Heavy clashes between troops and rebels raged into a second day in Syria’s second city Aleppo on Saturday, activists said, while a tense calm reigned in Damascus after days of fierce fighting.
The fighting in Aleppo came a day after the UN Security Council voted unanimously to grant a “final” 30-day extension to a troubled observer mission charged with overseeing a tattered peace plan for Syria.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that in Aleppo “battles have been ongoing since Friday morning between regular forces and fighters from rebel units in the Salaheddin neighbourhood.”
The clashes appeared to be spreading by early afternoon, the group said.
“Violent clashes are taking place between Syrian regime forces and rebel fighters in the Sakhur neighbourhood and the Haydariya area,” it said, adding troops were “using heavy machine guns and shelling.”
The Local Coordination Committees — a grassroots activist network — reported “an exodus of residents of the (Salaheddin) neighbourhood because of fear of regime bombardment and an offensive.” The fighting is the worst yet in the northern commercial hub, which had been largely spared from the protests and violence that have accompanied the country’s 16-month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.
On Friday, activists said troops had opened fire on demonstrators in the city, killing at least one person.
In Damascus, a day after regime forces launched a major counter-offensive to retake rebel-held areas, residents reported the city was largely calm.
But the Britain-based Observatory said the army had bombarded the Al-Kaddam and Assali neighbourhoods on the southern outskirts overnight, and residents reported fighting in the Al-Hajar Al-Aswad and Tadamon districts.
A resident of the Yarmuk Palestinian refugee camp, on the outskirts of the capital, said he had not left since Wednesday.
“It’s dangerous to leave the camp because there are snipers posted at the entrance and they shoot at any gathering.”
The Observatory also reported government forces were shelling several districts of the rebel city of Homs, including Khaldiyeh, and said fighting was ongoing in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor.
Syrian government is not protecting civilians: Ban
UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Saturday that Syrian authorities have “manifestly failed” to protect civilians and called on the international community to act to stop the violence. “The Syrian government has manifestly failed to protect civilians and the international community has a collective responsibility to live up to the UN charter and act on its principles,” Ban said during a visit to Croatia’s Brijuni Island as part of a week-long Balkans tour. Ban added that he was “deeply distressed by the rising death toll and the number of people forced to flee their homes” as heavy clashes between troops and rebels raged in Syria’s second city Aleppo Saturday, according to activists.
Think:why none of the reporters ever ask supporters, or people who are on neither side?all reports and information ate taken from opposition,that makes all there news agencies take one side of the story,not fair!
Thats true
The reason is obvious. Syria is passing through a phase wherein only TWO sides are possible. Practically, there is no THIRD side (according to you, "people who are on neither side") . Analysis reflects that these people, in fact, are also on the Assad's side and will have to leave Assad's regime or perish in the crossfire. For how long they can remain impartially invisible in a pool of blood of 20,000 innocent lives !!!
The syrian regime has been causing mayhem in lebanon, supporting the islamists there while keeping the syrian islamists under control and were behind the killing of Hariri. While its somewhat liberal brand of islam is good It has too much blood on its hands and it is time for it to go. You cannot govern a people by suppressing them using force and intimidation.
The west are stupid why interfaring in syria start from Israel. You are just fighting Islam. You so called Illuminati.
I was suprise when I saw a photo of 2003 Iraq war Bush massacre and pointing it to Houla massacre. Syria next Iran. This Arab league are useless. I’m confident 70% of we Syrians support Assad. We are facing a war raging from outside. God sees everything.
You are very right. Foreign countries incited this rebellion stupidly thinking it would benefit Israel and Western interests. In fact, it will do the opposite. Hezbollah and al-Qaida will get hold of Assad chemical and conventional arsenal.
The era of dynasty or empire is past. Assad better know that he is not the only one entitled to rule Syria, others are heir apparent. Other Arab nations should get ready.
I think the media is being un fair by presenting one-sided pro-opposition information. Such behavior is clearly unethical
Syria, with the current regime, always plays a wonderful role for Philistine; against Israel & its partners' interest. & that is the major point which support him. The majority of the people of Muslim countries never recognize (the untruth & modified) news from so called Independent or Reuters like news agencies.
America & their allies are wanted to push the whole Syrian Peoples in the fire of long War with the help of their Arab (monarchy) partners. Syrian people must be understand what happen next, when NATO like forces put their foot on ground. Afghanistan, Pakistan & Iraq still paying a big price of their landing.
U S to fund the rebels another bloodshed are they protecting civilians. Assad is not the target but Iran. The rebels are the cause of civilians death. The media not telling the real story.
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