Syrian Observatory: Death Toll Tops 100,000

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the principal monitoring group that has kept the world informed of developments in Syria since its civil war erupted more than two years ago, said on Wednesday that the death toll has now surpassed 100,000. Of the 100,191 who died during 27 months of fighting, 36,661 are civilians; 25,407 are regime troops; and 13,539 are rebel fighters. Numbers were also cited for defectors, pro-government fighters not serving in the army, and Lebanon-based Hizbullah members who are fighting alongside President Al-Assad’s soldiers.  The conflict is becoming increasingly sectarian in nature, with Sunni Muslim rebels facing-off against Shiite-aligned government troops (Assad is Alawite, a Shiite off-shoot); while on the rebel side, a clear distinction is emerging between Islamist and non-Islamist fighters.