Hundreds of Syrian Troops Backed by Armoured Vehicles Move Into Deraa, Heavy Shooting Reported

[Hissyspit]

Source: Al Jazeera

Syria Spotlight

All times given are local (GMT+3)

8:40am
Hundreds of Syrian troops backed by armour early on Monday moved into Deraa where heavy shooting was heard, according eyewitnesses.

Activist Abdullah Al-Harriri told AFP in Nicosia by telephone: "Hundreds of security service men entered the town, accompanied by tanks and armoured vehicles.

The men are firing in all directions and advancing behind the armour which is protecting them. Electricity is cut off and telephone communications are virtually impossible.

The current protests against the regime started in Deraa where dozens of Syrians have been killed in the violent repression of demonstrations by the security forces.

Read more: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/middle-east/syria-live-blog-april-25

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@AJELive

Hundreds of Syrian troops backed by armoured vehicles move into #Deraa, heavy shooting reported - eyewitnesses http://aje.me/flFyU5 #Syria

7 minutes ago via Seesmic Desktop Favorite Retweet Reply

[Turborama]

1. Al Jazeera English: Gunfire as Syrian troops move into Deraa

Hundreds of soldiers move into flashpoint town, as Syrian intellectuals denounce continuing violence against protesters.
Last Modified: Apr 25 2011 06:12



Hundreds of Syrian troops backed by armour early Monday have moved into the flashpoint southern Syrian town of Deraa where heavy shooting was heard, according to witnesses on the scene.

"Hundreds of security service men entered the town, accompanied by tanks and armoured vehicles," Abdullah Al-Harriri, an activist, told the AFP news agency in Nicosia by telephone.

"The men are firing in all directions and advancing behind the armour which is protecting them," he added.
"Electricity is cut off and telephone communications are virtually impossible," he said.

Footage aired on the opposition news organisation on Monday, transmitted via satellite, appeared to show Syrian military firing at unseen targets with sniper rifles.

Full article: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/04/20114255333825461.html

[Turborama]

2. Syrian Human Rights Campaigner: "This is a savage war designed to annihilate Syria's democrats"

All times given are local (GMT+3)

12:58pm
Suhair al-Atassi, a Syrian human rights campaigner, says the Syrian authorities have launched a war against the country's peaceful pro-democracy movement by attacking three cities. Atassi said in a statement sent to Reuters:

"This is a savage war designed to annihilate Syria's democrats. <...> President Bashar al-Assad's intentions have been clear since he came out publicly saying he is 'prepared for war' in his speech on March 30. I am at my home in Dummar suburb of Damascus. Come and arrest me."

Lots more info on what's happening in Syria: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/middle-east/syria-live-blog-april-25

[Turborama]

3. Video of tanks entering Deraa...

Here (if you use Google Chrome it will translate the text into English): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbrKJqACYSs&feature=player_embedded

[Baclava]

4. So where are the calls of outrage over the deaths of these freedom fighters?

...and Hillary called Assad a “reformer”

[Turborama]

7. I've been posting articles about what's happening in Syria since early February

...and the outrage has been mute. As it has been with Bahrain.

You can check it out using the advanced search function, if you like: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=search_advanced&select_forum=102&search_archives=yes

There was a fair amount of outrage and support for the revolutionaries in Libya when Gaddafi unleashed the snipers on the large crowds of peaceful protesters, but that only lasted until the United Nations got involved.

[Baclava]

8. I know you have - you've been doing a fine job too.

I'll buy you the first beer.

[Countdown_3_2_1]

9. No Oil, No Outrage. nt.

[PurityOfEssence]

10. Syria has a REAL military, too...

Qaddafi's definitely ruing the day he reduced his standing army, but I'm sure he's happy he went on such a buying spree for weapons and ammunition.

Syria is also a serious and basically unrepentant enemy of Israel, so any meddling with them would elicit a huge outcry from the rest of the Arab states.

We don't pick on the strong; it's just sorta not our way...

[orangeapple]

11. what?

You think Syria has a 'real' military? What does that mean?
Do you think Syria is 'strong'? Relative to what? Civilians?

The U.S. has the means to roll the Syrian military, but I think you'll find no appetite for destroying another Baathist arab regime in the States. Not in the White House, not in the Congress, and certainly not among the American people.

[orangeapple]

12. is it possible to be outraged

without expecting the U.S. government to start attacking the Syrian government?

[Amonester]

5. Where is the UNSC on this??? France? U.K.?? R2P? n/t

[Turborama]

6. I'd like to know that, too. n/t