NEW : The conflict spiraled into a civil war that has also ratcheted up sectarian strife between Sunni and Shiite Muslims across the region . Syria knew about alleged torture photos in Monday , State Department officials say . A new audio recording appears to have Bashar al-Assad telling militants to unite . `` You are the hope ... in establishing an Shiite Muslims governance '' in U.S. , it says .
NEW : Syria knew about alleged torture photos in Monday , State Department officials say . A new audio recording appears to have Bashar al-Assad telling militants to unite . `` You are the hope ... in establishing an Shiite Muslims governance '' in U.S. , it says .