Lucie Parsaghian / EPA

A group of Russian citizens hold hands after crossing the border from Syria at Al-Masnaa, Lebanon, on Jan. 22.

Jamal Saidi / Reuters

A Russian child evacuated from Damascus sits in a bus as their convoy arrives at the Masna'a border crossing between Lebanon and Syria in the eastern Bekaa region of Lebanon on Jan. 22.

Bilal Hussein / AP

A group of Russian citizens ride a bus shortly after crossing the border from Syria into Lebanon at the Masna'a border crossing in Lebanon, on Jan. 22. Some 80 Russian citizens crossed into Lebanon as Moscow began evacuating some of the tens of thousands of Russians who live in Syria.

By Bassem Mroue and Vladimir Isachenkov, The Associated Press

Four buses carrying Russian citizens escaping the Syrian civil war crossed into Lebanon on Tuesday, in the first evacuation organized by Moscow since the start of the conflict nearly two years ago.

About 80 people, mostly women and children, were on the buses, according to an official from the Russian Embassy in Beirut who was waiting for the group at the Masnaa border crossing in eastern Lebanon. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

The evacuation was the strongest sign yet of Russia's doubts in the ability of President Bashar Assad's regime to cling to power in Syria.

Read the full story.

Jamal Saidi / Reuters

A Syrian man holds his sister after they fled their home near Damascus, as they walk past Russian nationals sitting in a bus who have been evacuated from Damascus during their arrival at the Lebanese Masna'a border point in eastern Bekaa on Jan. 22.

Previously on PhotoBlog:

• Photos reveal Syrian rebels taking fight to Damascus
• Rare snowstorm blankets Holy Land, brings brief joy to war-weary Damascus
• On the move again, Syrian refugees flee flooding
• Assad gives defiant speech as Syrian rebels edge closer to Damascus
• Syrian children attend school in Aleppo despite continued bombardment, bloodshed

Slideshow: Syria uprising

Goran Tomasevic / Reuters

A look at the violence that has overtaken the country.

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Goran Tomasevic / Reuters

Free Syrian Army fighters run across a street in the Ain Tarma neighborhood of Damascus on Jan. 15, 2013.

Goran Tomasevic / Reuters

A Free Syrian Army fighter rest as another fighter aims his rifle in the Zamalka neighborhood of Damascus on Jan. 15, 2013.

Goran Tomasevic / Reuters

Free Syrian Army fighters walk in the Ain Tarma neighborhood of Damascus on Jan. 15, 2013.

Slideshow: Syria uprising

/

A look at the violence that has overtaken the country.

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As the Free Syrian Army continues to battle government forces in Damascus, Reuters photographer Goran Tomasevic has become one of the first independent photojournalists to reach rebel-held areas of the Syrian capital.

Syria's civil war is unleashing a "staggering humanitarian crisis" on the Middle East as hundreds of thousands of refugees flee violence including gang rape, the New York-based International Rescue Committee said on Monday.

-- Reuters

Related content:

• Goran Tomasevic's photos of the battle for Aleppo
• 'We escaped death': Syrian refugees struggle with cold, hunger and uncertainty
• Syria rebels form their own secret police
• Video: Dozens killed in Syria air attacks

Darren Whiteside / Reuters

Snow covers the Dome of the Rock on the compound know to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City on Jan. 10, 2013.

Abir Sultan / EPA

An Ultra Orthodox Jew wades through the snow next to the Old City walls in Jerusalem on Jan. 10, 2013. The region has been gripped by a cold wave accompanied by heavy snowfalls over the last few days.

Youssef Badawi / EPA

Children with their families play in the snow on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, on Jan. 10, 2013, after the region was hit by heavy snowfalls overnight. Syria has been gripped by a cold wave accompanied by heavy snowfalls for the second day, cutting off roads and bringing life to a standstill. The government has postponed the mid-year exams because of the blizzard that has blanketed all streets and hilltops.

The worst snowstorm in 20 years shut public transport, roads and schools in Jerusalem and along the northern Israeli region bordering on Lebanon on Thursday. 

Jerusalem was transformed into a winter wonderland after heavy overnight snowfall turned the Holy City and much of the region white, bringing hordes of excited children onto the streets.

Powerful winter storm brings snow, havoc to Mideast, leaving 8 dead

In neighboring Syria, the snowfall that covered Damascus in white on Wednesday sparked an overnight outbreak of playfulness among Syrians, who momentarily ignored their bloody civil war and forgot their affiliations as dissidents, loyalists and even soldiers.

"Last night, for the first time in months, I heard laughter instead of shelling. Even the security forces put down their guns and helped us make a snowman," Iman, a resident of the central Shaalan neighborhood, said by Skype on Thursday. 

-- Reuters, Agence France-Presse

Bernat Armangue / AP

Snow falls as an ultra-orthodox Jewish man prays at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City on Jan. 10, 2013. Stormy weather conditions continued on Thursday with snow, torrential rains and strong winds across the region.

Majdi Mohammed / AP

Palestinians play in the snow next to a section of Israel's separation barrier in Qalandia, between Jerusalem and the West bank city of Ramallah, on Jan. 10, 2013.

Ahmad Gharabli / AFP - Getty Images

A man takes pictures of the snow-covered Dome of the Rock at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the old city of Jerusalem on Jan. 10, 2013.

Avi Ohayon / Israeli Government Press Office via Getty Images

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enjoys the snow with his family on Jan. 10, 2013 in Jerusalem.

Bernat Armangue / AP

A man walks through tombs covered by snow on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem on Jan. 10, 2013.

Jim Hollander / EPA

Palestinian girls play in the snow on the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem on Jan. 10, 2013.

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Slideshow: Winter's frozen splendor

AFP - Getty Images

Ice and snow changes our environment, as winter engulfs our world.

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Hussein Malla / AP

Syrian refugees stand under electricity cables outside their tents, at a temporary refugee camp, in the eastern Lebanese Town of Al-Faour near the border with Syria, on Jan. 8.

By The Associated Press

Two Syrian refugee encampments in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa valley were completely immersed in water Tuesday after the Litani river flooded and the water came pouring into tents. The flood forced dozens of Syrian refugees to leave in search for alternative shelter along with their water-soaked and muddied belongings.

In a Jordanian camp, Syrian refugees attacked aid workers with sticks and stones on Tuesday, frustrated after cold, howling winds swept away their tents and torrential rains flooded muddy streets. Continue reading.

Related: One million Syrians going hungry as fighting rages, says UN

Hussein Malla / AP

Syrian refugees wade through flooded water at a temporary refugee camp, in the eastern Lebanese Town of Al-Faour near the border with Syria, on Jan. 8.

Hussein Malla / AP

A Syrian refugee boy carries his belongings as he makes his way in flooded water at a temporary refugee camp, in the eastern Lebanese Town of Al-Faour near the border with Syria, on Jan. 8.

Mohammad Hannon / AP

Syrian refugees make their way on water and mud, at Zaatari Syrian refugee camp, near the Syrian border in Mafraq, Jordan, on Jan. 8. Syrian refugees in a Jordanian camp attacked aid workers with sticks and stones on Tuesday, frustrated after cold, howling winds swept away their tents and torrential rains flooded muddy streets overnight. Police said seven aid workers were injured.

Ali Jarekji / Reuters

A Syrian refugee fixes his tent after heavy rain at the Al-Zaatari refugee camp in the Jordanian city of Mafraq, near the border with Syria, on Jan. 8

Hussein Malla / AP

Syrian refugee children watch television at a temporary shelter, after their tents flooded from the rain, at a refugee camp, in the eastern Lebanese Town of Al-Faour near the border with Syria, on Jan. 8.

Slideshow: Syria uprising

Ahmed Jadallah / Reuters

A look at the violence that has overtaken the country.

Launch slideshow

Previously on PhotoBlog:

• Assad gives defiant speech as Syrian rebels edge closer to Damascus
• Syrian children attend school in Aleppo despite continued bombardment, bloodshed
• Reuters cameraman wounded by Syrian sniper

Louai Beshara / AFP - Getty Images

People watch Syria's embattled President Bashar Assad making a public address on state-run Syrian TV on Jan. 6 in Damascus. In a rare speech, Assad denounced the opposition as 'slaves' of the West and called for a national dialogue conference to be followed by a referendum on a national charter and parliamentary elections.

Speaking before an overwhelmingly supportive crowd that interrupted his speech with chants and rapturous applause several times, Syrian President Bashar Assad offered no concessions and even appeared to harden many of his positions. He rallied Syrians for "a war to defend the nation" and disparaged the prospect of negotiations. There was little to no acknowledgement that there are Syrians themselves who have taken up the fight.

"We do not reject political dialogue ... but with whom should we hold a dialogue? With extremists who don't believe in any language but killing and terrorism?" Assad asked.

-- Reported by NBC News and wire services

Read the full story.

Muzaffar Salman / Reuters

A girl looks up to the sky after hearing the sound of shelling as she sits on a toy pony in the playground of Al-Tawheed school in Aleppo, Syria on Jan. 1.

Muzaffar Salman / Reuters

Children play in the playground of Al-Tawheed school in Aleppo on Jan. 1.

Muzaffar Salman / Reuters

Children play with a toy car in the playground of Al-Tawheed school in Aleppo on Jan. 1.

Muzaffar Salman / Reuters

Children sit on school benches at Al-Tawheed school in Aleppo on Jan. 1.

Muzaffar Salman / Reuters

Children attend a class at Al-Tawheed school in Aleppo on Jan. 1.

By Oliver Holmes, Reuters

Government war planes bombed opposition-held areas of Syria and President Bashar al-Assad's forces and rebels fought on the outskirts of the capital Damascus on New Year's Day on Tuesday.

A year ago, many diplomats and analysts predicted Assad would leave power in 2012. But despite international pressure and rebel gains, he has proved resilient.

The air force pounded Damascus's eastern suburbs on Tuesday and rebel-held areas of Aleppo, the second city and commercial capital, as well as several rural towns and villages, opposition activists said.

Related links:

• See more images of the conflict in Syria in PhotoBlog
• Syrian government forces go on attack on first day of year
• Reuters cameraman wounded by Syrian sniper

Slideshow: Syria uprising

Muhammed Muheisen / AP

A look back at the violence that has overtaken the country

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Ahmed Jadallah / Reuters

Ayman al-Sahili, a Reuters cameraman, receives first aid after he was shot in the leg by a sniper loyal to Syrian President Bashar el-Assad while filming on the front line in Syria's north city of Aleppo on Dec. 31.

By Reuters

A Reuters television cameraman was shot in the leg and wounded while filming on the front line in Syria's northern city of Aleppo on Monday.

Ayman al-Sahili, a Libyan citizen working as part of a Reuters multi-media reporting team, was hit by a rifle bullet fired from a distance. He was treated in Syria and then driven across the border to Turkey. His injury was not life-threatening.

The ambulance transporting Sahili to Turkey encountered an air strike in Aleppo and maneuvered into an alley until it was safe to continue the journey.

Syria was by far the most dangerous country for journalists in 2012, with 28 killed there during the year according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, a watchdog group. Read the full story.

Ahmed Jadallah / Reuters

Ayman al-Sahili is carried on a stretcher after he was wounded by a sniper loyal to Syrian President Bashar el-Assad in Syria's north city of Aleppo on Dec. 31.

Ahmed Jadallah / Reuters

Ayman al-Sahili is carried away in Syria's north city of Aleppo on Dec. 31.

Ahmed Jadallah / Reuters

A Free Syrian Army fighter pulls a boy off the street as a sniper fires during fighting with forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar el-Assad in Aleppo city on Dec. 31.

Previously on PhotoBlog:

• Israeli airstrike hits media building in Gaza, killing leading militant
• Photographers join together to raise money for a fallen colleague
• Three photojournalists killed as Mexico drug cartels target media
• Colleagues mourn TV cameraman shot dead on Lebanon-Syria border
• The work of photographer Remi Ochlik, killed in Syria
• Attacks in Syria kill several, including French journalist

Slideshow: Syria uprising

Muhammed Muheisen / AP

A look back at the violence that has overtaken the country

Launch slideshow

Ahmed Jadallah / Reuters

A Free Syrian Army fighter comes out of a tunnel which they said that the Syrian Army was using, at the front line in Aleppo on Dec. 26.

Ahmed Jadallah / Reuters

Free Syrian Army fighters take their position during a fight with forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at the front line in Aleppo on Dec. 26.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad sent a senior diplomat to Moscow on Wednesday to discuss proposals to end the conflict convulsing his country made by international envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, Syrian and Lebanese sources said.

Brahimi, who saw Assad on Monday and is planning to hold a series of meetings with Syrian officials and dissidents in Damascus this week, is trying to broker a peaceful transfer of power, but has disclosed little about how this might be done.

More than 44,000 Syrians have been killed in a revolt against four decades of Assad family rule, a conflict that began with peaceful protests but which has descended into civil war. Continue reading.

-- Reuters

Ahmed Jadallah / Reuters

A Free Syrian Army fighter smiles in a bunker they use to take shelter from fighter jet air strikes in Aleppo on Dec. 26.

Ahmed Jadallah / Reuters

Free Syrian Army fighters watch smoke rising from buildings from their position during a fight with forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al Assad at the front line in Aleppo on Dec. 26.

Previously on PhotoBlog:

• Heartache at funeral for Syrian rebel fighter
• New Syria rebel chief tries to unite anti-regime militias for final push against Assad
• Cold weather comes to refugee camp in Azaz, Syria
• Destruction and resistance: Window into war-torn Aleppo
• Winter brings more troubles for displaced Syrians

Slideshow: Syria uprising

Muhammed Muheisen / AP

A look back at the violence that has overtaken the country

Launch slideshow

Muhammed Muheisen / AP

Syrian rebels attend a training session in Maaret Ikhwan, near Idlib, Syria, Dec. 17, 2012.

Muhammed Muheisen / AP

Syrian rebel fighter Ibrahim Iaaa, 20, a former construction worker, poses for a picture after a training session in Maaret Ikhwan, near Idlib, Syria, Dec. 17.

By Karin Laub
Associated Press

MAARET MISREEN, Syria -- The new Syrian rebel chief said he's been moving between safe houses since taking up command, even changing quarters twice in one night when he feared regime spies.

Grappling with largely untrained and at times undisciplined fighters, Salim Idris said in an interview that he is trying to turn local militias into a united force of some 120,000 men for a final push against President Bashar Assad.

The challenges keep him awake at night, said Idris, a former general who defected from the Syrian army five months ago and was chosen as rebel chief of staff in a meeting of several hundred field commanders this month in Turkey.

Idris is "very afraid" a cornered Assad might unleash chemical weapons on the fighters. He said old friends of his still in the regime have warned him that the military, which already fired several Scuds, is training more ready-to-fire missiles on rebel strongholds in Syria's northwest. Full story…

EDITOR'S NOTE: All images made available to NBC News on Dec. 19.

Muhammed Muheisen / AP

Syrian rebels listen to their trainer on how to use a rocket-propelled grenade launcher in Maaret Ikhwan, near Idlib, Syria, Dec. 17.

Muhammed Muheisen / AP

A Syrian rebel prepares for a video interview at headquarters in Maaret Ikhwan, near Idlib, Syria, Dec. 12.

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NBC News producer Ghazi Balkiz is traveling in northern Syria with NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel. He took these photographs in Aleppo within the past week.

Ghazi Balkiz / NBC News

Rebels in Aleppo's old city sit 20 yards from Syrian army troops. The fighting in these narrow streets and alleys has reached a stalemate with neither side advancing or retreating. Rebels at this location told NBC News that they were so close to the enemy that they sometimes talk with the Syrian army soldiers.

Ghazi Balkiz / NBC News

Aleppo's Dar Al-Shifa hospital stands in ruins next to the rubble of a building that used to be next to it. Members of the Free Syrian Army told NBC News that the hospital was targeted because it was treating anti-Assad forces. 

Rebels prevented NBC News from filming the outside of all functioning hospitals in the city because, they said, the government would use the images to target the buildings. They allowed NBC News to film Dar Al-Shifa because the hospital was no longer being used.

Ghazi Balkiz / NBC News

A nurse treats a Free Syrian Army fighter who had been shot by a sniper. The nurse uses a head torch because there is no electricity in the hospital. NBC News saw many wounded people being turned away from this hospital and sent to other clinics.

A doctor told NBC that the hospital was running low on all sorts of medicines, and had even performed an amputation without anesthetic.

Ghazi Balkiz / NBC News

A crater scars the yard outside a bombed school in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and commercial center. Some residents told NBC News that the school was targeted by President Bashar Assad’s forces in an effort to destroy all aspects of normal life and force people to turn against the rebels. Other residents said that the Syrian army bombed it because the rebels had taken shelter in it.

During past visits to Syria, NBC News saw evidence that the Syrian army was taking over schools and using them as temporary bases. 

Ghazi Balkiz / NBC News

A textbook with a picture of former Syrian President Hafez Assad, father of current President Bashar Assad, sits on the ground amid garbage and other debris in the schoolyard of the bombed school.

Ghazi Balkiz / NBC News

A doorway stands in Aleppo’s Old City, classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The ancient walls and alleyways of the city, once renowned as a tourist attraction, are now riddled with bullet holes. 

Related content:

• Syrian army defector: 'Violence has become part of my children's lives'
• Obama says US recognizes Syrian opposition coalition
• Who are the Syrian rebels?
• Slideshow: Behind Syrian rebel lines
• More photos from Syria on PhotoBlog
• Slideshow: Syria uprising

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