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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Syrian forces accused of machine-gunning hundreds of deserting soldiers |
| 2011-12-20 |
| Syrian forces have been accused of perpetrating one of the deadliest massacres of the country's nine-month uprising after scores of soldiers were mown down by machine-gun fire as they attempted a mass desertion. The dramatic breakout from an army base in northern Syria could have been a pivotal moment in the growing rebellion against Bashar al-Assad, the country's president. Instead it ended in disaster and bloodshed. Throwing down an unprecedented challenge to his regime, hundreds of soldiers at an encampment in Idlib province made a desperate scramble for freedom on Monday. Their intention, according to opposition forces, was to make a dash for the Turkish border to join the Syrian Free Army, a rebel force made up of fellow defectors. But the plan was either ill-judged or loyalist forces too well prepared. As they ran, volley after volley of machinegun fire was aimed at their retreating backs. At least 60 were killed. Those who managed to escape were mercilessly hunted down yesterday. |
| Posted by:tipper |