In Syria, the killings continue, as in Washington Panetta tells Congress that the US is providing "non-lethal aid" to the Syrian people.
VOA News 20 April 2012
A cease-fire in Syria showed more signs of unraveling on Friday, as security forces fired shots at protesters and pounded opposition strongholds while the government blamed rebels for a deadly explosion. The Syrian opposition also held anti-government protests in several towns and cities.
Syrian government troops pounded at least three districts in the flashpoint city of Homs Friday, despite an eight-day-old ceasefire. Government tanks and armored personnel carriers also reportedly stormed one neighborhood of Daraa and surrounded a town south of Homs.
In a visit to the southern city of Daraa, Moroccan Colonel Ahmed Himiche, who heads the U.N. observer team, spoke with a rebel soldier, who told him the government is not observing the cease-fire.
He says that the town of Qasri was shelled and no one from the media was there to report on it. He added that 60 people are missing from one town.
State-run media reports say an explosion killed 10 security force members near the Golan Heights region. The government blamed "armed terrorists" for the attack.
Despite the cease-fire, the Syrian government has said it has the right to respond to attacks.
Rebel leader Mustafa al-Sheikh, who heads the Higher Military Council of the Free Syrian Army, urged countries sympathetic to the rebels to form a military alliance with the rebels to help topple the government:
He asked foreign governments friendly with the opposition to form a joint military alliance outside of the U.N. Security Council to conduct surgical strikes against the regime to prevent further bloodshed and restore stability in Syria.
Despite the ongoing violence, thousands of opposition protesters took to the streets of several Syrian towns and cities.
Khattar Abou Diab, who teaches political science at the University of Paris, said that the Syrian government has been unable to regain control over of the country, creating what continues to be a stalemate.
He said that President Bashar al-Assad is using force, like his father did in 1982, to remain in power. He added that despite reliance on his two most powerful and loyal military units, Mr. Assad has failed to subdue the opposition stronghold of Homs and other flashpoint areas.
The U.N. Security Council is considering a plan that would increase the number of international monitors in Syria from about 30 to 300.
A U.N. spokesman described the cease-fire as "very fragile." He expressed hope that additional monitors would be in place in Syria very soon.
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told a congressional panel on Thursday that the Pentagon is providing "nonlethal aid" to the civilian-led opposition in Syria and that it is preparing additional measures if it becomes necessary to help protect the Syrian people.
Amid concern from some members of the U.S. Congress that the United States might be planning a military intervention similar to one in Libya last year, Panetta said there are similarities, but also important differences in the two situations.
He testified before the House of Representatives' Armed Services Committee, saying the United States stands with the Syrian people.
"Our policy towards Syria is very clear. We support a political and democratic transition that fulfills the Syrian people's aspirations," Panetta said.
Panetta told the panel that the United States is sending "nonlethal" aid to the Syrian opposition, including communications and medical equipment. The Pentagon also is providing $25 million of humanitarian relief.
Stumble It!
