SYRIA: Video obtained by Reuters shows the Syrian border town of Zabadani coming under attack during a Syrian army crackdown

Record ID: 280147

  • Title: SYRIA: Video obtained by Reuters shows the Syrian border town of Zabadani coming under attack during a Syrian army crackdown
  • Date: 17th January 2012
  • Summary: ZABADANI, SYRIA (RECENT - JANUARY 12, 2012) (AMATEUR VIDEO OBTAINED BY REUTERS) VARIOUS OF TOWN OF ZABADANI AT NIGHT, AUDIO OF GUNFIRE AND EXPLOSIONS VARIOUS TRACKING SHOTS OF EMPTY STREETS/ AUDIO OF REVOLUTIONARY MUSIC BEING PLAYED IN VEHICLE ZABADANI, SYRIA (JANUARY 9, 2012) (AMATEUR VIDEO OBTAINED BY REUTERS) BODY OF ZABADANI RESIDENT ALI MUSTAFA BURHAN WHO ACTIV
  • Embargoed: 1st February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Syrian Arab Republic
  • Country: Syria
  • Topics: Conflict,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAA2DODOS21A3DSW80E0BG03E4Y
  • Story Text: Amateur video obtained by Reuters shows the Syrian border town of Zabadani coming under fire on Thursday night (January 12, 2012), as the Syrian army began a crackdown on the town.
    The town of 40,000, which has become a stronghold for army defectors in recent months, was then stormed on Friday (January 13) by Syrian troops backed by tanks.
    It was the first major military offensive since Arab monitors went into the country last month to make sure Syria was complying with an Arab League plan to end the violence.
    Zabadani, 30 km (19 miles) northwest of Damascus, has seen regular demonstrations demanding the removal of President Bashar al-Assad.
    The amateur video also showed the bodies of two residents that anti-Assad activists said were killed when a tank shell hit them on January 8. Activists say the pair, who were buried a day later, were both civilians.
    Zabadani has repeatedly come under fire from Syrian forces prior to the assault on January 13.
    Earlier video showed Syrian army defectors in control of Zabadani and vowing to protect the town and its population.
    Syrians have kept up a campaign to end four decades of Assad family rule since March despite a crackdown by the authorities that the United Nations says has killed more than 5,000 people.
    Some, including army deserters, have taken up arms in recent months. Syrian authorities say foreign-backed "terrorists" have killed 2,000 soldiers and police since the revolt began.
  • Copyright Holder: AMATEUR VIDEO (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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