Syria blames rebels over Houla
Source: Agencies |
May 28, 2012, Monday
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The Syrian government yesterday denied that its troops were behind an attack on a string of villages that left more than 90 people dead, blaming the killings on "hundreds of heavily-armed gunmen" who also attacked soldiers in the area.
Friday's assault on Houla, an area northwest of the central city of Homs, was one of the bloodiest single events in Syria's 15-month-old uprising. The UN says 32 children under the age of 10 were among the dead. The international body and others have issued statements appearing to hold the Syrian government responsible, but all stopped well short of suggesting intervention.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi told a Damascus news conference that Syria was being subjected to a "tsunami of lies" on Houla.
"We categorically deny the responsibility of government forces for the massacre," Makdissi said.
The Houla attacks sparked outrage from American and other international leaders, and renewed concerns about the relevance of a month-old international peace plan that has not stopped almost daily violence.
UN observers, among more than 250 who were dispatched in recent weeks to try to salvage the cease-fire plan, found spent artillery and tank shells at the site on Saturday - a finding which could point toward the government's heavily-armed mechanized units.
"Those who use violence for their own agenda will create more instability, more unpredictability and may lead the country to civil war," the observers' chief, Major General Robert Mood, warned in a statement.
Makdissi said "hundreds of heavily armed gunmen carrying machine guns, mortars and anti-tank missiles" launched the attack simultaneously from several locations, starting at about 2pm and continuing for nine hours. He said five government army positions in the area came under attack at the same time, leaving three soldiers dead and 16 wounded.
"There were no Syrian tanks or artillery in the vicinity" of Houla, Makdissi said. He said that gunmen used anti-tank missiles and "Syrian troops retaliated in defense of their positions."
"Children, women and other innocent people were killed in their homes, and this is not what the Syrian army does," Makdissi said. "The method of killing was brutal."
Makdissi said a committee was set up to investigate the incident, and results should be out within three days. He added that international envoy Kofi Annan was flying to Syria today.
A senior Arab League official said Syria had denied permission for Annan's deputy to travel to Damascus.
Syria made clear that the decision against former Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser al-Kidwa was not personal, but because it did not want to deal with the Arab League.
Annan is the joint envoy of the UN and Arab League.
Syria, where nearly 10,000 have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar Assad's regime began, says the league has become a tool of the West.
Kuwait, which currently heads the Arab League, said it was calling for an Arab ministerial meeting that aims to "take steps to put an end to the oppressive practices against the Syrian people."
Friday's assault on Houla, an area northwest of the central city of Homs, was one of the bloodiest single events in Syria's 15-month-old uprising. The UN says 32 children under the age of 10 were among the dead. The international body and others have issued statements appearing to hold the Syrian government responsible, but all stopped well short of suggesting intervention.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi told a Damascus news conference that Syria was being subjected to a "tsunami of lies" on Houla.
"We categorically deny the responsibility of government forces for the massacre," Makdissi said.
The Houla attacks sparked outrage from American and other international leaders, and renewed concerns about the relevance of a month-old international peace plan that has not stopped almost daily violence.
UN observers, among more than 250 who were dispatched in recent weeks to try to salvage the cease-fire plan, found spent artillery and tank shells at the site on Saturday - a finding which could point toward the government's heavily-armed mechanized units.
"Those who use violence for their own agenda will create more instability, more unpredictability and may lead the country to civil war," the observers' chief, Major General Robert Mood, warned in a statement.
Makdissi said "hundreds of heavily armed gunmen carrying machine guns, mortars and anti-tank missiles" launched the attack simultaneously from several locations, starting at about 2pm and continuing for nine hours. He said five government army positions in the area came under attack at the same time, leaving three soldiers dead and 16 wounded.
"There were no Syrian tanks or artillery in the vicinity" of Houla, Makdissi said. He said that gunmen used anti-tank missiles and "Syrian troops retaliated in defense of their positions."
"Children, women and other innocent people were killed in their homes, and this is not what the Syrian army does," Makdissi said. "The method of killing was brutal."
Makdissi said a committee was set up to investigate the incident, and results should be out within three days. He added that international envoy Kofi Annan was flying to Syria today.
A senior Arab League official said Syria had denied permission for Annan's deputy to travel to Damascus.
Syria made clear that the decision against former Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser al-Kidwa was not personal, but because it did not want to deal with the Arab League.
Annan is the joint envoy of the UN and Arab League.
Syria, where nearly 10,000 have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar Assad's regime began, says the league has become a tool of the West.
Kuwait, which currently heads the Arab League, said it was calling for an Arab ministerial meeting that aims to "take steps to put an end to the oppressive practices against the Syrian people."
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