Free Republic

Hamza al-Khatib disappeared after his arrest on April 29 after an anti-government protest in Dera'a, where the rebellion was ignited by the arrest by police of children spray-painting revolutionary graffiti from Tunisia. Last Wednesday, however, the young boy reappeared, albeit no longer intact, and no longer alive. Syrian security forces returned his body to his parents on the condition they agreed to sign a form promising to bury his body immediately. Activists made sure to film detailed video footage of the 13-year-old's battered and bullet-riddled body, and to post that video on YouTube, before the boy was laid to rest....

The man left his friends and family almost two weeks ago heading into a mountainous region of the Palestinian Authority area. He took Christian materials including cassettes, videos and Bibles with him. After approximately ten days during which his friends and family received no word from him, his body was returned to them. He had been brutally killed and his body carved into four pieces as a warning to other converts. He leaves behind a wife and two small children. The names and further details of those involved are being withheld by Barnabas Fund for their own safety. Local Christians...

Hebrew languarge news 'Walla' says Kurdish Radio stated that Iraqi forces are retreating from the area of Kirkut.Kurdistan sources tell the BBC that governemnt foces loyal by Saddam Hussein moved into the town of Hawi Jah, and tried to persuade members of the Jabbor tribe to fight alongside them on the northern front.When they refused a clash bagan with the Jabbor tribe and the Iraqi Army Jaysh Al-Quds Brigade.And this morning the Iraqi army allegedly butchered the five hundered tribesman with knives..