King speaks out as Syrian tank attack is extended
Source: Xinhua |
August 9, 2011, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
PRESIDENT Bashar al-Assad extended a tank onslaught in Syria's Sunni Muslim tribal heartland yesterday, according to residents, in an escalating crackdown on protesters that prompted an extraordinary rebuke from Saudi Arabia's king, who warned the Syrian leader to adopt reforms or risk defeat.
King Abdullah broke Arab silence after the bloodiest week of the almost five-month uprising calling for greater political freedom in Syria.
The king demanded an end to the bloodshed and recalled the Saudi ambassador from Damascus.
It was the sharpest criticism the oil giant has directed against any fellow Arab state since a tide of pro-democracy unrest began to sweep across the Middle East in January, toppling leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, kindling civil war in Libya and rattling entrenched elites throughout the region.
King Abdullah said: "What is happening in Syria is not acceptable for Saudi Arabia. Syria should think wisely before it is too late and enact reforms that are not merely promises. Either it chooses wisdom on its own or it will be pulled down into the depths of turmoil and loss."
His statement followed similar messages over the weekend from the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Syrian tanks and troops poured into the eastern Sunni city of Deir al-Zor in the latest stage of a campaign to crush the protest against 41 years of rule by the Assad family and domination by his Alawite minority community.
Syrian authorities denied that any Deir al-Zor assault had taken place. The official state news agency said "not a single tank has entered Deir al-Zor" and reports of tanks in the city were "the work of provocateur satellite channels."
Syria has barred most journalists, making it hard to confirm events reported by either side.
The Syrian Revolution Coordinating Union said 50 people had been killed in Deir al-Zor on Sunday and at least 13 had been killed in a separate tank-led assault on villages in the central Houla Plain, near the city of Homs.
"The numbers of casualties are escalating by the hour," said activist Suhair al-Atassi, a union member.
King Abdullah broke Arab silence after the bloodiest week of the almost five-month uprising calling for greater political freedom in Syria.
The king demanded an end to the bloodshed and recalled the Saudi ambassador from Damascus.
It was the sharpest criticism the oil giant has directed against any fellow Arab state since a tide of pro-democracy unrest began to sweep across the Middle East in January, toppling leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, kindling civil war in Libya and rattling entrenched elites throughout the region.
King Abdullah said: "What is happening in Syria is not acceptable for Saudi Arabia. Syria should think wisely before it is too late and enact reforms that are not merely promises. Either it chooses wisdom on its own or it will be pulled down into the depths of turmoil and loss."
His statement followed similar messages over the weekend from the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Syrian tanks and troops poured into the eastern Sunni city of Deir al-Zor in the latest stage of a campaign to crush the protest against 41 years of rule by the Assad family and domination by his Alawite minority community.
Syrian authorities denied that any Deir al-Zor assault had taken place. The official state news agency said "not a single tank has entered Deir al-Zor" and reports of tanks in the city were "the work of provocateur satellite channels."
Syria has barred most journalists, making it hard to confirm events reported by either side.
The Syrian Revolution Coordinating Union said 50 people had been killed in Deir al-Zor on Sunday and at least 13 had been killed in a separate tank-led assault on villages in the central Houla Plain, near the city of Homs.
"The numbers of casualties are escalating by the hour," said activist Suhair al-Atassi, a union member.
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