Syrian Opposition to Gather for a United Voice in Istanbul

Syrian opposition groups are to meet in a bid to settle their differences, as the violence in their country threatens to descend into civil war, sources among the groups said Thursday.

Senior members of the main opposition, Syrian National Council (SNC), Kurdish National Council, and smaller groups such as one led by tribal chief Nawaf al-Bashir will meet in Istanbul Friday and Saturday, they said.

"It is kind of a last call to join us," a SNC source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The bid to iron out their differences comes ahead of a major conference organized by opposition groups in Cairo under the auspices of the Arab League, at a date to be announced.

The newly elect head of SNC, Kurdish activist Abdel Basset Sayda, said as he took office last Sunday that his priority was to unify the opposition.

Amnesty International on Thursday accused Syria of committing crimes against humanity to punish communities supporting rebels.

The allegations came as the Syrian Observatory reported that more than 14,400 people have been killed in Syria in the revolt against Assad's regime, including 2,302 in the past month alone.