Syria says it arrested 144 'terrorists', claims confiscating weapons

[News_Editor]

Syria says it arrested 144 'terrorists', claims confiscating weapons

2011-10-11 21:12:13 GMT+7 (ICT)

DAMASCUS (BNO NEWS) -- The Syrian government on Tuesday said it has arrested more than 140 alleged terrorists and claimed it confiscated large amounts of firearms and explosives, state-run media reported.

The report said 144 men were arrested on Tuesday in the al-Bayyada and al-Khalidye neighborhoods of Homs Governorate. The arrests were made while security forces were pursuing 'armed terrorist groups' in the region, according to the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

More than 2,900 people have been killed in Syria since pro-democracy demonstrations began in mid-March as part of a broader uprising across North Africa and the Middle East that has led to the toppling of entrenched regimes in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. More than 350 people were reportedly killed during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The Syrian government has repeatedly claimed that the violent acts have been instigated by terrorists who use military uniforms and weaponry to pose as soldiers while attacking citizens. These claims have been rejected by residents, human rights groups and the international community.

According to SANA's report on Tuesday, confiscated weapons included AK-47 assault rifles, pump-action shotguns and handguns. Dozens of motorbikes with no license plates were also seized in addition to a number of vehicles, including one which was allegedly rigged with explosives.

"Other confiscated items include fake military and civilian IDs and military uniforms used by the terrorists to frame the army for their crimes," SANA said in its report. "On a relevant note, an engineering unit dismantled an explosives found in Homs National Hospital. The device was hidden inside a large soda bottle rigged with a detonator filled with fertilizer-based explosives."

Meanwhile, authorities also claimed that they had recovered the body of a person identified as Nizar al-Saleh. The Syrian government said Al-Saleh had been abducted by a terrorist group and that his body showed signs of torture and mutilation.

It was not possible to confirm the Syrian government's claims, but observers believe such reports are fabricated to justify its crackdown on protesters by claiming they are terrorists.

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