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Syrians flee 'massacres' in Baniyas and al-Bayda | Syrians flee 'massacres' in Baniyas and al-Bayda |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Hundreds of Syrians have fled coastal areas where activists accuse government forces of carrying out massacres in a campaign of sectarian cleansing. | Hundreds of Syrians have fled coastal areas where activists accuse government forces of carrying out massacres in a campaign of sectarian cleansing. |
Gruesome videos show mutilated and burnt bodies of women and children, allegedly from the town of Baniyas. | Gruesome videos show mutilated and burnt bodies of women and children, allegedly from the town of Baniyas. |
On Thursday activists said at least 50 died in the nearby village of al-Bayda. | On Thursday activists said at least 50 died in the nearby village of al-Bayda. |
Meanwhile, Israeli officials say warplanes have carried out an air strike on Syria targeting weapons heading to Lebanon's Hezbollah. | Meanwhile, Israeli officials say warplanes have carried out an air strike on Syria targeting weapons heading to Lebanon's Hezbollah. |
It is the second time this year that the Israelis have carried out such strikes. | It is the second time this year that the Israelis have carried out such strikes. |
Militia involvement | Militia involvement |
Activists have reported two massacres in two days in the coastal area of central Syria. | Activists have reported two massacres in two days in the coastal area of central Syria. |
They say the first was at the Sunni village of al-Bayda, which was overrun by regime forces on Thursday. | They say the first was at the Sunni village of al-Bayda, which was overrun by regime forces on Thursday. |
Activists groups have named up to 50 people they say were massacred in al-Bayda, some of them women and children. | Activists groups have named up to 50 people they say were massacred in al-Bayda, some of them women and children. |
Now they are reporting similar scenes at the Ras al-Nabaa quarter of the nearby coastal town of Baniyas, and have posted gruesome video clips to back up their claims. | Now they are reporting similar scenes at the Ras al-Nabaa quarter of the nearby coastal town of Baniyas, and have posted gruesome video clips to back up their claims. |
Some activist groups say 200 were killed in Baniyas. | |
A video posted online said 20 had been killed, though it was unclear whether 20 was an overall figure, or referred only to that particular location. | |
Foreign news organisations are severely restricted in Syria, so accounts and videos from activists are difficult to verify. | |
The BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon says the clips show the bloodied and tangled bodies of women and children, some of them mutilated or partly incinerated. | |
Hundreds of families are reported to have fled Baniyas southwards towards the city of Tartus, but activists say they have been blocked from taking shelter there. | Hundreds of families are reported to have fled Baniyas southwards towards the city of Tartus, but activists say they have been blocked from taking shelter there. |
The pro-government militia known as the shabbiha are widely reported to be involved in the operation. | The pro-government militia known as the shabbiha are widely reported to be involved in the operation. |
Our correspondent says there is clearly a strong sectarian dimension to the reported actions. | Our correspondent says there is clearly a strong sectarian dimension to the reported actions. |
Local activist and opposition groups have accused the government of launching a campaign of sectarian cleansing in preparation for setting up some kind of Alawite entity, he adds. | Local activist and opposition groups have accused the government of launching a campaign of sectarian cleansing in preparation for setting up some kind of Alawite entity, he adds. |
International efforts to tackle the violence have recently focused on the alleged use of chemical weapons by the regime. | International efforts to tackle the violence have recently focused on the alleged use of chemical weapons by the regime. |
US President Barack Obama has described such actions as a "red line", but he said on Friday that he does not envisage a situation where US troops would be sent to Syria. | US President Barack Obama has described such actions as a "red line", but he said on Friday that he does not envisage a situation where US troops would be sent to Syria. |
The US has floated the idea in recent weeks of arming the rebel forces. | The US has floated the idea in recent weeks of arming the rebel forces. |
Analysts say the US and its allies are also discussing action including air strikes to enforce a no-fly zone, but Syria's ally Russia is strongly opposed to such measures. | Analysts say the US and its allies are also discussing action including air strikes to enforce a no-fly zone, but Syria's ally Russia is strongly opposed to such measures. |