus into northern Syria. If
confirmed, the move would mark the first time the Assad regime has used
the Scuds in Syria's 20-month-old internal conflict. In Washington,
State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said Assad is displaying
"desperation and brutality."

Victoria Nuland: "As the regime becomes more and more desperate, we see
it resorting to increased lethality and more vicious weapons moving
forward, and we have in recent days seen missiles deployed. So I would
also say that we are seeing use of another egregious weapon, this kind
of barrel bomb, which is an incendiary bomb that contains flammable
materials. It's sort of a napalm-like thing, and it's completely
indiscriminate in terms of civilians. So, very, very concerning and
indicative of the regime's desperation and the regime's brutality."