SYRIA – Rebels retreat from Damascus suburb

Laaska  News  Jan 22, 2011

Photo: AFP    

Syrian rebels have retreated from the town of Duma near Damascus afterpartially seizing it on Saturday.

News agencies say the sounds of shooting and explosions could be heard there during the night, but the situation in Damascus remained calm.

A wave of anti-government protests has been sweeping Syria for nine successive months.

Fresh casualties on both sides are reported almost daily.

The authorities claim that more than 2,000 army servicemen and policemen have been killed in clashes with armed protesters.

According to UN sources, the protest death toll exceeds 5,000.
Casualties reported in rebel-seized Syrian town

 

On Saturday, a group of Syrian rebels, mostly army deserters, partially seized the town of Douma near Damascus.

The rebels barricaded the streets. The sounds of gunfire and explosions could be heard in the town.

Casualties have been reported on both sides, but the exact number is unknown.

The authorities say that more than 2,000 army and police servicemen have been killed in clashes with the armed opposition over the past nine months.
Syrian opposition wants UN intervention

 

The opposition Syrian National Council has renewed its call to the Arab League to refer the Syrian dossier to the UN Security Council.

A SNC representative said on Saturday that the decision had come after the AL monitors failed to end the bloodshed in the country. Foreign Ministers of the Arab league countries are meeting today in Cairo to consider the monitors’ report.

The Syrian government earlier agreed to extend the mission’s stay in the country but is categorically against giving it any additional authority.
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Rebels close in on Damascus
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In Syria armed rebel units, made up of government soldiers siding with the opposition, have captured a town just outside the capital Damascus.

Similar firefights have been reported also in Deir-Ezzor, Homs and other towns.

The new spiral of violence comes just as Arab League monitors prepare a report on the situation in Syria for AL foreign ministers, gathering in Cairo later in the day.

(RIAN, TASS, BBC, Lenta.ru),VOR

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Laaska News.
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