The International Cmmitte of the Red Cross has declared the Syrian conflict a civil war, meaning that combatants are now officialy bound by the Geneva Conventions, which will make them more liable for war crimes prosecutions.
The ICRC said the fighting has now spread beyond the three main areas of fighting around Idlib, Hama and Homs.
Spokesman Hicham Hassan said Syria was now regards as a "non-international armed conflict", the technical term for civil war.
"What matters is that international humanitarian law applies wherever hostilities between government forces and opposition groups are taking place across the country," he said.
The Geneva Conventions ban indiscriminate attacks on civilians and medics and allows prosecution of transgressions as war crimes.
Syria rejects massacre accusations (15 Jul 2012)
