Government forces have fired at least half a dozen short-range ballistic missiles at rebel groups in northern Syria over the past several days, according to U.S. officials, a potentially significant escalation of a civil war that has killed more than 40,000 people.
U.S. officials and Human Rights Watch also alleged Wednesday that Syrian government forces are dropping incendiary devices similar to napalm on rebel fighters in populated areas.
The officials described the tactics as acts of desperation as rebels gain momentum in the fight to oust President Bashar Assad.