InfoAnda - Syria force surrounds town after defections: residents |

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Habs rolling over Hurricanes 4-0 after two periods | 17 November 2011
Swiss whistleblower hands bank data to WikiLeaks | | 17 January 2011
Vietnam to reopen Cam Ranh Bay to foreign fleets: PM | 31 October 2010

Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region | 8 August 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Syria force surrounds town after defections: residents |

Edition: U.S. Africa Arabic Argentina Brazil Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan Latin America Mexico Russia Spain United Kingdom Home Business Business Home Economy Technology Media Small Business Green Business Legal Deals Earnings Summits Business Video Markets Markets Home U.S. Markets European Markets Asian Markets Global Market Data Indices M&A Stocks Bonds Currencies Commodities Futures Funds peHUB World World Home U.S. Brazil China Euro Zone Japan Mexico Russia Afghan Journal Africa Journal India Insight Global News Journal Pakistan: Now or Never? World Video Politics Politics Home Front Row Washington Politics Video Technology Technology Home MediaFile Science Tech Video Opinion Opinion Home Chrystia Freeland Felix Salmon Breakingviews George Chen Bernd Debusmann Gregg Easterbrook James Pethokoukis James Saft John Wasik Christopher Whalen Ian Bremmer Mohamed El-Erian Lawrence Summers The Great Debate Unstructured Finance Newsmaker MuniLand Money Money Home Analyst Research Global Investing MuniLand Reuters Money Alerts Watchlist Portfolio Stock Screener Fund Screener Personal Finance Video Life & Culture Health Sports Arts Faithworld Business Traveler Left Field Entertainment Oddly Enough Lifestyle Video Pictures Pictures Home Reuters Photographers Full Focus Video Article Comments (1) Full Focus Editor's choice A selection of our top photos from the past 48 hours. Full Article Follow Reuters Facebook Twitter RSS YouTube Read Obama picks labor expert Krueger as top economist | 4:47pm EDT UPDATE 1-Obama warns Hurricane Irene flooding could worsen 28 Aug 2011 Obama says will unveil jobs plan next week 11:42am EDT Candidate Bachmann brushes off hurricane joke 4:46pm EDT New York starts clean up efforts after hurricane 1:15pm EDT Discussed 103 Astronomers discover planet made of diamond 92 White House to nominate Krueger as top economist 78 UPDATE 1-Obama warns Hurricane Irene flooding could worsen Watched Hurricane Irene blows boat away Sat, Aug 27 2011 Rebels push to Gaddafi hometown 1:16am EDT Buenos Aires Fashion week sizzles Mon, Aug 22 2011 Syria force surrounds town after defections: residents Tweet Share this Email Print Related News Syria force surrounds town after defections: residents 7:56am EDT Syrian forces storm northern town, fight defectors: residents Sun, Aug 28 2011 Thousands march anew against Syria's Assad, 2 killed Fri, Aug 26 2011 Syrian protesters chant "Bye Gaddafi, Bashar next" Thu, Aug 25 2011 U.S. envoy visits Syria town, U.N. launches inquiry Tue, Aug 23 2011 Analysis & Opinion We have everything we need to battle Irene The thin line between activism and hooliganism Related Topics World » Syria » Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (L) meets Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov in Damascus August 29, 2011, in this handout photograph released by Syria's national news agency SANA. Credit: Reuters/Sana/Handout By Khaled Yacoub Oweis AMMAN | Mon Aug 29, 2011 4:35pm EDT AMMAN (Reuters) - An armored Syrian force surrounded a town near the city of Homs Monday and fired heavy machineguns after the defection of tens of soldiers in the area, activists and residents said. One woman, 45 year-old Amal Qoraman, was killed and five other people were injured, they said, adding that tens of people were arrested in house to house raids in the town of 40,0000. Since the demise of Muammar Gaddafi's rule in Libya, activists and residents have reported increasing defections among Syrian troops, as well as more intense street protests in a five-month-old uprising against President Bashar al Assad. Syrian authorities have repeatedly denied army defections have been taking place. They have expelled independent media since the uprising began in March. Activists say there have been desertions in eastern Deir al-Zor province, northwestern Idlib province, the Homs countryside and the outskirts of Damascus, where security forces fought gunbattles with defectors Sunday. At least 40 light tanks and armored vehicles, and 20 buses of troops and military intelligence members deployed at dawn at the entrance of Rastan, 20 km (12 miles) north of Homs and began firing heavy machineguns at the town, two residents said. "The tanks deployed at both banks of the highway, which remained open, and fired long bursts from their machineguns at Rastan," one of the residents, who gave his name as Raed, told Reuters by phone. He said defections began in the town when it was stormed by tanks three months ago to crush large street protests against Assad in an assault that killed dozens of civilians. Security forces killed Monday a former officer who had played a key role in coordinating army defections, activists said. Mostapha Selim Hezbollah, a former air force officer in his 40s', was shot dead when his car was ambushed near the town of Kfar Nubul in Idlib province, which borders Turkey, they said. "It was a targeted assassination. A companion who was with him in the car was badly wounded but we managed to get him to a hospital. The attack happened just before 'iftar' (breaking of fast). We don't know yet if it was security police or troops who fired at them," one of the activists told Reuters by phone. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which is based in Britain, said five other people were killed earlier in military assaults on several towns in Idlib. Rastan is traditionally a reservoir of recruits for the mostly Sunni rank-and-file army that is dominated by officers from the Alawite minority sect to which Assad belongs, and effectively commanded by his younger brother Maher. Troops backed by tanks also entered the town of Qara on the same highway south of the city of Homs, which has been scene of daily protests, killing one resident and arresting tens of people in house to house raids, activists said. "These armored assaults on outlying areas are designed to crush protests and to contain any defections in the army," said a Syrian political analyst in Damascus, who did not want to be named because of fear for his safety. "The regime's political control on the army had seemed unbreakable, but that is no longer the case, after soldiers saw mosques being stormed, worshippers attacked and minarets shelled," he said. PRESSURE The fall of Gaddafi coincided with increased international pressure on Assad, with European Union sanctions on the oil sector that could come as early as this week. European Union governments may also impose sanctions on Syrian banks as well as energy and telecommunications companies within a week, EU diplomats said Monday. President Abdullah Gul of Turkey, once a strong supporter of Assad, said recently that the situation had reached a point in Syria where changes would be too little too late. The Arab League said it was concerned "over the dangerous developments on the Syrian arena that had caused thousands of casualties" and "stresses the importance of ending bloodshed and to resort to reason before it is too late." At an Arab League meeting in Cairo, Syrian representative Youssef Ahmad said "the response of the Syrian leadership to the just popular demands has helped stop the popular movement in many cities and their decline in other areas." He said the authorities were pursuing reforms but they will not "allow terrorism and extremism to target peaceful coexistence in Syria and the independence of its patriotic and national decisions." The official state news agency said the attorney general of the city of Hama, 210 km north of Damascus, was kidnapped by armed men on his way to work Monday. Citing witnesses, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 15,000 people demonstrated overnight in the town of Saraqeb in the Idlib province that borders Turkey. It also reported demonstrations in Deraa province and Damascus suburbs. "Oppressor, your reign is coming to the end. Prepare yourself for execution," chanted a crowd in the town of Hirak in the southern Hauran Plain, according to video footage distributed by residents. In Damascus, dozens of soldiers defected and fled into al-Ghouta, an area of farmland, after pro-Assad forces fired at a large crowd of demonstrators near the suburb of Harasta to prevent them from marching on the center of the capital, residents said. "The army has been firing heavy machineguns throughout the night at al-Ghouta and they were being met with response from smaller rifles," a resident of Harasta told Reuters by phone. It was the first reported defection around the capital, where Assad's core forces are based. "The younger conscripts who defect mainly go back to their town and villages and hide. We have seen more experienced defectors fighting back in the south, in Idlib, and around Damascus," said an activist who gave his name as Abu Khaled. (Reporting by Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Amman newsroom; Editing by Diana Abdallah) World Syria Tweet this Link this Share this Digg this Email Reprints We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/ Comments (1) Whys333 wrote: And now it crumbles from within. A new day dawns for Syria. Aug 29, 2011 4:55pm EDT -- Report as abuse See All Comments » Add Your Comment Social Stream (What's this?) Edition: U.S. Africa Arabic Argentina Brazil Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan Latin America Mexico Russia Spain United Kingdom Back to top Reuters.com Business Markets World Politics Technology Opinion Money Pictures Videos Site Index Mobile Legal Bankruptcy Law California Legal New York Legal Securities Law Support & Contact Contact Us Advertise With Us Connect with Reuters Twitter Facebook LinkedIn RSS Newsletters About Privacy Policy Terms of Use Our Flagship financial information platform incorporating Reuters Insider An ultra-low latency infrastructure for electronic trading and data distribution A connected approach to governance, risk and compliance Our next generation legal research platform Our global tax workstation Thomsonreuters.com About Thomson Reuters Investor Relations Careers Contact Us Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Gaddafi wife and three children in Algeria |
California lawmakers considering ban on Styrofoam
Syria force surrounds town after defections: residents |
Outstanding start by Red Sox pitcher Andrew Miller keeps him in rotation
Britney Spears reveals "Criminal" as new single
Man suffers cardiac arrest, dies during Ironman competition
Nicki Minaj, Jason Mraz join Taylor Swift on-stage for surprise duets
Can Winnipeg win? Chris Mason believes Jets goaltending can be strong point
New bird flu mutant strain emerges in China, Vietnam
Gaddafi’s wife, children flee to Algeria
Mike Tyson, TMZ's Harvey Levin to roast Charlie Sheen on Comedy Central special
Cholera outbreak claims 20 lives in Congo
EU weighs ban on Syria firms alongside oil embargo |
Islamist sect Boko Haram claims Nigerian U.N. bombing |
Journalist flees Ecuador to evade prison sentence |
Amazon may sell 3-5 million tablets in Q4: Forrester |
Cisco buys Versly to boost collaboration tech |
Vodafone explores cooperation with Greek telecoms operator |
Aufeminin.com hunting for acquisitions abroad |
Chaz Bono, Ryan O'Neal said to be among Dancing cast |
Libya rebels demand Algeria return Gaddafi family |
Aquino replaces Philippine Customs Bureau head
Riots spur British retailers to hike insurance coverage
Three American tech firms joint venture to rival Google’s mobile phone payment service
New Japan PM Noda faces party feud, split parliament |
U.S. judge temporarily blocks Alabama immigration law
Analysts forecast Pfizer, Bristol-Myers to control 60 percent of market for blood thinners
Defender Jeremy Hall pressed into duty in FC Dallas debut, adjusts quickly
Bank of America sells 50 percent stake to Chinese
Somali border town feels the refugee pressure
Syrian town of Rastan hit by crackdown on dissent
Russia's Putin revs up vote campaign astride a bike |
Estimate of Hurricane Irene's insurer cost down to $2.6 billion; death toll rises to 37
Yemen's Saleh commits to presidential elections: agency |
Analysis: Graft crisis may hand India Eureka moment on reform |
Strauss-Kahn returns to IMF, gets warm applause |
Nigeria youths kill several Muslims during prayers |
HP says prefers to spin off PC unit |
Mobile ad firm Blyk names insider Eric Kip as CEO |
Samsung unveils 3 smartphones to run on own platform |
Australia regulator may delay Telstra separation plan |
China state media urge crackdown on microblog rumors |
Lost star Matthew Fox accused of assaulting bus driver |
Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV falls short with critics |
Nancy Grace, Chaz Bono among Dancing cast |
Beyonce shows off baby bump at MTV video awards |
Janet Jackson says too difficult to attend tribute |
Judge bars testimony from longtime Jackson doctor |
Egyptians celebrate Eid without Mubarak, pray in Tahrir |
China announces plans to boost secret detention powers |
Cholera soars in Lake Chad Basin countries
Analysis: Security fears behind Algeria haven for Gaddafi family |
MTV's 2011 Video Music Awards rated best yet
WTI crude price falls over U.S. oil supply issues
Eid protests across Syria defy tanks and troops |
12th tropical storm brewing
Somali pirates grow more daring
Miranda Lambert knew Blake Shelton was "off limits" while married
Iran invites Libyan rebel chief to Tehran
Housing crisis looms in Britain – Study
Nuggets free agent swingman Wilson Chandler to play in China
Russia's Putin revs up vote campaign astride a bike |
Judge considers whether to make public Prop. 8 trial videos
Gaddafi's daughter gives birth in Algeria: source |
Rights groups urge Sudan to end indiscriminate bombing |
Nigeria president vows more security after U.N. bomb |
HP executive says PC business to remain world No.1 |
Barnes & Noble forecasts strong Nook growth |
Amazon may sell 3-5 million tablets in Q4: Forrester |
Samsung Elec to cut TV LCD output sharply: report |
Red carpet out for star-studded Venice film festival |
David Honeyboy Edwards, blues man, dies at 96 |
Russia not satisfied by U.S. angry mom sentence |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01