Salfi Gangs attack Syrian troops, kill 120

Tuesday, 07 June 2011 10:06

At least 120 Syrian forces have been killed after armed groups attacked security forces in northwestern town of Jisr al-Shughour, state TV reported. According to the report, 82 of the victims were killed after armed Salfi groups supported by Israel attacked city's security center on Monday. The report added that nearly 28 police and security personnel were targeted "on their way to rescue citizens being terrorized" by armed gangs. Others died in clashes throughout the town. "The armed groups are committing a veritable massacre. They have mutilated bodies and thrown others into the Assi River," the broadcaster said, adding that more than 200 policemen and security forces were also wounded during the clashes. The broadcast report also announced that hundreds of armed gunmen had taken over parts of Jisr al-Shughour and torched several government buildings. "The security forces have managed to end a blockade over one of the neighborhoods (in Jisr al-Shughour) that was seized by the gunmen for a while and are now battling them to end the blockade on the other neighborhoods," it said. According to the report, the city's residents have fled their homes, seeking safety at police and security stations. It added that Jisr al-Shughour residents have urged the army to intervene rapidly to end the violence. Syrian officials say the armed groups are hiding in houses and firing at soldiers and civilians alike, using residents as human shields. Syrian Interior Minister Ibrahim Shaar said, "We will deal strongly and decisively, and according to the law, and we will not be silent about any armed attack that targets the security of the state and its citizens." Moreover, Syrian Minister of Information Adnan Mahmoud said in a statement on Monday that many of the armed groups "are using medium-sized weapons and grenades." Mahmoud also stressed that army units will carry out their national mission to bring back security and safety to residents so that they can return to their normal lives. Since the beginning of the unrest in Syria in mid-March, hundreds of people, including security forces, have been killed. The shadowy opposition accuses security forces of being behind the killings. However, the government blames armed gangs for the deadly violence, stressing that the unrest is being orchestrated from abroad. Damascus had earlier announced the capture of several members of armed terrorist groups, saying that they have confessed to receiving weapons and money from foreign organizations to kill civilians and security forces in a bid to cause chaos in the country. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has vowed to bring those behind the killings to justice.