Arab monitors escape attack by Syrian forces in #Damascus suburb #AssadCrimes

Arab monitors escape attack by Syrian forces in Damascus suburb

clipped from article: An Arab League team of monitors withdrew from the Damascus suburb of Arbeen after forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad opened fire at them as they toured the streets, Al Arabiya TV reported on Friday.

Arab government sources have said the peace monitors will remain in Syria to check on the government’s compliance with a promise to end 10 months of violence against pro-democracy protesters, But the incident in Arbeen is likely to increase pressure on the Arab League to withdraw its observers.

Analysts fear that if the Arab monitors were pulled out it could open the door for foreign intervention, a scenario many Arab countries want to avoid. Syria is a major player in the region and is strongly supported by Iran and militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.


The head of the Free Syrian Army Thursday called on the Arab League to admit that its observer mission to the country is a failure, urging the bloc to seek U.N. help to end almost 10 months of bloodshed.[ read more at link]