US: Assad fires first Syrian Scud missiles at rebels

An unnamed US official reported to the New York Times another major escalation in Syria: Bashar Assad has started using his Russian-made Scud ballistic missiles, which are capable of carrying warheads including chemical weapons, against rebel-held areas. More than six have been fired so far.  
The Obama administration has warned the Assad regime of serious consequences if he resorts to extreme measures, such as chemical weapons, to crush the nearly two-year armed rebellion against him.