Asia

Home page

Asia

13 army personnel killed in clashes with armed groups in Syria’s Homs

21 July 2011 22:20 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. At least 13 army and security personnel were killed and another 100 injured Thursday in clashes with armed groups in the central city of Homs, local newspaper reported, APA reports referring Xinhua.

According to private newspaper al-Watan, sporadic bursts of gunfire were heard in some areas of Homs province when the army and security personnel were conducting "qualitative and delicate" operations to track down armed men who were hiding in crowded areas from the army and security forces.

The city of Homs has become the focal point of protests after bloody incidents were reported in the city.

According to activists, more than 13 people were killed Tuesday in Homs after clashes with security forces, and 30 others over the weekend.

The Syrian government said 1,200 members of security forces and army personnel had died since the eruption of protests. According to activists, more than 1,600 civilians have died and some 10,000 have been detained.