Syrian forces kill 25; Assad accused of targeting Doctors

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Syrian security forces killed at least 25 people Monday when they attacked the opposition stronghold of Homs, while activists accused the government of intensifying its persecution of doctors who treat wounded protesters.

Residents and activists say tanks firing heavy machine guns swept into Sunni Muslim districts of Homs, where large protests demanding the removal of President Bashar al-Assad have taken place regularly.

Monday’s clashes followed the deployment of loyalist militiamen into Sunni districts, fanning tension between the city’s Sunni majority and members of Mr. Assad’s minority Alawite sect.

Army deserters helping local inhabitants defend their neighborhoods are said to have killed five government troops in the clashes. Battles between soldiers and defectors have been increasing in the province, as authorities press a harsh crackdown on political opposition to Mr. Assad.

In Switzerland Monday, United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon urged the Syrian president to end the killing of civilians and accept an international inquiry into allegations of human rights abuses. The U.N. says more than 3,000 people have been killed in Syria since anti-government protests began seven months ago.

The Local Coordination Committees, a major Syrian activist network that helps organize the protests, said it has documented the arrests of 25 doctors from private clinics and hospitals in the past few weeks.

The group said 250 doctors and pharmacists have been detained since the uprising began.

Last month, New York-based Human Rights Watch said Syrian security forces “forcibly removed” patients from a hospital and prevented doctors from reaching the wounded during a military siege in Homs. The group cited testimony from witnesses, including doctors.

The Arab League said Sunday it would bring together Syria’s government and opposition groups in an attempt to end the violence. The league’s secretary-general, Nabil Elaraby, said the group plans to start the dialogue within 15 days.

Some league members sought to suspend Syria’s membership in the pan-Arab organization, but deep divisions among the group’s 22 members prevented passage of the proposal.

The Arab League suspended Libya earlier this year after then-leader Moammar Gadhafi began a bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters. The league later reinstated Libya under the country’s new leadership.

In Syria Sunday, activists said security forces in the east opened fire on mourners as about 7,000 people attending the funeral of a slain activist with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. They also said government forces continued arrests near the capital, Damascus.

Syrian authorities have blamed much of the country’s violence on gunmen or what they call terrorist groups.

VOA

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11 responses to “Syrian forces kill 25; Assad accused of targeting Doctors”

  1. 5thDrawer Avatar

    Doctors and nurses are doing those ‘jobs’ because they are people who care.
    What the hell is this thing in ‘Middle-East Minds’ about killing, arresting, charging with treason, etc. doctors and nurses who are trying in very difficult circumstances (poor working conditions) to alleviate the suffering of fellow human beings????
    This is not the only place it’s happening.They may not be signatories to ‘Geneva Conventions’, but THIS IS (supposed to be) the 21st century. !!! NO?

    1. good morning 5th, arabs can only dream of being as loving to their citizens as jews are…israel is willing to give 1027 in exchange for 1 lost soldier is a great indicator. lets be honest about it by waiting even  1 day the arab league sends many to their death sentence  and there is no incentive or deterrent for assad to stop the killing going on for 8 months. arabs are hard headed and this guy will never stop just as gaddafiduck and saddam did not , their ego and pride is more valuable that the life and wellbeing of their citizens.

      1. 5thDrawer Avatar

        ‘Howdy’ Geo. 🙂 Did you ever have the feeling it was useless and better to just go away? World is getting weird .. er.
        News Report:
        “At one point Hamas supporters here in Rafah chanted: “We want a new Gilad Shalit.”
        That would be ominous for Israeli-Hamas relations which, despite this prisoner deal, remain nothing less than hostile.”

        1. the inferior and defective state of mind  prevails in the circumfrence of the palestinian head. palestinians have allways measured success the wrong way, to me quality of life is the most important goal for those i care about  and love.
          the quality of life for pals is horrible and will remain so  if they continue to resort to  the same plan that never produced an improvement to their cause.
           they are trapped in their reasoning with no way out, these micro victories are are not measurable as they consistently lose the war. why they pust so much value on the same failed plan over and over is beyond me.

    2. Patience2 Avatar

      Where is that ‘nutless’ arab league??  Worrying about uprisings in their own countries, of course!

  2.  Avatar

    Doctors and nurses are doing those ‘jobs’ because they are people who care.
    What the hell is this thing in ‘Middle-East Minds’ about killing, arresting, charging with treason, etc. doctors and nurses who are trying in very difficult circumstances (poor working conditions) to alleviate the suffering of fellow human beings????This is not the only place it’s happening.They may not be signatories to ‘Geneva Conventions’, but THIS IS (supposed to be) the 21st century. !!! NO?

    1. good morning 5th, arabs can only dream of being as loving to their citizens as jews are…israel is willing to give 1027 in exchange for 1 lost soldier is a great indicator. lets be honest about it by waiting even  1 day the arab league sends many to their death sentence  and there is no incentive or deterrent for assad to stop the killing going on for 8 months. arabs are hard headed and this guy will never stop just as gaddafiduck and saddam did not , their ego and pride is more valuable that the life and wellbeing of their citizens.

      1.  Avatar

        ‘Howdy’ Geo. 🙂 Did you ever have the feeling it was useless and better to just go away? World is getting weird .. er.

        1. the inferior and defective state of mind  prevails in the circumfrence of the palestinian head. palestinians have allways measured success the wrong way, to me quality of life is the most important goal for those i care about  and love.
          the quality of life for pals is horrible and will remain so  if they continue to resort to  the same plan that never produced an improvement to their cause.
           they are trapped in their reasoning with no way out, these micro victories are are not measurable as they consistently lose the war. why they pust so much value on the same failed plan over and over is beyond me.

    2.  Avatar

      Where is that ‘nutless’ arab league??  Worrying about uprisings in their own countries, of course!

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