The Syrian government has been accused of using chemical weapons in an Aug. 21 attack against rebel forces outside Damascus, killing hundreds and inciting international outrage. The U.S. government is now contemplating a military strike against Syria, which could happen as early as Thursday.
Since violence erupted in March 2011, more than 100,000 people have lost their lives, according to UN estimates from June. Up-to-the-minute information about the conflict isn't widely available as the war-torn country is an especially dangerous place for journalists; 50 have died since the beginning of 2011 -- far more than in any other country during the same time period, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
However, there are a few outlets that have been covering the war since the beginning, and they will be crucial for information if the U.S. or its allies do issue a military strike. Here's a list of Twitter users -- some embedded in the country, others covering the conflict from the outside -- to follow for reliable information about Syria.
You can also subscribe to this curated list provided by @Mashable.
1. Jeremy Bowen, BBC
Seems we now can't leave. They're debating whether to delete our pix. Another sign of tension.— Jeremy Bowen (@BowenBBC) August 29, 2013
2. Sam Dagher, The Wall Street Journal (On the ground in Syria)
In conversations w/ Syrians in #Damascus both pro & anti #Assad & neutral feeling it's going to be bad no matter what if #US strikes #Syria— Sam Dagher (@samdagher) August 29, 2013
More than 1.7 million people have been displaced from their homes by the conflict in #Syria. 75% of them are... http://t.co/1nWpb7Lz1Y— U.S. Embassy Syria (@USEmbassySyria) July 12, 2013
4. Liz Sly, The Washington Post
Never in the field of human conflict have so many people been so baffled by the words of a US SoS. Judging by my inbox. #Syria #Kerry— Liz Sly (@LizSly) August 26, 2013
5. C.J. Chivers, The New York Times
Exclusive pic: FN-6 missile tube w identifying digits painted over. (re #Sudan Sells Arms For #Syria Rebels) http://t.co/t4xb4q2wyu— C.J. Chivers (@cjchivers) August 13, 2013
6. Tracey Shelton, Global Post
A young girl feeds 4-month-old baby yusof on a concrete floor in a shanty town of Syrian refugees near… http://t.co/pkCoiQiRg2— Tracey Shelton (@tracey_shelton) August 24, 2013
7. Martin Chulov, The Guardian
And so it starts; 2 mortars land near UN inspectors #Damascus hotel just as they are due to visit chem weapons sites #Syria— Martin Chulov (@martinchulov) August 26, 2013
8. Lina Sinjab, BBC
Anti chemical gas masks are now on sale in #Damascus streets, each for a 100 USD #Syria— Lina Sinjab (@BBCLinaSinjab) June 17, 2013
9. Mahir Zeynalov, Today's Zaman
Assad: Threats of direct aggression against Syria will only increase our commitment to our deep-rooted principles and the will of people.— Mahir Zeynalov (@MahirZeynalov) August 29, 2013
10. David Kenner, Foreign Policy
Syrian Amb. Jaafari: "Any military aggression on Syria would spread all over the area. Automatically."— DavidKenner (@DavidKenner) August 28, 2013
11. Noah Shachtman, Foreign Policy
Meet the female fighters who are taking on #Syria's jihadists -- and winning. http://t.co/mVfXRzdXIZ— Noah Shachtman (@NoahShachtman) August 28, 2013
12. Rania Abouzeid, Freelance Journalist
Syria bracing 4 strike, Iraqi car bombs on rise, Lebanon fraying, Jordan buckling under refugee load. need >140 chs to describe ME today— Rania Abouzeid (@Raniaab) August 29, 2013
13. Hassan Hassan, The National (UAE)
#pt "Everyone is expecting the strikes soon, and there have been heavy military movements."— Hassan Hassan حسن (@hhassan140) August 29, 2013
14. Frederik Pleitgen, CNN (On the ground in Syria)
Inside Syria http://t.co/8g1r80EuOy #cnn— Frederik Pleitgen (@fpleitgenCNN) August 28, 2013