RELATED:Analysis: In Syria, army will be keyIran helping Syria to crush anti-government protests“As we remember the terror and tragedy that accompanied Iran’s crackdown [in 2009], and as we work with the international community to increase the pressure on Assad and his regime, let us renew our resolve to stand with citizens – including the citizens of Syria and Iran – who yearn to be free and to exercise their universal rights.”Clinton referred to both Iran’s crackdown on protesters who felt President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s reelection two years ago this week was rigged, and the torture and killing of a 13-year-old boy, Hamza Ali al-Khateeb, apparently by the Syrian military.Clinton did not go further than to speak of the US effort to “increase the pressure” on Syria, even as many critics have called for stronger American action and the Syrian government continues to use force against demonstrators.On Tuesday, Syrian troops used tanks and helicopters to push toward a northern town after arresting hundreds of people in villages near Jisr al-Shughour, residents said, and as more refugees fled to Turkey.More than 8,500 Syrians have sought shelter across the border to escape President Bashar Assad’s latest military drive to crush protests demanding political change in a country ruled by the Assad dynasty for the past 41 years.Most of the refugees came from Jisr al- Shughour, 20 km. from the border, where authorities say 120 security personnel were killed by gunmen 10 days ago. Some activists say deserting troops and residents clashed with security forces.The army retook the rebellious town on Sunday and appeared on Tuesday to be moving toward the town of Maarat al-Numaan, which straddles the main north-south highway linking Damascus with the second city of Aleppo, and has also been the scene of protests.Othman al-Bedeiwi, a pharmacy professor in Maarat al-Numaan, told Reuters by telephone that helicopters had been ferrying troops to a camp in Wadi al-Deif, several kilometers from the town.“We met the [provincial] governor today and he assured us that the army will go in only to arrest 360 people it has on a list,” Bedeiwi said. “The people of Maarat, however, are skeptical. My name is on the list to be arrested as being a gunman. I never carried a weapon in my life.”Turkey has set up four refugee camps just inside its borders and the state-run Anatolian News Agency said on Tuesday authorities might provide more. It said the number of refugees had reached 8,538, more than half of them children.
Clinton slams Damascus, Tehran for bloody crackdown
Assad’s forces head for second northern protest town; Turkey says 8,538 refugees have crossed the border, more than half of them children.
RELATED:Analysis: In Syria, army will be keyIran helping Syria to crush anti-government protests“As we remember the terror and tragedy that accompanied Iran’s crackdown [in 2009], and as we work with the international community to increase the pressure on Assad and his regime, let us renew our resolve to stand with citizens – including the citizens of Syria and Iran – who yearn to be free and to exercise their universal rights.”Clinton referred to both Iran’s crackdown on protesters who felt President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s reelection two years ago this week was rigged, and the torture and killing of a 13-year-old boy, Hamza Ali al-Khateeb, apparently by the Syrian military.Clinton did not go further than to speak of the US effort to “increase the pressure” on Syria, even as many critics have called for stronger American action and the Syrian government continues to use force against demonstrators.On Tuesday, Syrian troops used tanks and helicopters to push toward a northern town after arresting hundreds of people in villages near Jisr al-Shughour, residents said, and as more refugees fled to Turkey.More than 8,500 Syrians have sought shelter across the border to escape President Bashar Assad’s latest military drive to crush protests demanding political change in a country ruled by the Assad dynasty for the past 41 years.Most of the refugees came from Jisr al- Shughour, 20 km. from the border, where authorities say 120 security personnel were killed by gunmen 10 days ago. Some activists say deserting troops and residents clashed with security forces.The army retook the rebellious town on Sunday and appeared on Tuesday to be moving toward the town of Maarat al-Numaan, which straddles the main north-south highway linking Damascus with the second city of Aleppo, and has also been the scene of protests.Othman al-Bedeiwi, a pharmacy professor in Maarat al-Numaan, told Reuters by telephone that helicopters had been ferrying troops to a camp in Wadi al-Deif, several kilometers from the town.“We met the [provincial] governor today and he assured us that the army will go in only to arrest 360 people it has on a list,” Bedeiwi said. “The people of Maarat, however, are skeptical. My name is on the list to be arrested as being a gunman. I never carried a weapon in my life.”Turkey has set up four refugee camps just inside its borders and the state-run Anatolian News Agency said on Tuesday authorities might provide more. It said the number of refugees had reached 8,538, more than half of them children.