Syrian rebels smuggle civilians from embattled HaffehJune 12, 2012 - 17:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Rebels in Syria's embattled western town of Haffeh said on Tuesday, June 12 they were struggling to smuggle out civilians trapped in fierce fighting that has drawn international condemnation, Reuters reported. Three fighters contacted by phone said that hundreds of rebels who have joined the 15-month-old uprising against President Bashar al-Assad are fighting a tank and helicopter-backed assault on their district, tucked among rugged mountains near Syria's Mediterranean coast. International envoy Kofi Annan said on Monday he was worried residents were trapped in Haffeh and demanded immediate access for U.N. observers. The United States warned of a "potential massacre", after two reported mass killings in neighboring provinces in the past three weeks. Rebels said they had sent civilians to the outskirts of Haffeh when the 8-day siege began, but now those areas were also under fire. They said the army and militia men loyal to Assad had surrounded the area. "Every few days we manage to open a route to get out the wounded, so some families were able to escape yesterday," said one rebel who called himself Abdulwudud. "We're trying to move the families all out so they can flee to Turkey," about 25 km (15 miles) away. Clashes started last Tuesday between rebels and security forces who were setting up checkpoints to tighten their grip on the strategic town - it lies close to the port city of Latakia as well as the Turkish border - which has been used by rebels to smuggle people and supplies. The Sunni Muslim town is in the foothills of the coastal mountains which form the heartland of Assad's minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam. The clashes quickly spiraled into an assault by security forces. Annan demanded entrance into Haffeh for United Nations observers, who are monitoring a battered ceasefire deal declared two months ago but barely observed. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has a network of activists across Syria, said 29 civilians, 23 rebels and 68 soldiers were killed in the fighting since June 5. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |