The killings in a collection of villages called Houla near the central Syrian
city of Homs last week have drawn fresh attention to the Syrian conflict, in
part because of the brutality of the massacre. Activists posted amateur
videos online showing shells exploding in the village, dismembered bodies
lying in the streets, then rows of dozens of dead laid out before being
buried in a mass grave.
The UN has said government forces fired tank shells and artillery at Houla,
but stopped short of blaming them for Friday’s killings. Activists said most
of the victims were killed by pro-government thugs who stormed the area
after clashes with local rebels, but the regime categorically denied any
involvement.
The United Nations said previously that 108 people were killed in the
massacre, including 49 children and 34 women; some had bullet holes through
their heads.
International envoy Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in
Damascus on Tuesday, Syria’s state new agency reported without giving
further details.
Source: AP
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