The UN and the Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi told the Security Council that the conflict in Syria is worsening and that the country was facing a growing food crisis. Western and Arab countries that support the opposition to the Syrian regime are setto hold numerous meetings during the weekend in New York to try to reach an agreement between all the opposition forces to build a post-Assad strategy.
Brahimi also told the 15 member countries of the Council that the Syrian regime estimates that 5000 foreigners are taking part in fighting in the country.
Despite their repeated calls for President Bashar Assad's departure, Western countries are very reluctant to the idea of arming the rebels, arguing that the arsenal could fall into the hands of extremist groups. For this reason, according to some experts, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) has announced the transfer of its command center into Syria in order to better control the forces on the ground.
The transfer will allow the command to be closer to its fighters though it makes it more vulnerable to air strikes. The FSA is plagued by internal rivalries and its leaders are struggling to federate multiple small groups of fighters.
The region in which the command center will be located in Syria has not been specified. Nevertheless, opposition sources claim that nearly 80% of Syrian towns and villages bordering Turkey now under the control of the rebels.
