Syrian Regime Attacks Schools, Tortures Kids: UN

Meanwhile, Iran allegedly used Iraqi airspace to send weapons to Assad
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 20, 2012 9:41 AM CDT
Syrian Regime Attacks Schools, Tortures Kids: UN
A book is left on the ground at the yard of a school destroyed in government airstrike in Tel Rifaat, on the outskirts of Aleppo, Syria, Sept. 16, 2012.   (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Forces for the Syrian regime have attacked schools, tortured and sexually assaulted children, and denied boys and girls access to hospitals, the UN's envoy for Children and Armed Conflict told the Security Council yesterday—adding that the torture and sexual violence can go for weeks, CNN reports. Rebels aren't blameless either; the Free Syrian Army "may have children associated with their forces."

The conflict continues to rage in Syria with at least 150 killed yesterday, according to opposition groups. In one dramatic incident today, a Syrian helicopter clipped the tail of a passenger jet with 200 people aboard, the AP reports. The plane managed to land safely, but the helicopter crashed near Damascus. Meanwhile, amid renewed reports yesterday that Iran has been using Iraqi airspace to send weapons and military personnel to the Assad regime, Iraq denied the claim today, saying it "will never be involved or helping or allowing" any such shipment. (More Syria stories.)

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