The conflict in Syria isn't officially labeled a civil war but the denomination gained new validity in the last 24 hours following a series of developments on the ground including land grabs and weapons buildups. Here's are some of the latest reasons why at least one United Nations official is already using the term.
RELATED: Russian Warships Are Heading for Syria
Heavy Weapons. In today's New York Times, Mark Landler and Neil MacFarquhar report that new powerful weapons are flowing into opposition groups and the government, causing a sharp escalation of the conflict. The most sophisticated are attack helicopters allegedly sent from Russia to the Assad regime, but rebels are arming up as well. "The fierce government assaults from the air are partly a response to improved tactics and weaponry among the opposition forces, which have recently received more powerful antitank missiles from Turkey, with the financial support of Saudi Arabia and Qatar," they report. "The increased ferocity of the attacks and the more lethal weapons on both sides threatened to overwhelm diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis."
RELATED: Iran Proudly Presents: The Bashar al-Assad Puppet Show
Land grabs. U.N. under-secretary Herve Ladsous was the first U.N. official to classify the conflict as a civil war yesterday, noting that the government lost control of "large chunks" of urban areas, reports The BBC. "Clearly what is happening is that the government of Syria lost some large chunks of territory, several cities to the opposition, and wants to retake control, " he said. When asked if Syria was now embroiled in a civil war, he said "Yes, I think we can say that." The rebels' primary opposition stronghold is the city of Homs, which has been under barrage from government forces for months.