Syrian army ups troops along Turkish border
- 12 years ago
The Syrian army shores up its forces along the border with Turkey.
Video obtained by Reuters earlier this week shows several military vehicles near the northern city of Idlib.
While the week old truce is holding in parts of Syria, violence has erupted in some rebel strong holds.
Rebels blame the Syrian army for violating the truce.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNNAMED SYRIAN REBEL, SAYING:
"We, as the free army, have been committed to the truce. All violations and explosions were carried out by the (Syrian) security forces. They sent Shabiha to carry out attacks and accuse the free army, but the free army is innocent. The free army did not violate the truce, it was the regime forces that violated the truce more than 100 times,"
Footage out of the northern town of Sarakeb shows nighttime protests. Demonstrators vow to keep up the pressure.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNNAMED SYRIAN ACTIVIST, SAYING:
"God willing we will continue with our protests until we are victorious. We will not retreat. If this criminal regime thinks we will back off they are mistaken. Recent days prove that al Assad is not committed to the ceasefire. He does not care about the UN security council or the Arab League. There are talks everywhere and the army has been mobilized more than before while bombardments continue despite the ceasefire."
On Wednesday the White House criticized the Syrian government for continuing to shell opponents despite a ceasefire deal and warned of quote "next steps" by the international community unless the attacks cease.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.
Video obtained by Reuters earlier this week shows several military vehicles near the northern city of Idlib.
While the week old truce is holding in parts of Syria, violence has erupted in some rebel strong holds.
Rebels blame the Syrian army for violating the truce.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNNAMED SYRIAN REBEL, SAYING:
"We, as the free army, have been committed to the truce. All violations and explosions were carried out by the (Syrian) security forces. They sent Shabiha to carry out attacks and accuse the free army, but the free army is innocent. The free army did not violate the truce, it was the regime forces that violated the truce more than 100 times,"
Footage out of the northern town of Sarakeb shows nighttime protests. Demonstrators vow to keep up the pressure.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNNAMED SYRIAN ACTIVIST, SAYING:
"God willing we will continue with our protests until we are victorious. We will not retreat. If this criminal regime thinks we will back off they are mistaken. Recent days prove that al Assad is not committed to the ceasefire. He does not care about the UN security council or the Arab League. There are talks everywhere and the army has been mobilized more than before while bombardments continue despite the ceasefire."
On Wednesday the White House criticized the Syrian government for continuing to shell opponents despite a ceasefire deal and warned of quote "next steps" by the international community unless the attacks cease.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.