SYRIA: Videos show Assad regime’s bloody pre-Ramadan offensive

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Huge clouds of thick, black smoke filled the sky over the central Syrian city of Hama early Sunday, in video posted below, as troops and armed enforcers loyal to President Bashar Assad launched a military assault on the opposition stronghold, reportedly killing dozens and injuring scores.

Activists and eyewitnesses also say troops and security forces have attacked the eastern city of Dair Alzour, the town of Boukamal near the Iraqi border, an area in the province of Dara, and a suburb of Damascus, among other locales.

Below, a clip purportedly showing live rounds being fired on people in the streets of Hama early Sunday.

‘It’s 5:30 in the morning,’ the cameraman says. ‘The army is entering Hama in the neighborhood of Kaze. Live gunfire is being fired on the people,’ he adds as heavy gunfire is heard in the background and people in the street are seen ducking. Mosques have also come under fire in the assault on Hama, according to this footage, which purportedly depicts a local mosque in Hama being fired on. Thick, white smoke rises from the minaret.

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses and activists have reported defections in the Syrian army during Sunday’s assault on Hama. In the video below, purportedly describing defected soldiers in Hama on Sunday, a group of soldiers is seen standing on top of a tank while being praised by bystanders. One man in civilian clothes is seen standing on the tank along with the soldiers while another bystander reaches out to one of the soldiers and kisses him on the cheek and hugs him.

-- Los Angeles Times

Video credit: YouTube