SYRIA: Anti-Assad feelings run high in suburb of Saqba as the protest movement inches closer to the capital Damascus

Record ID: 280519

  • Title: SYRIA: Anti-Assad feelings run high in suburb of Saqba as the protest movement inches closer to the capital Damascus
  • Date: 28th January 2012
  • Summary: CONVOY OF JOURNALISTS LEAVING SAQBA THROUGH NARROW ROADS DRIVING SHOT OF STREETS OF SAQBA SHOWING RESIDENTS STANDING AND GARBAGE DUMPED ON THE CORNER AND ANTI-ASSAD GRAFFITI
  • Embargoed: 12th February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Syrian Arab Republic
  • Country: Syria
  • Topics: Conflict,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA97QPOLPE7Y4FH1HQZ3X19AFLA
  • Story Text: A small green, white and black rebel flag waving at the entrance to the Damascus suburb of Saqba on Friday (January 27) showed it was no longer under the control of President Bashar al-Assad's forces.
    Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is battling a 10-month uprising which has become increasingly militarised as rebels and army deserters under the Free Syria Army turn against his forces.
    On the street in Saqba, tens of protesters lined the street eager to show the driving convoy of international journalists what they feel towards Assad. ''Inspite of you Assad, we will have freedom forever,'' they chanted.
    On man peaked inside the journalists' car and said: ''The prisoners. We want the prisoners. Thank you very much.'' Another young boy said: ''We want the prisoners. My father has been detained for three months, his name is Mahmoud Tahha, he was detained in Harasta,'' naming another nearby suburb where anti-Assad feelings are strong.
    There was no sign of security forces across the town, whose littered streets, closed shops and bullet-marked walls and windows offered evidence of the strife.
    The residents proudly say that their town was the second to revolt after the uprising against Assad erupted in the southern town of Deraa in March last year.
    As journalists left the town they were turned back several times by Free Army fighters who were guarding the area, saying Assad snipers were operating in the area.
    A few hours after they left, activists said fighting erupted in the nearby suburbs of Zamalka and Ain Tarma
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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