Syrian Army Stages Operations After UN Observers' Visit To Duma

A member of the Syrian General Revolution Commission said on Thursday that the Syrian army staged operations with heavy weapons after the United Nations (UN) observers visited Duma neighborhood in the capital, Damascus.

Abu Ubeyde said the operations caused major harm in the neighborhood, and vehicles and houses were set on fire.

"People had to leave the neighborhood for security reasons," Ubeyde told AA correspondent.

Ubeyde said UN envoys observed Duma under the shadow of tanks, and observers witnessed many incidents in the neighborhood.

"The regime was uneasy about this," Ubeyde said.

Ubeyde said the observers saw that heavy weapons had not been withdrawn, and security forces intervened to prevent local people from approaching observers.

"Many protestors were injured in this intervention," Ubeyde said.

Ubeyde said Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad had not fulfilled any article of UN-Arab League Special Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan's cease-fire plan, and continued to kill his people before the eyes of the entire world.

UN observers visited many cities, and saw that the regime had not withdrawn heavy weapons from cities and continued its operations, Ubeyde said.

Ubeyde said at least ten people died in intervention of security forces to protestors in Duma, and many people were wounded.

"The regime has launched an operation to arrest opponents at hospital, and people cannot go to hospitals as they are scared," Ubeyde said.

Ubeyde said security forces terrorized the neighborhood with heavy weapons and tanks, and opened fire on every one without any mercy.

"All these happened after UN observers left the neighborhood. Lives of people who met observers are in danger and they are wanted by the regime," Ubeyde said.

Ubeyde said Duma was one of the most important opponent neighborhoods in the capital, Damascus, adding that in their protests, they were calling on every one to contribute to Syria's unity.

AA