Friday 4 November 2011

Syria: Homs military attacks continue, say activists


The BBC's Jonathan Head: "Doctors in Homs... say that in the past 48 hours they've collected more than 100 bodies"
Syrian military forces have resumed attacks in the city of Homs, activists say, despite agreeing to withdraw from urban areas under an Arab League deal.
Tanks have been shelling parts of the city, and medics at the main hospital told the BBC more than 100 bodies had arrived in the past two days.
Activists say at least nine people have been killed in protests in Homs and other cities on Friday.
Wednesday's Arab League deal had called for an end to suppression of protests.
On Friday, Syrian state TV did announce an amnesty for anti-government fighters.
"The interior ministry invites those who carry arms, who sold them, distributed them, bought them or financed their purchase and who have not committed any murder to turn themselves in and surrender their weapons to the nearest police station," it said.
'Machinegun fire' Homs has been a focus of opposition to President Bashar al-Assad since the uprising against him began in March.
Local human rights groups report continued military operations against opposition strongholds, including artillery bombardments of residential areas.
Map
The killings over the past two days have mostly been in the Baba Amr district. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights group said the area had been "raked with heavy machinegun fire" on Friday, with a number of deaths.
It also reported that troops had opened fire in the city's Ghuta neighbourhood, killing two civilians and wounding four.
One protester was also killed by troops in the town of Kanaker, outside Damascus, the Observatory said.
One Kanaker resident told Reuters by telephone: "Lots of people fell on the ground with bullet wounds and we are afraid some will not make it."
Journalists are unable to move around freely in Syria and information is hard to verify independently.
Protests have also been reported in Damascus, Hama, Latakia, Deraa, Deir el-Zour and other smaller cities.
The Arab League announced on Wednesday that the Syrian government had agreed to begin a dialogue with the opposition within two weeks.
Officials in Damascus said they would release all political prisoners and allow journalists and rights groups to monitor the situation.
Opposition groups in Syria accused Mr Assad's government of trying to buy itself time.
France on Friday said Syria was breaking its promises to the Arab League.
French foreign ministry deputy spokesman Romain Nadal said: "The continuing repression can only strengthen the international community's doubts about the Syrian regime's sincerity to implement the Arab League peace plan."

No comments:

Why cows may be hiding something but AI can spot it

  By Chris Baraniuk Technology of Business reporter Published 22 hours ago Share IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES Image caption, Herd animals like...