Ma'loula or Maaloula is a village in Syria with historical and archeological significance...

[pampango]

3. According to the UK Guardian, the rebels have withdrawn from the town.

Syrian opposition forces have withdrawn from Maaloula, the ancient Christian village they first entered on Wednesday, the BBC reports based on a Syrian National Coalition account:

"For months the rebels have been around Maaloula but there has been a sort of an understanding with the residents that they would not enter," Samia Elias, a resident who stayed in Maaloula during the fighting, told the Reuters news agency.

"To be fair, they do not seem to have touched churches or homes."

Overnight, the National Coalition issued a statement confirming that FSA units had withdrawn after destroying army posts at Maaloula.

The opposition alliance also stressed its "commitment to protect all Syrians, no matter what their religion, race, confession or political belief, and its constant concern to preserve Syria's human and religious heritage by every means possible".

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/06/syria-crisis-splits-g20-live

I agree. When people say there is nothing we can do to help Syrians that is not true. Humanitarian needs are tremendous for the refugees and internally displaced persons. Their needs are not being met. Doing so would cost a fraction of what a military strike would cost.