Civil war rages in Syria as U.S. reaffirms stance against Assad

2014-10-31 104

Civil defense workers scramble through the streets in the aftermath of an attack in Aleppo.

The video, which can not be independently verified by Reuters, shows a man holding a pigeon taunting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad saying "the pigeon is alive regardless of you."

More footage shows rebel fighters preparing for a counter attack. While much of the focus in Syria has been on the Islamic State threat -- there has been no let up to Syria's civil war which has already killed close to 200,000 people.

In an interview with CNN, White House spokesman Josh Earnest denied that Washington's focus on Islamic State comes at the expense pushing Assad out of power. He said, "The policy that we have for Assad is really clear: We believe that he's lost the legitimacy to lead."

President Barack Obama has been criticized at home and abroad as failing to address attacks by Assad's forces that undermine the Syrian opposition Washington will ultimately need in the region.