President al-Assad earlier this month announced the formation of a committee to draft a new constitution within four months. The October 15 announcement was one of several moves the government has made to defuse protests, but they have not calmed the situation in the country.
Government forces killed six people they described as terrorists Saturday, and arrested 20, the SANA reported Sunday.
Opposition activists, meanwhile, said at least 21 people were killed, including at least 11 who died when Syrian forces pounded the western city of Homs with tanks, sustaining fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.
Some in the country have also told reporters that some military defections may have occurred but nothing for sure has been confirmed.
Some leaders especially in the US and Europe remain worried that Syria may explode in violence much like Libya, but unlike the now deceased dictator, al-Assad controls a very modern and dedicated military force which may be called into action over the coming weeks in direct assaults against civilian targets.
(아주경제 앤드류 이 기자)
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
View more comments