Syrian gunboats fire on coastal city; 5 killed

The activists reported that, on Sunday, Syrian gunboats firing heavy machine guns pounded impoverished districts of Latakia, killing atleast 5 people in a renewed assault on the Mediterranean Coastal city.  The ground troops backed by tanks and security agents stormed several neighborhoods, as the gunships blasted waterfronts districts. Across the city the sharp crackle of machine-gun fire and loud explosions could be heard. The intense operations in Latakia, a key port city once known as a summer tourist draw, are part of a brutal government crack down on several Syrian cities meant to root out protesters demanding the ouster of President Bashar Assad. Into the city's al-Ramel district, atleast 20 tanks and armored personnel carriers rolled, along with intense gun-fire that sent many residents fleeing the area.  It was asserted by the activist that atleast two people were killed in the initial assault. Since the demonstrations broke out throughout the country in mid-March, the al-Ramel section of Latakia has seen large protests against Assad's regime. On Friday, upto 10,000 people turned out in protests in the area.
As per the information provided by the activists, the Syrian security forces stormed several districts in Latakia on Sunday. According to Rami-Abdul Rahman, head of the London based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the activist network the Local Coordination committees, atleast five people have died in the shooting. It was stated by them that the gunboats in the Mediterranean are taking part in Sunday's assault. He says they are firing heavy machine guns at al-Ramel. They also added that as a result of the indiscriminate firing on the houses, a large number of people were wounded.
Its crackdown has been justified by the government by saying it's dealing with terrorist gangs and criminals who are fomenting unrest. The Syrian uprising was enthused by the revolts and calls for reform sweeping the Arab world, and the activists and the rights group says that most of these killed have been unarmed civilians.
An antagonistic new military offensive that began with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at the start of August has killed several hundred people in just one week.  
 News report By SM

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