July 31 (Bloomberg) - tanks and Syrian soldiers took the city of Hama, killing and injuring dozens, as President Bashar al - Assad aims to regain control of the eve of the holy month of Ramadan, when they can step up the protests.
Tanks came from four directions, bombarding the city with cannon fire, leaving dozens dead or injured, Mahmoud Merhi, head of the Damascus Arab Organization for human rights, said today. At least 45 people were killed, Al Arabiya television reported quoting unidentified human rights activists. Footage aired by Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya showed columns of black smoke billowing from the city. They could hear the sounds of gunshots and people screaming.The attack on Hama falls one day before the start of the Islamic fasting month. Activists, analysts, and Syrian refugees have said they expect the uprising against Assad intensify during Ramadan and provides for an increase in the repression before the start of the holiday. They have killed more than 1950 demonstrators Kei since the demonstrations began in the middle of March, according to human rights groups SIRIUS.Protests have raised the biggest challenge to the Assad Government since he inherited power from his father, the late President Hafez al - Assad, 11 years ago.Demonstrators, inspired by the overthrow of leaders in Tunisia and Egypt at the beginning of this year, demanding democracy and increase civil rights in a country ruled by the family of Assad for four decades. Syria has been a key opponent of United States and Israel in Middle East policy and a corridor of power in the neighbouring Lebanon.Foreign PlotsAssad has blamed the protests in plots inspired abroad, to recognize that some demonstrators have legitimate demands and promising political changes.In Syria, as in other countries of Islamic majority, family and community groups will usually break the daily Ramadan fast after sunset, and people attend the mosque more frequently than in other months.The mosques have been Rally points for the Syrian protesters greater assistance can help organizers to have more people on the streets, said Chris Phillips, analyst of the Economist Intelligence Unit in London.The of the Syrian army, which has been around Hama siege for a month, he also began offensives in Al - Muathamiya, a suburb of Damascus, as well as the eastern cities of Deir Ezzor and AlbukamalMerhi said. "" They are attacking areas, raiding houses and so far about 1,500 persons were arrested in the suburbs of Damascus in the last two days, said.""Hama was the site of an uprising in 1982 which crushed the father of Assad, leaving about 10,000 people dead, according to Human Rights Watch.-With the assistance of Zahra Hankir in Dubai and Massoud Derhally in Beirut. Editors: Louis Meixler, Dan weeks.
To contact the reporter on this story: Nayla Razzouk in Amman in nrazzouk2@bloomberg.net Alaa Shahine in Dubai in asalha@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Shaji Mathew in shajimathew@bloomberg.net
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