Chilling Footage: Syrian Forces Arrest Hundreds of Activists in House-to-House Raids
- Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:49pm by
Emily Esfahani Smith
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BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian security forces arrested hundreds of activists and anti-government protesters in house-to-house raids across the country Monday, part of an escalating government crackdown aimed at stamping out a revolt engulfing the country.
The government’s punishing response triggered new international sanctions Monday, as the European Union imposed an arms embargo. The measure, which followed U.S. sanctions, also prohibits 13 Syrian government officials from traveling anywhere in the 27-nation EU and freezes their assets.
(For the raw footage of Syrian protesters being struck down by government forces, start watching two minutes into this clip.)
President Bashar Assad has dispatched army troops and tanks to crush the seven-week uprising that has posed the most serious challenge to his family’s 40-year rule. Assad’s regime appears determined to crush the uprising by force and intimidation, despite the rapidly growing international outrage and a death toll that has topped 630 civilians since the unrest began, according to rights groups.
Monday’s arrests, which zeroed in on the protests’ organizers and participants, were focused in four areas – the central city of Homs, the coastal city of Banias, some suburbs of the capital Damascus and villages around the southern flashpoint city of Daraa, said Rami Abdul-Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
He and other activists said the crackle of gunfire could be heard in the Damascus suburb of Maadamiyeh.
Activists said security forces redeployed in the town Monday after a brief withdrawal the day before, closing all roads leading in.
The area, scene of large demonstrations in past weeks, was without electricity, communication or water, the activists said on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. Residents also reported house-to-house raids and arrests and said several tanks were stationed in the town.
By early afternoon, scores of women were demonstrating in Banias, demanding the release of hundreds of detained men who were being held at the city’s soccer stadium, Abdul-Rahman said. He added that security officers promised the women that all men over the age of 40 would be freed.
In an indication that the regime shows no sign of folding, Assad was quoted as saying in comments published Monday that “the current crisis in Syria will be overcome and that the process of administrative, political and media reforms are continuing.” The report, in the private daily Al-Watan, which is close to the government, did not elaborate but said Assad made the comments while receiving a local delegation Sunday.
The European Union said Monday it was banning the shipment to Syria of “arms and equipment that could be used for internal repression.”
In an attempt to increase the pressure on Assad’s regime, the United States has also imposed sanctions. Those penalties target three senior Syrian officials as well as Syria’s intelligence agency and the Revolutionary Guard in Iran, a key Syrian ally.
Abdul-Rahman said that more than 250 people had been arrests in Banias, which home to one of Syria’s two oil refineries. Special forces backed by tanks entered the city Saturday.
Among those arrested was a leading organizer of the demonstrations, along with his father and three brothers. Security forces also detained Firas Khaddam, nephew of former Vice President Abdul-Halim Khaddam, who has been living in exile since he left Syria in 2005 and called for the overthrow of the regime, Abdul-Rahman said.
Meanwhile, the Al Baath newspaper of Syria’s ruling Baath party said “cautious calm” has been restored to Banias. It said the showdown in the city “will end within a few hours.” The Al-Watan newspaper said Banias has been under the full control of the Syrian army after “fierce” battles with “armed terrorist” groups. It said the groups used heavy weapons and mortar rounds.
Syrian officials and state-run media have tried to portray Banias as a hotbed of Islamic extremists to justify the crackdown there. The state news agency SANA said the army and security forces were pursuing fugitives in Banias and were able to arrest a large number of them and confiscate their weapons.
SANA released photos showing displays of weapons it said were seized, including shotguns, assault rifles, ammunition, clubs, knives and nunchakus.
There has been no independent confirmation that protesters have armed themselves or opened fire on security forces.
A resident who fled Banias two days ago told The Associated Press Monday that among those detained were mosque imams, the head of the municipality and members of leading families in the city such as Khaddam, al-Masri and Sahyouni. He spoke condition of anonymity for fear of government reprisals.
Monday’s raids come a day after army backed by tanks moved into different areas in the country including the central city of Homs, Syria’s largest, and three villages near Daraa.
The unrest gripping Syria was triggered by the arrests of teenagers caught scrawling anti-government graffiti on walls in Daraa, a southern city near the border with Jordan. Despite boasts by Assad that his nation was immune from the kind of uprisings sweeping the Arab world, protests against his rule quickly spread across the country of 23 million people.
Assad, who inherited power from his father in 2000, has blamed “armed thugs” and foreigners. The regime has hit back at protesters with large-scale military operations, including an 11-day siege in Daraa that killed about 50 residents.
Syria has also banned foreign media and restricted access for reporters to many parts of the country, making it difficult to independently confirm witness accounts of the violence.
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Comments (83)
QuranisBookofDeath
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 12:56amSo hard to root for one side over the other.
It’s like Iran v. Iraq, 1980 to 1988!!!! Such a tough decision.
May it go on forever…..
Arab on Arab, Muslim on Muslim, global religious supremacist versus his mirror….
How poetically romantical ‘n stuff.
/popcorn me
Report Post »rienheart
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 12:21amBrought to you by our Traitor in Chief. New World DISorder. South of the Border is our future, unless we can IMPEACH all the TRAITORS in our Midst, and imprison them for High Crimes.
Report Post »rvr340
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 1:44amRead my post above. We are all marching into what I believe will be the bloodiest times in America’s history.
The people of this nation will one day snap. We’re closer than anyone can imagine. It won’t be pretty that much I know.
Report Post »staythecourse
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 12:16amTop down….bottom up…. . And then the UN or Muslim Brotherhood to the rescue.
It’s not just the United States being turned “inside out”.
Report Post »rvr340
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 1:41amAs we look at this I wonder how many of us realize that this is coming here as well. We will be doing this in our own streets in the near future.
Report Post »staythecourse
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 12:15amTop down….bottom up…. inside out. And then the UN or Muslim Brotherhood to the rescue.
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 12:03amThe only ones who will gain with all this upheaval are the islamic fundamentalists like the muslin brotherhood. While the United Nations sits back and sends NATO forces to do all the dirty work. Saudi Arabia’s ties with China could be an insurance policy against any possible chance that this uprising shows up there in hugh crowds. The timing of all this is strange, since these brutal leaders have been ruling for decades. Why now? Who is really behind all this? OBL/UBL death will prove to be just another distraction away from a dismal foreign policy, and an economy that‘s in the tank dispite the trillions the Obama administration spent promising a recovery that’s never materialized.
Report Post »eramthgin
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 11:58pmThe UN will do nothing! They support dictators and abhore democracies. The majority of the nations in the UN are dictatorships. That should explain everything they do. Ever ask yourself who elects the UN. Answer NO ONE they are appointed! The current President wants us to be ruled by these appointed appointed masters.
Report Post »mikenleeds
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 11:14pmi see the good ole good muslins are at it again
Report Post »Captain Crunch
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 11:10pmIt’s none of our business. Let them fight it out among themselves.
Report Post »Thevoice
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 11:08pmWhat a missed opportunity….Assemble a two front invasion force. Arm the Egyptian Christians. The Christians in Jordan Syria and Iran You got the Syrians troops scattered across the country . Now would have been the perfect time to plow them all into the Jihad hell. Iran would think we were first coming to liberate. Two weeks three tops the entire middle east is ours and the marines smash the step off rock in Mecca to dust.Story over .Then we send Obama back to Indonesia ..
Report Post »psst
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:54pmSaaayyyy!! Where’s Soetoro and the NATO planes?
Report Post »What happened to the famous de-MocK-rasy . Haven’t ol Bashar and his bro gotten “The Woid”
Saaayyyy!! what’s going on w/ Ol Ghadafi? I saw him tonight on Dancing w/ the Stars.
hilLIE and Moaamar were doing the Tango.
Saaay, what ‘s up w/ all that Egyptian Democracy Thingy now that the bro-HOOD has taken over?
Caught a glimpse of them BBQ’ing Arab Christians AND their Churches..
Saaaaaay!! how about a all those new jobs w/ unemployment still rising to 16 % that the MSM truncated to 9 pucent.
Sayyyyyy!! No wonder Soetoro decided to have Ol OBL killed at this time.
What w/ all the other good news going on in the World.
Captain Crunch
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 11:32pmI’ve printed those pics from the Christians protecting the muslems praying in Egypt, the burning slaughter in Ethiopia, and the Coptic churches in flames. I love to shock idiots when they say its a religion of peace. A single picture can speak louder than a thousand morons, I mean muslems,
As far as Syria, the last time I checked they were an enemy of Israel. We should never ever help an enemy of Israel. We would find ourselves fighting against the God of Israel. That’s a very frightening thing to even think about. Those morons over there have been slaughtering each other for centuries and I believe any intervention by us to stop it would be the same as sticking our nose in a fight not ours. That’s a quick way to get a broken nose. Experience speaks. (my nose has never been the same)
Report Post »FANGS
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:38pmIt‘s amazing to see what has all happened on obama’s term. The world is falling apart compliments of the Obama administration.
Report Post »Beck_MSM_AlexJ_antibirther_bedfellows
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:38pmIt‘s not only America that’s reaping the benefits of Obamas’ leadership. There’s plenty of Utopia to go around.
Report Post »FANGS
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:21pmSee what happens when you don’t have Your guns or 2nd ammendment?. Sad, and obama cant touch them. He couldn’t help them even if he wanted to. Because then Iran will jump in and waala You have yourself a world war 3.
Report Post »AmericanStrega
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:40pmHasn’t WWIII already started? As Michael Stipe stated “It’s the end of the world as we know it…” But I don’t feel fine!
Report Post »HOOT
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:15pmKill a muslim save a Christian . Onward Christian soldier .
Report Post »ArmyGirl
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:15pmStay out of it U.S.
Report Post »No Aid$
No boots on the ground.
thebarbarian
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 1:02amagreed and no more financial $ or politcal $ for the entire 57 muslim run countries.
Report Post »BHAMCONSERVATIVE
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:14pmThe UN is the wrong org. to ask for help. They don’t have an army so unless they want useless sanctions against their govt. and cheap words, they’re wasting their time. Besides, if the UN had their way, they would be getting the same thing from the New World Order. Maybe they should pray to the UN’s panther god of weaving and fertility or whatever it was. lol
Report Post »POdVet
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 11:20pmHave to agree with you there. The UN they are asking for help is they same bunch of morons who named the people arresting and murdering these people to the human rights council. How is that for a sick joke!
Report Post »starman70
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 9:31amAll the UN will do is send a strongly worded letter of protest to the Syrian government. Then all President Assad will do is use the letter for toilet paper.
I say NO MORE American taxpayer dollars for the UN. Pull all funding from this corrupt hate America group. Then send them packing, move them OUT of New York and off American soil. Make them move their headquarters to Baghdad – - – they would fit right in.
Report Post »calebgs83
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:13pmI am completely out of sympathy for the islamic world…to them, freedom means the freedom to murder Christians and Jews.
Report Post »BHAMCONSERVATIVE
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:16pmI agree. They most likely want the freedom of choice…. to institute sharia and attack Israel.
Report Post »I-HATE-THE-WORD-DISENFRANCHISE
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:53pmWell said.
Report Post »DaveOregon
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:06pmYep – and there was such a need to go into/after Ghadahffi in Libya. This administration and the UN are such hypocritical asswipes. It’s all B.S. – the whole ME and the Obummer administration. You know – I don’t care. Bring the boys home – tell the ragheads they are on their own and if you threaten us – we’ll annihaliate your ass. Start drilling within 12hrs of the announcement – bring it on like Kennedy did the space race and Roosevelt did building Hoover Dam – drill, drill, drill.
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:04pmStill wonder about the pale green horse???????
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:03pmSorry, freedom fighters, this is what happens when America is weak. Our POTUS is a fast talking coward.
Report Post »randy
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:02pmYou must be Joking? Obama helping to defend Christians. Give me a freaking break. That will never happen…. That SOB we have in the White House, needs to be impeached and tried for treason.
Report Post »Outlaw_Josey_Wales
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:57pmChilling Footage: Obama Forced Arrest Hundreds of Activists in House-to-House Raids.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:11pmMost likely coming soon to America in one shape or another.
Report Post »Whostolemypig
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:34pmObama won’t be arresting union and left wing activist, they will be part of his army of thugs pulling quiet hard working people out of their homes.
Report Post »staggerlee32
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:38pmyep
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 9:39amLet‘s hope we don’t get such change, nevertheless you may be a bit prophetic.
Report Post »“we are given a Spirit of courage and not of fear.”
integrican
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 12:02pm@ Whostolemypig
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:34pm
“Obama won’t be arresting union and left wing activist, they will be part of his army of thugs pulling quiet hard working people out of their homes.”
Look at the states where is is most likely to happen. Gun restriction laws!!!
Personally, your forcast of events is exactly what many are waiting for. Then, the real ‘defensive rage’ will start. And they won’t believe what hit them…..they will be met by a force of such magnitude, they will cower like frightened mice. Bring it, THUGS!!! You will NOT like MY front porch!!!!
Have a great day, fellow patriots!!!!
Report Post »Its Gonna Getcha
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:55pmSomeone please grab the steering wheel on this.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 9:21amWhere is the apologist in chief on this one? Hiding in the presidential bedroom closet? Why not the outgage he expressed about Egypt and Libya? Oh, I forgot, Syria is and always has been Israel’s enemy so no matter who wins there, the hate Israel policy will remain intact. Right down the POTUS’ playbook.
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:53pmSo, what happened to our requiremnet to defend?!
Report Post »101
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:43pmLook at the mass killings south of the border, what are we doing? Nothing
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 3:24amWe don‘t seem to have a consistent policy on who we help and who we don’t – I hate this situation and wish we had not gotten involved in any of this. http://wp.me/pYLB7-Xe
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:51pmWell, so much for the requirement to defend!
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:57pmWhy do they want U N with Sauce On Side ?
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:59pmMaybe the uprising will take away the support to Palestine.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:59pmWhy didn’t they just protest or defend themselves with their guns……oh, that’s right, they live in a dictatorship with no gun rights. How is that Hope and Change working for them?
Report Post »101
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:01pmF-k the UN
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:01pmWe need to stay the heck out of this, period. If the ever loving UN thinks it can do a better job, then let the OTHER members go into Syria and take the risks; we need to leave this alone.
Report Post »DisillusionedDaily
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:19pmWe were concerned with civilian casualities in Libya, what makes Syria different? The Obama admin has a befuddling way of changing it’s mind with every new crisis. I don’t feel we should interfere, but I felt the same way about the Libyan uprising. At least I am consistant!
Report Post »staggerlee32
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:37pmWe need to close the UN in NYC and stop funding them….. did you all know that the Islamic countries have the majority of votes in the UN?
Report Post »staggerlee32
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:40pmIt’s funny when “they” say the Arab League asked us to go to the UN,,,,, THEY ARE THE UN!
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:46pmCommon over and get on welfare with all the other, other than indiginess people, air lift them out.
Report Post »I-HATE-THE-WORD-DISENFRANCHISE
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 10:46pmRounding up imams and extremist who support the muslim brotherhood. I don’t support the current nut bag, but what difference does it make if he’s just replaced by alot of nut bags. Let them fight each other.
Report Post »thebarbarian
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 11:32pmnice, real nice.
this is what the left wants for us. kill the constitution it’s out dated and olde. oh no, we can’t have guns to protect ourselves. that would just make it too difficult for the leftist to usurp power and control over us(U.S.)
lokk carefully… it’s comming to a home near YOU!
Report Post »Finch88
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 11:58pmGlad to live in America!
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 1:28am@101:
Report Post »“F-k the UN”
______________
I’m with you on this one! Washington thinks we forget…we haven’t forgotten the “Oil for Food” scam have we? Nope! If those idiots and crooks think we are “all in” for their selling out our sovereignty, they are going to find out just what the Second Amendment means to us! BOOM…WINNING!
Obama Bin Lying
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 7:19amWhy isn’t the Appeaser in Chief not helping these people? What makes the Egyptians and and Libyans so special?
Once again, we see the Religion Of perpetual outrage hard at work, showing they are perfectly intune with Democracy….The smartest thing the founding fathers ever did was seperate Church and state. Now only if Muslims would seperate Mosque and State, things would be a little better for them
Haven’t we learned enough about Islam, and the Government ruled by it?
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 9:27amActually, it’s Responsibility to Protect, and yeah, so much for that. I suppose it‘s not in the Obama Administration’s best interest to begin air strikes.
Report Post »Soliton
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 10:03amSyrians are revolting.
Report Post »