Activists: Army Kills At Least 145 across Syria, Among Them 113 in Hama
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
At least 145 people were killed on Sunday, among them 113 in the flashpoint protest city of Hama, when the Syrian military stormed several cities across the country, the National Organization for Human Rights said.
Activists said it was one of deadliest days in Syria since demonstrators first took to the streets on March 15 demanding democratic reforms before turning their wrath on the regime and calling for its ouster.
Abdul Karim Rihawi, head of the Syrian League for the Defense of Human Rights, said “100 civilians were shot dead Sunday in Hama by security forces.”
Rihawi added that “five people were shot dead by security forces in several neighborhoods of Homs, whose residents took to the streets in support of the city of Hama.”
Ammar Qorabi, who heads the National Organization for Human Rights, said that elsewhere, "19 people were killed in Deir Ezzor in the east, six more died in Harak in the south and one in al-Bukamal," also in the east.
Earlier, Rami Abdul Rahman of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported a death toll in Hama of 45, but said that number could rise because of many seriously wounded and a lack of medical supplies.
He also reported six dead and 50 wounded in Deir Ezzor and three killed and dozens wounded at Harak in the Daraa region.
One resident reached by phone told Agence France Presse the army entered Hama at around 6:00 am (0300 GMT) in an apparent operation to wrest back control after almost two months during which security forces were absent.
Another said: "Five tanks are now deployed outside the governor's palace," and spoke of intermittent gunfire.
The official SANA news agency reported two members of the security forces killed on Sunday by "armed groups" in Hama.
"Two law enforcement members were martyred by armed groups in Hama who set police stations on fire, vandalized public and private properties, set up roadblocks and barricades and burned tires at the entrance of the city and in its streets," an English-language report on the SANA website said.
It said soldiers were dismantling the barricades.
"Armed groups of scores of gunmen are stationed on the rooftops of the main buildings in the streets of the city, carrying up-to-date machine guns and RPGs and shooting intensively to terrorize citizens," it quoted unidentified residents as saying.
The Syrian Observatory said the army also launched an operation against Muadhamiya in the Damascus region.
"Security forces launched an offensive at 5:00 am (0200 GMT) on Muadhamiya from the north, with tanks blocking the southern, eastern and western entrances to the town," Abdul Rahman said.
The Syrian League for the Defense of Human Rights reported more than 300 people detained in Muadhamiya, where electricity supplies and communications had been cut.
The eastern oil hub of Deir Ezzor and Hama have been rallying points for pro-democracy protests since mid-March.
In 1982, an estimated 20,000 people were killed in Hama when the army put down an Islamist revolt against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad's late father, Hafez.
The president replaced the governor of Hama after a record 500,000 protesters rallied in the opposition bastion on July 1 calling for the fall of the regime.
Activists said at the time it was the single largest demonstration of its kind since the pro-democracy movement erupted on March 15.
Since security forces gunned down 48 protesters in the city on June 3, Hama had escaped the clutches of the regime, activists say. The next day, more than 100,000 mourners were reported to have massed at their funerals.
On Saturday, Abdul Rahman said troops shot dead three people who stoned a military convoy heading to quell growing anti-regime dissent in Deir Ezzor.
He said about 60 military vehicles including tanks, personnel carriers and trucks crammed with soldiers deployed there.
A man identifying himself as a Syrian army colonel told AFP that he had defected and has "hundreds" of troops under his command ready to confront the regular army in Deir Ezzor.
"I warn the Syrian authorities that I will send my troops to fight with the (regular) army if they do not stop the operations in Deir Ezzor," Riad al-Asaad said.
"I am the commander of the Syrian Free Army," he said, adding that he commanded "hundreds" of troops and was calling from inside Syria "near the Turkish border."
His claim could not be independently verified.
Deir Ezzor, the main oil- and gas-producing region in Syria, produces 380,000 barrels of oil per day and has seen almost daily demonstrations against the regime.
On Friday, at least three people were killed there when security forces opened fire on 300,000 mourners at the funerals of three people killed the previous day, activists said.
Since anti-regime protests broke out, the crackdown on dissent has resulted in the deaths of more than 1,500 civilians and more than 360 members of the security forces, according to a Syrian Observatory toll.
More than 12,000 people are also reported to have been arrested in the crackdown.
31 July 2011, 12:28
71
That's what we call good news from Syria ... They should have another Hama remake ..
31 July 2011, 13:53
00
Le Penis-ian... you must be armenian...
I hope people are wishing the same thing on you and your family.. i know i am.
A remake of Hama 82 would bring down Syria's government faster than a house of cards in the wind. It seems they are trying.. which is good news.. Assad will be hung from the shortest rope they can find.. Maher on the other hand i hope will endure years of torture under the hands of the Syrian people before his heart stops beating.. if ever there was a time that it did.
You are on the wrong end of the stick, and blind if you cannot see that the assad clan and the supporting troops will fall and face the ultimate in retribution. i patiently await the day, with a book full of comments that i will have for you.
No doubt you probably will stop posting here when that happens.. finally figuring out that your political mindset is found to be wanting.
May God help the parents who have lost their children and the children who lost their parents. God Bless the People.
31 July 2011, 14:22
01
The regime who has opressed the Syrians for 41 years under the pretense of protecting them from the "Zionist enemy" is committing massacres that no enemy could dream of doing.
31 July 2011, 15:06
00
Hama rule II: Arab Spring is shifting into Arab Fall !!
In 1982 Assad Senior leveled Hama to relay a message to the Sunnis in Syria that his rule and only his rule was the law of the land. Then, Hafez removed all media reporters from Hama before launching his military operation that left nothing in Hama standing including the Mosques.
Seemingly, 28 years later Bashar is attempting to re-write Hama rule with re-launching the same type of operation. However, this time around the whole world is watching and Bashar cannot obscure his action no longer, resulting with the loss of Assad's legitimacy and ultimately the end to the Assad era in Syria.
The Syrian Sunnis will not tolerate any traces of the Nuseiri regime in Syria.. Assad will taste his own medicine that he instilled on Lebanon for 30 years..
31 July 2011, 16:32
21
The Syrian army should treat these traitors like it did with the Lebanese army traitors in 1990 and kill them even if they surrender .
31 July 2011, 17:48
01
Big and pipi are advocating the death of thousands. Thank u for showing us the face of the so called resistance and the general clown u support.
This is too easy! Lol
31 July 2011, 18:05
03
This is the evil coward the m8 camp adores? This is an absolute tragedy and a crime against humanity, let alone freedom. To All who condone this tragedy: god sees all nd you will most certainly burn in hell!
31 July 2011, 18:15
10
The more Sunni fundamentalists and terrorists get terminated, the merrier.
31 July 2011, 18:28
01
Bigdig: the USA as well as the west is taking advantage of all diplomatic means possible. Calling for a change in regime and imposing further sanctions againt the regime. What more can they do? A NATO or US strike against Syria would be counterproductive and would only spark a greater war with Syria Iran Hezbollah and their Palestinian and Iraqi proxies. I think this shows as a care of loss life dont u think? Nobody wants such a war, Assad knows this and he is taking advantage of it. If u knew anything about international relations or as a matter of fact what has been going on in the Arab spring you would have kept ur mouth shut. Spporting the revolution in Egypt wasn't in america's interest! And ur dreamin! The USA wants nothing more than the fall of the Syrian regime! In what way do they and can they benefitnfrom it? NOTHING! No Assad = no transport hub to Hezbollah and the Palestinians that harm their beloved Israel ;) if you don't think the strongest country in the world doesnt
31 July 2011, 18:30
01
bigdig you see that's why you're an idiot
go bury your self in the bigdig you useless creature
Notice
- Italy condemns “horrible act” in Syrian city of Hama
July 31, 2011 | 17:52
- France condemns with the most extreme firmness the continued repression by the Syrian authorities
July 31, 2011 | 17:12
- Berlin threatens new sanctions against Syrian regime
July 31, 2011 | 16:22
- US official says Syrian authorities launching “war” against Syrians
July 31, 2011 | 16:15
- Britain calls on Syria to halt deadly attacks
July 31, 2011 | 13:38
31 July 2011, 18:30
01
bigdig you see that's why you're an idiot
go bury your self in the bigdig you useless creature
Notice
- Italy condemns “horrible act” in Syrian city of Hama
July 31, 2011 | 17:52
- France condemns with the most extreme firmness the continued repression by the Syrian authorities
July 31, 2011 | 17:12
- Berlin threatens new sanctions against Syrian regime
July 31, 2011 | 16:22
- US official says Syrian authorities launching “war” against Syrians
July 31, 2011 | 16:15
- Britain calls on Syria to halt deadly attacks
July 31, 2011 | 13:38
31 July 2011, 18:35
03
And another snippet about democracy and freedom; George bush is the man who liberated the suffering people of south Sudan and accelerated their freedom. Read up on the USA and don't jut listen to ur Amewikan hating fat rat
31 July 2011, 18:55
10
LOL@ ithinkthere14iam...another naive fool who thinks the USA is the savior of the world! But then again, he/she is a March 14 supporter....
31 July 2011, 19:13
05
Le Big Phlegm,
You must be a frustrated celibate teenager with not much social life trying to get noticed anyway you can. Most of us find you an entertaining provocateur, but as we all know, little bullies with no moral compass grow up to be fanatics, or worse - to be terrorists. You parents should give you an intervention- unless of course, they themselves need intervention.
31 July 2011, 19:39
40
Depending on a Syrian revolution to become powerful, big fail M14. Masters of idiotic decisions. M8 rules you, and will keep on doing so. You can keep whining about illegitimate weapons, it's funny, even the Israelis aren't whining as much. Shame on you all, and hey, you don't think therefore you have a Sami Gemayel picture, how about you give your leader a few testosterone boosters, and a few votes, don't they have like 5 MPs lol! That's what happens 30 years after you let the palestinians in, and Geagea has what 4 MPs? That's what happens when you let the Syrians in the cry how they beat you in your house. GMA and SHN will bring Lebanon to new heights without killing fellow lebanese you traitors.
31 July 2011, 20:19
01
@Le Phenicien: Yes good news like when the Syrian military used to massacre thousands of Lebanese am I right?
31 July 2011, 21:31
02
Regardless what colour you are and what camp you belong to, this is a tragedy and crime against humanity. Killing unarmed civilians in such a barbaric ways (many videos are already on YouTube) is nothing short of cowardliness. The Regime should have figured by now that killing people like this will not send the rest hiding home but in the contrary it will ignite the fire under them... Shame on them and big shame on a young president that many had high hopes for
Peace to all
31 July 2011, 21:42
01
Did someone say there is no official reaction from USA?
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/11678-appalled-obama-vows-to-isolate-assad-s-regime
31 July 2011, 23:03
03
the syrian people are paying dearly for the silence and complicity with the alawi regime duting the 30 years of lebanase occupation.
the agony, will not be long as signs of desperation are already very palpable.
i cannot but remember the dark days of achrafieh,tell el zaatar,zahle,saida,tripoli,west beirut,beit mery....the heroes of the lebanese army massacred in dahr el wahch by opening their veins...god deliver our general from his amnesia/epidemy...
31 July 2011, 23:53
02
Notice how bigdickinmouth isn't decrying the wanton killing of unarmed civilians, but rather wants to blame the US for not speaking up.
PATHETIC.
01 August 2011, 01:31
11
"@Le Phenicien
'That's what we call good news from Syria ... They should have another Hama remake .."
Hear this:
Unless you repent of the hatred you have in your heart, and ask Jesus to cleanse your heart from evil and sin, you WILL stand in front of Him on judgment day, and He will hold you accountable of what you have written .
" This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."
01 August 2011, 06:01
30
Orthodox Christians are ready to defend Al Assad against the Salafi's , Give us our blessing Abouna
01 August 2011, 09:24
00
Bigdig, why are you waiting on other governments to condemn these actions? Americans, French, Italian, German and Lebanese are denouncing, yet you have nothing to say except that why doesnt USA condemn..they did, and you an "Arab" have still not done or said anything. Shame on you, and like Penis-ian i hope one day you will feel the pain these brave souls have felt and went through. Maybe then you will call out loud for the USA to condemn.
01 August 2011, 09:45
00
The end is near for this coward regime, and hopefully for their surrogate Hizb of Iran here. This Hizb has no shame declaring its allegiance and loyalty to a regime that is committing the ugliest massacres in history, perhaps worse than the Nazis. Saddam Hussein retaliated against an armed rebellion against the shiites who attempted to assassinate him... Nasarallah and the shiites rejoiced when the great satan America went in and executed the man. But, when Assad kills innocent civilians, babies, tortures men and women.... Nasarallah calls him a hero and the only regime left that supports arab causes.... What a wicked and evil Hizb... full of hatred, jealousy, and religious prejudice. I pray your day will come soon and we will rejoice in your demise.
