LOC12:17
09:17 GMT
KUWAIT, April 28 (KUNA) -- The Syrian Information Center reported on
Saturday "major defections" from units of the Syrian Army headquarters
stationed close to the Republican Palace in the northern city of Latakia.
Sima Malaki, spokesperson of the center, which represents the Syrian
opposition, said in a statement that 30 personnel broke off the Defense
Battalion, stationed near the palace.
In Barzeh, on outskirts of Damascus, snipers opened fire at complex housing
offices for government utility services and Tichrin Hospital. In Al-Maadamiah,
also in suburbs of the capital, three huge blasts echoed across the region,
and other explosions rumbled in Daraya, also located close to the capital,
according to the opposition Coordination Committees.
It reported intensive gunfire in Al-Karameh district in the city of Hama,
where residents staged night-time demonstrations calling for ouster of the
regime of Bashar Al-Assad.
In northern city of Aleppo, government troops attacked demonstrators with
gunfire and tear gas. In Al-Boukamal, Deir Al-Zor, an identical incident was
reported.
Syria has been witnessing demonstrations and violence since more than a
year ago, when citizens started staging protests calling for ouster of the
regime, as well as political and administrative reforms.
The crisis has snowballed with wide-scale violence, taking lives of some 10,
000 people, including many children and women. The Arab League and the UN have
intervened, stationing observers to oversee cessation of violence as a prelude
to an aspired political settlement. (end)
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