The regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fired Scud missiles at rebel fighters in what is being described as a major escalation. According to the New York Times, more than six missiles have been fired from around the capital Damascus into northern Syria. If confirmed, the move would mark the first time the Assad regime has used the Scuds in Syria’s 20-month-old internal conflict. In Washington, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said Assad is displaying “desperation and brutality.”

Victoria Nuland: “As the regime becomes more and more desperate, we see it resorting to increased lethality and more vicious weapons moving forward, and we have in recent days seen missiles deployed. So I would also say that we are seeing use of another egregious weapon, this kind of barrel bomb, which is an incendiary bomb that contains flammable materials. It’s sort of a napalm-like thing, and it’s completely indiscriminate in terms of civilians. So, very, very concerning and indicative of the regime’s desperation and the regime’s brutality.”