Syrian Forces storm Dara, deploy tanks against the demonstrators

April 25, 2011, 5 pm EDT by Donna Abu-Nasr

Updates with militant comments from first paragraph.) See EXTRA for more the Middle East unrest).

April 25 (Bloomberg) - security forces Syrians stormed the city of Dara, in the South, the site of the events more sustained against President Bashar al-Assad, killing at least five people, witnesses said today.Tanks Dara came on the eve of four fronts, Abdullah, one of the witnesses, said in an interview by satellite phone, punctuated by the sound shots. Abdallah, who would provide only his surname because of concerns for his safety, said that he saw 20 bodies scattered through the streets of the city. Three he helped pull a street belonged to the family al-Shafran, according to their identity cards he said.Mohsen, another witness, said in an interview with Dara tanks opened fire against people who met in groups and at least five killed.The Syria has intensified violent repression against demonstrators, in the past week, leaving more than 100 dead. Decision Assad to end a State of emergency in place for half a century and promises of future political and economic measures, has failed to halt the spread of protests against his regime echoing those that toppled Egypt and Tunisiathe leaders of this year.The Syria is an ally of the Iran and a power broker in neighbouring countries to the Lebanon, where it supports Hezbollah, a group armed with Shia Muslims. Assad and other officials say conspirators-backed foreign are seeking to exploit the expression of legitimate popular demands as a pretext for violence. "State in Danger'The assault of Dara was a bid by the Government to eradicate"armed insurrection"by groups using advanced weapons against the security forces, said Imad Fawzi Shueibi, who heads the Center for strategic studies and the data, in a telephone interview from Damascus today. "The question at the moment is to suppress the insurrection,"after the use of violence by demonstrators"models replaced for civilian applications,"he says. "The State is in a dangerous situation."Mahmoud Merhi, who heads the Arab Organization for human rights, said in an interview today that nine people were killed in the coast of Jableh City yesterday after security forces opened fire to prevent movement in the streets. That brings the number of people killed during the four days of 135, while nearly 300 people were arrested, said.United States finds SanctionsViolence in Syria led to the United States to consider measures, including sanctions against the officials of the Assad regime that led to repression, an administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. President Barack Obama April 23, condemned "the scandalous use of violence" by the Syrian security forces.Abdullah, the witness of Dara, said telephone lines and power in the region have been cut and Government forces opened fire as a tactical scare to prevent residents of the demonstration. As he spoke, the sound of gunfire followed by a landing nearby shell could be heard. Abdullah said that he had to hang up because he wanted to take refuge.The cities of Nawa and Duma have been also surrounded by security forces, with lines telephone cut residents and only permitted access, said Merhi.Faisal al-Haymad, Vice-President of the Chamber of commerce of Dara, said al-Jazeera yesterday that he is resigned to protest against the repression of the regime and said that nowHe joined the opposition.Sheikh Ahmad al-Sayasneh, the imam of the mosque in Dara Omari and a member of a delegation which held talks with Assad, after the first wave of violence last month said yesterday that it has joined the protesters. The imam said in an interview with al-Jazeera, he hides as security forces were looking for him because he had denounced the as "killers." "We have reached a point of no return with them after they killed our sons, and there is no place for discussions," said.

-Editors: Andrew j. Barden, Patrick Harrington, Ben Holland.

To contact the reporter on this story:

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Andrew j. Barden at barden@bloomberg.net

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Syrian forces kill 5 protesters: reports

The coffin of a demonstrator is carried in a funeral procession, in the suburbs of the State Duma, of Damascus, in this still image taken of sequences social networking sites downloaded Sunday amateur video. Social media/Reuters

Syrian security forces opened fire on demonstrators of the opposition, on Monday, killing five people, according to witnesses.

In Dara, in the South of the country, a witness who spoke to the Associated Press if anonymity said army tanks and soldiers moved into the city and could be heard. An eyewitness said he saw five bodies in a car that security forces had attacked.

DARA has been at the centre of protests against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

A Jordanian official who spoke the condition of anonymity said that Syria had closed it border post with the near Dara Jordan, perhaps to avoid the protesters to leave the country. A Syrian customs official, however, insisted that the border was open.

During this time, in the suburbs of Damascus in the Duma, witnesses said security forces closed the area before opening fire.

The speaks of witnesses to condition their names not be used because of fear of reprisal

Rights groups say that more than 300 people died, including the 112 April 22 only, since the start of anti-Government protests in mid-March.

On Sunday, based in New York from Human Rights Watch has called for an investigation of the United Nations for the Suppression of the Syrian Government against demonstrators.

The group called on the United States and the European Union imposed sanctions Syrian new officials.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Canada advised Canadians against travel in Syria and said to Canadians living in the country to leave by commercial facilities while they are still available. The Ministry said those requiring emergency assistance should contact the Embassy of the Canada in Damascus.

The Associated Back press folders of accessibility links

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Syrian Forces storm Dara, deploy tanks against the demonstrators

April 25, 2011, 5 pm EDT by Donna Abu-Nasr

Updates with militant comments from first paragraph.) See EXTRA for more the Middle East unrest).

April 25 (Bloomberg) - security forces Syrians stormed the city of Dara, in the South, the site of the events more sustained against President Bashar al-Assad, killing at least five people, witnesses said today.Tanks Dara came on the eve of four fronts, Abdullah, one of the witnesses, said in an interview by satellite phone, punctuated by the sound shots. Abdallah, who would provide only his surname because of concerns for his safety, said that he saw 20 bodies scattered through the streets of the city. Three he helped pull a street belonged to the family al-Shafran, according to their identity cards he said.Mohsen, another witness, said in an interview with Dara tanks opened fire against people who met in groups and at least five killed.The Syria has intensified violent repression against demonstrators, in the past week, leaving more than 100 dead. Decision Assad to end a State of emergency in place for half a century and promises of future political and economic measures, has failed to halt the spread of protests against his regime echoing those that toppled Egypt and Tunisiathe leaders of this year.The Syria is an ally of the Iran and a power broker in neighbouring countries to the Lebanon, where it supports Hezbollah, a group armed with Shia Muslims. Assad and other officials say conspirators-backed foreign are seeking to exploit the expression of legitimate popular demands as a pretext for violence. "State in Danger'The assault of Dara was a bid by the Government to eradicate"armed insurrection"by groups using advanced weapons against the security forces, said Imad Fawzi Shueibi, who heads the Center for strategic studies and the data, in a telephone interview from Damascus today. "The question at the moment is to suppress the insurrection,"after the use of violence by demonstrators"models replaced for civilian applications,"he says. "The State is in a dangerous situation."Mahmoud Merhi, who heads the Arab Organization for human rights, said in an interview today that nine people were killed in the coast of Jableh City yesterday after security forces opened fire to prevent movement in the streets. That brings the number of people killed during the four days of 135, while nearly 300 people were arrested, said.United States finds SanctionsViolence in Syria led to the United States to consider measures, including sanctions against the officials of the Assad regime that led to repression, an administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. President Barack Obama April 23, condemned "the scandalous use of violence" by the Syrian security forces.Abdullah, the witness of Dara, said telephone lines and power in the region have been cut and Government forces opened fire as a tactical scare to prevent residents of the demonstration. As he spoke, the sound of gunfire followed by a landing nearby shell could be heard. Abdullah said that he had to hang up because he wanted to take refuge.The cities of Nawa and Duma have been also surrounded by security forces, with lines telephone cut residents and only permitted access, said Merhi.Faisal al-Haymad, Vice-President of the Chamber of commerce of Dara, said al-Jazeera yesterday that he is resigned to protest against the repression of the regime and said that nowHe joined the opposition.Sheikh Ahmad al-Sayasneh, the imam of the mosque in Dara Omari and a member of a delegation which held talks with Assad, after the first wave of violence last month said yesterday that it has joined the protesters. The imam said in an interview with al-Jazeera, he hides as security forces were looking for him because he had denounced the as "killers." "We have reached a point of no return with them after they killed our sons, and there is no place for discussions," said.

-Editors: Andrew j. Barden, Patrick Harrington, Ben Holland.

To contact the reporter on this story:

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Andrew j. Barden at barden@bloomberg.net

View the original article here

The Thai forces and Cambodian shock to 3rd day

Fighting erupted again Sunday along the border of Cambodia and the Thailand after two days of clashes that killed at least 10 soldiers and forced the evacuation of thousands of civilians.

A Cambodian soldier stands guard in July last to a gateway to the temple of Preah Vihear on the Thai border Cambodia. (Heng Sinith/Associated Press)

The dispute between the neighbours stems from their competing claims over small strips of land along the border, with nationalist political fuelling tensions. Clashes have erupted several times since 2008, when temple of Preah Vihear 11th century Cambodia was granted the status of A World Heritage Thai objections.

The current round of clashes, which began Friday, are the first border skirmishes reported since February, when eight soldiers and civilians have been killed near the temple of Preah Vihear. The latest fighting took place about 160 kilometres west of here.

Colonel Suos Sothea, a commander Cambodian, confirmed evidence that a battle of artillery began at the border shortly before 10: 00 a.m. local time on Sunday. In Bangkok, the Thai army spokesman colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd reports the same information.

There was no immediate reports of victims.

Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon, has called for Cambodia and the Thailand to implement an effective and verifiable ceasefire.

A declaration of an end Saturday said ban believes that the dispute cannot be resolved by military means, so the two countries must engage in a serious dialogue to resolve the underlying problems.

Outbreak of Sunday came after it appeared that calm could have been restored. Witnesses on the Cambodian side said an important border post which had been closed for two days was reopened and Thai media said some some 20 000 civilians who had been evacuated from the combat zone began to move to the House.

Each side accused of the departure of the latest fighting, which involved mainly artillery duels long distance to the other.

Thai villagers seek shelter Saturday in a makeshift refugee camp set up in a school about 30 kilometres from the Thai-Cambodia border. Thousands of villagers were evacuated from the region in cross-border hostilities. (Sukree Sukplang/Reuters)

The Thailand dismissed charges Saturday that he had used chemical weapons against the Cambodian troops.

A statement by the Cambodian Defence Ministry charged that the Thailand had shot 75 and 105-mm shells at "loading of the toxic gas" in Cambodian territory, but has no details. A Cambodian field commander said separately that the Thailand had used two shells of cluster - anti-personnel weapons banned by many countries - and the artillery shells that gave a debilitating gas.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said Thais allegations were not true, and colonel Tawatchai Samutsakorn, Commander of 2nd army region the Thailand, denied that submunitions or toxic gas bombs had been employed by its forces.

Tawatchai said a Thai soldier died Saturday, bringing the victim toll to four dead and 17 injured. Suos Sothea said three Cambodian soldiers were killed Saturday, with victims of Cambodia's two days to six. Suos Sothea said he could not give a precise count of the injured.

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Forces hope to use Ivory Coast leader

Pro-Ouattara soldiers riding forces say an armed vehicle at the Golf Hotel in Abidjan on Tuesday.Alassane Ouattara expect them, collect Laurent Gbagbo from TuesdayU.N. Peacekeepers are trying to prevent attacks on CiviliansOuattara is internationally recognised winner of presidential elections in C?te d'Ivoire

(CNN) - fighters surrounded the presidential palace of Laurent Gbagbo on Tuesday, hoping to capture the embattled leader.

The fighters, loyal to President Alassane Ouattara, were 80% sure that Gbagbo was still in the residence, said Patrick Achi, a spokesman for Ouattara.

"We do not see why he will not abandon," Achi said Monday, add the new Gbagbo Government by the International Court of Justice have tried search can.

CNN could not independently Achi's claims, which confirm a report included that Gbagbo's TV station was destroyed.

But at least one resident in Abidjan said Gbagbo's Government TV channel since Monday dark had been; early Tuesday, nothing out of the station was transferred.

The man who did not want to use his name, said so many feel insecure and fear shots all over the city like a soundtrack Monday, played.

Uncertainty and fear constant in parts of the Ivory Coast was in recent weeks as screwed a presidential standoff in a civil war has.

'Clock is ticking for refugees from Ivory Coast'

The unrest dates back to November when Gbagbo transferred refused power on Ouattara, the International President of the country after elections recognized as.

Supporters of each side are in many cities of the west African country clashed, and have in the past few days the international troops jumped into the fray.

The cause of United Nations to prevent the use of heavy weapons against civilians and United Nations peace-keeping force helicopter to a camp on Monday controlled by Gbagbo, said a spokesman for un.

UN peacekeeping Director Alain Le Roy told reporters of the body takes sides in the conflict, but be after three days of from Gbagbo left four UN peacekeepers seriously injured had.

France also 350 peacekeepers to the country over the weekend and took control of the airport in Abidjan, the French Ministry of Defense said Sunday. The existing UN peacekeeping mission around 7,500 troops joined the new French troops already in the country.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said Friday that had 800 people to death in the Western cocoa-producing town of Duekoue was shot dead. A UN officials the 330 Friday's death toll.

View the original article here

Forces hope to use Ivory Coast leader

Pro-Ouattara soldiers riding forces say an armed vehicle at the Golf Hotel in Abidjan on Tuesday.Alassane Ouattara expect them, collect Laurent Gbagbo from TuesdayU.N. Peacekeepers are trying to prevent attacks on CiviliansOuattara is internationally recognised winner of presidential elections in C?te d'Ivoire

(CNN) - fighters surrounded the presidential palace of Laurent Gbagbo on Tuesday, hoping to capture the embattled leader.

The fighters, loyal to President Alassane Ouattara, were 80% sure that Gbagbo was still in the residence, said Patrick Achi, a spokesman for Ouattara.

"We do not see why he will not abandon," Achi said Monday, add the new Gbagbo Government by the International Court of Justice have tried search can.

CNN could not independently Achi's claims, which confirm a report included that Gbagbo's TV station was destroyed.

But at least one resident in Abidjan said Gbagbo's Government TV channel since Monday dark had been; early Tuesday, nothing out of the station was transferred.

The man who did not want to use his name, said so many feel insecure and fear shots all over the city like a soundtrack Monday, played.

Uncertainty and fear constant in parts of the Ivory Coast was in recent weeks as screwed a presidential standoff in a civil war has.

'Clock is ticking for refugees from Ivory Coast'

The unrest dates back to November when Gbagbo transferred refused power on Ouattara, the International President of the country after elections recognized as.

Supporters of each side are in many cities of the west African country clashed, and have in the past few days the international troops jumped into the fray.

The cause of United Nations to prevent the use of heavy weapons against civilians and United Nations peace-keeping force helicopter to a camp on Monday controlled by Gbagbo, said a spokesman for un.

UN peacekeeping Director Alain Le Roy told reporters of the body takes sides in the conflict, but be after three days of from Gbagbo left four UN peacekeepers seriously injured had.

France also 350 peacekeepers to the country over the weekend and took control of the airport in Abidjan, the French Ministry of Defense said Sunday. The existing UN peacekeeping mission around 7,500 troops joined the new French troops already in the country.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said Friday that had 800 people to death in the Western cocoa-producing town of Duekoue was shot dead. A UN officials the 330 Friday's death toll.

View the original article here