Thousands of outraged Syrians throng streets over Hama carnage

Report By: Nina Rai

Date: 06 August, 2011

Syrians in thousands took to the streets to condemn the autocratic regime of President Bashar al-Assad and also to proclaim publicly their support for the beleaguered Hama denizens who were victims of govt. sponsored carnage.

It may be noted that around 200 residents allegedly have since last Sunday perished in the brutal crackdown by the Assad-led government agencies. In-fact just yesterday August 05, 2011 troops fired at groups of demonstrators after Friday prayers, killing nearly 13 people.

This action is despite the rising international outcry and denunciation of the vicious tactics employed by Assad's forces since the uprising began five months ago.

In various cities across Syria, demonstrators gathered in open defiance of Assad's troops continued shelling of residential areas. According to residents of Hama, just as people were starting their fast for the holy Ramadan, the tanks started bombarding of residential districts in the morning around 4.

Footage released for the first time by the govt-run Syrian TV from within Hama depicted the rampant destruction on the streets. There were signs of burned-out apartments and structures, cordoned-off roads, improvised road blocks and damaged vehicles, thereby indicating that the conflict here has been much more intense than the regime had earlier projected.

There is a curfew and complete black-out in communications with media personnel not being allowed to move freely within Syria. Hence it is not possible to independently validate claims by activists that around two hundred people have died due to army shelling and sniping in Hama since the past one week.

Meanwhile Sana, the official news agency has claimed troops were fighting “terrorist saboteurs.” Sana goes on to state that Syrian Arab army units are trying to” restore security, stability and normal life to Hama after armed terrorist groups perpetrated acts of sabotage and killing."