Syrian rebels and the government blamed each other today after 65 young men were found executed in a river near Aleppo late on Tuesday.
State TV said they were residents of Bustan al-Qasr who had been kidnapped and killed by the al-Qaida-linked Jabhat al-Nusra group for refusing to co-operate with the rebels.
But the rebels said 80 people had been killed and blamed government troops.
The massacre follows claims said to have been unearthed by hackers of an apparent plot to stage chemical weapon attacks and blame President Bashar al-Assad's government.
An email supposedly from defence contractor Britam Defence director David Goulding to its founder Philip Doughty appears to detail an "attactive deal" from Qatar's government and approved by the US.
"We'll have to deliver a CW (chemical weapon) to Homs, a Soviet origin g-shell from Libya similar to those that Assad should have," Mr Goulding allegedly wrote.
"Frankly, I don't think it's a good idea but the sums proposed are enormous. Your opinion?"
----
Donor countries pledged more than £700 million at a UN conference in Kuwait to help Syrian refugees.
The UN set a target of £950m, but said 2012's humanitarian work was only half funded.
If you appreciated this article then please consider donating to the Morning Star's Fighting Fund to ensure we can keep developing your paper.
George Osborne's advice from the International Monetary Fund is like the curate's egg - good in parts.
George Tapp suffered horrific injuries when he was run down last week at a demo against blacklisting in construction. He tells the Star why he's as determined as ever to carry on struggling for justice
The government wants to ramp up Western involvement in the Syrian conflict but the cost will be more violence and instability in the region
Printable
Email