At least 30 people were killed in overnight fighting between supporters and opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad, activists said Monday. The clashes erupted in the central city of Homs after two or three supporters of Assad were kidnapped and killed by anonymous gunmen, according to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights. Some say the bodies were dismembered before being returned.On Sunday night, supporters of Bashar, who is facing unprecedented protests, held a massive rally in Damascus to mark the 11th anniversary of his rule.
Meanwhile, Qatar has indefinitely closed is embassy in Damascus after pro-government Syrians attacked the building housing it, a Syrian newspaper reported Monday. Last week, government supporters threw stones, eggs and tomatoes at the Qatari embassy in protest against the Doha-based news broadcaster Al Jazeera's coverage of the unrest in the country. No casualties were reported.
| For a different selection of details, see also this Jerusalem Post article |