The Syrian opposition has reported the capture of several villages and cities in the region. Meanwhile, the office of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad denies rumors claiming he has fled the country. 

Rebel forces advancing toward Damascus have reported they are beginning to encircle the capital. Sources told CNN that Bashar al-Assad is nowhere to be found in the city.

The Syrian dictator seeks Iraqi support amid rebel advances in central Syria.

Egyptian officials cautioned their Israeli counterparts that rejecting the proposal means entering a “dark tunnel from which there is no hope of rescuing the living hostages."

Military implements sweeping reforms including universal arming of observation posts and the creation of a fourth combat engineering battalion.