SYRIA: Residents return to Atarib despite it remaining under bombardment from government air force

Record ID: 281513

  • Title: SYRIA: Residents return to Atarib despite it remaining under bombardment from government air force
  • Date: 24th October 2012
  • Summary: BOY WALKING OVER RUBBLE OF DESTROYED BUILDING VIEW OF FIELD AND HILLOCK IN DISTANCE / AUDIO OF SHELLING BY THE 46TH DIVISION ON REBEL LOCATIONS REBEL FIGHTING SHOOTING PEOPLE WALKING ALONG GRASSY BANK ON EDGE OF FIELD, SMOKE RISING IN DISTANCE AUDIO OF SHOOTING, SMOKE RISING ABOVE BUILDINGS 46TH DIVISION'S BASE, WHICH REBELS SAY THEY HAVE SURROUNDED AUDIO OF SHELLING, SMOK
  • Embargoed: 8th November 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Syrian Arab Republic
  • Country: Syria
  • Topics: Conflict
  • Reuters ID: LVA1Z0GW3FXYJ73PTI4NDKYJSTCM
  • Story Text: Residents are returning to Atarib after it was taken over two weeks ago by rebels, who have surrounded the army's 46th Division base some 4 kilometres away.
    Atarib, around 30km west of Aleppo, has been under bombardment for the two weeks the rebels have held it, during which time they have placed a stranglehold on the government force 46th Division base.
    Residents trickling back into Atarib during the past weeks face a constant threat to their lives.

    "You can see the living conditions for yourself. We don't have bread. There is no electricity. There is no water. All day and night there are rockets from the 46th Military Division. All day we sit here, and we are half-dead," said one resident.

    "A fighter jet came and it dropped bombs or rockets, that is what destroyed this place. The situation here is disastrous. We don't have electricity, there is no water. There are no basic supplies that we need for children, not even milk. They have a hard time sleeping at night, because of the sound of the rockets and planes," said another.
    Residents say that they are not being prevented from leaving by anyone, rather they prefer to live under bombardment in their home town instead of living in refugee camps.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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