#Syrian rebels retreating from besieged district - #World - DNA

Syrian rebels retreating from besieged district - World - DNA

clip from article: The siege of Baba Amr has been among the deadliest of the uprising. Rebels had held the area for several months, but in early February, regime forces surrounded the neighbourhood and began firing tank shells that slammed into homes and killed hundreds of people.

Many of the wounded could not reach doctors, forcing residents to set up makeshift clinics for crowds of bloodied victims.

The relentless attacks disrupted electricity, Internet and telephone services.

Burhan Ghalioun, head of the opposition Syrian National Council, told a news conference in Paris that rebels have relocated from some areas but said the resistance in Baba Amr "is still strong." It was not immediately clear what escape route the rebels used.

Before the retreat was announced, Rami Abdul-Rahman, head of the British-based activist group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said there was "fierce fighting" at the entrances to Baba Amr and troops have been unable to enter so far.

Syrian activists said government forces had cut off communications to Baba Amr, jamming satellite phone signals as they mass for an apparent ground assault. The neighbourhood has been under siege for about four weeks and hundreds have died in shelling. [read more at link] ,,, I hate this, can't focus on anything, I am so worried about all those people, especially the children!! :( I have to go to work soon, but will be checking on Syria, and praying for Syria. :(