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Syria: Bodies Of 45 'Massacred' Women And Children Discovered In Homs

Huffington Post UK    
First Posted: 12/03/2012 08:33 Updated: 12/03/2012 17:44

Syria

UPDATE: Harrowing personal testimony about the alleged massacre has now emerged. The accounts are now included here.

The bodies of at least 26 children and 21 women were discovered in the ruins of the city, said to be victims of a massacre by government security forces.

The city has been subject to an assault by the Syrian army for weeks, and attacks have continued even after opposition forces withdrew under pressure from intense shelling.

The Activists News Association published extremely graphic videos on Facebook which appeared to show the corpses in a field hospital.

The latest gruesome discovery came as American reporter Marie Colvin, who died alongside French photographer Remi Ochlik in a mortar attack on Homs in February, was buried in New York.

Elsewhere British Foreign Secretary William Hague pushed the UN security council to adopt a resolution condemning the violence after a weekend of diplomatic efforts by UN and Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan did not lead to a hoped-for breakthrough.

Annan said that he was "optimistic" following the talks, and that if enacted his "concrete proposals" could lead to a ceasefire.

He added that every Syrian "wants peace".

Critics said that President Assad had rejected all talks with "armed terrorist groups", meaning the increasingly militarised opposition movement, and had given no ground over his own personal hold on power.

Assad said during the talks: "No political dialogue or political activity can succeed while there are armed terrorist groups operating and spreading chaos and instability."

Dr Bassma Kodmani, with the opposition Syrian National Council, told the BBC Assad had to stand down.

He said that Assad leaving office was a "first condition" of any negotiation.

Large-scale demonstrations against Assad's rule, including some in central Damscus were reported on Sunday evening, after a weekend of violence.

The UN says that at least 7,500 people have been killed since the start of the uprising 12 months ago.

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PRIMERM7
0 Fans
06:43 AM on 03/13/2012
A letter to the ruler of Syria:

When people start burning children in front of their mothers, there are no words to describe the inhumanity displayed here. Is this done for power, prestige, control by the government?? As a leader of the country I cannot imagine a more heartless person wanting his control so much that he would allow this to happen. Does he not think about how he would feel if it were his children? Please, Please, STOP IT! STOP IT!. You will probably have a comfortable life after your ruling of the country. I beg you, please stop and think. Would you want to be under your rule? Would you want that for your children and family? People just want to be able to live a peaceful and honorable life, just like you. Sir, I beg you from the bottom of my heart, please, please, let your people go. If it was your child being burned in front of you, I do not believe that you would care to witness that. People are People just like you and they have feelings. Can you imagine your Mother watching you burn?? Please Sir, I beg you, do not put your country in the same atrocities as Hitler did. Please have a heart, control is not everything. Be grateful for the time you had as a leader and let your people live in peace. LP
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Signin
33 Fans
04:52 PM on 03/12/2012
If this is true, what are the Arab League doing about it. Why is this terrible situation left up to the rest of the world to sort out. To the Arab League i say, help your people NOW!!!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Saint wright
Dyslexic old chippy
284 Fans
 
02:34 PM on 03/12/2012
i think they have been guest of oru dear Queen?
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Signin
33 Fans
05:19 PM on 03/12/2012
What the **** are you talking about?
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waddytog
97 Fans
02:06 PM on 03/12/2012
counties like this (libya, israel, iraq, iran, sudan, ethiopia) ie. "the sandy states" have been doing this for years, it's their way of life, particulary when women are 2nd rate citizens and children fair no better.
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tracingagent
995 Fans
01:37 PM on 03/12/2012
Isn't it just wonderful that the persons responsible for this appalling crime could, and would be allowed to enter this Country.
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virtusfides
13 Fans
01:27 PM on 03/12/2012
The masacre was done by the rebels when man refused to fight for the Foreign invasion force,in the West called demonstrators,but as you could have read at the Cyasin organisation page, where as by 3 of a group actual there where also attacked for being Westerners and saved by the Syrian troops. The Killing of woman and children was mentioned that time, but ignored by the US colonel in Hom and the French special troops, both who were liaison troops for the Rebels. It is typical for the Western Media to turn the event now as of it was done by Syrian troops. It is also an act of cowards and fall in line with the US eagerness to get their hands on Syria just as they have done in Libya, It is announced at the time UNSC need to be convinced that an invasion of Syria is needed. We had this cowardliness from the Media before, when an UNSC decision had to be taken and then also the Rebels carried out as eye witnesses said by the rebels. If there is stil someone who trust anything from US led Media they need their heads examined.
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LJH1942
11 Fans
02:10 PM on 03/12/2012
What a load of Verbal DIAREEEEA
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Signin
33 Fans
05:34 PM on 03/12/2012
Sober up and say that again. Sounds like gobbledygook!
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Norman Mitchison
92 Fans
 
12:19 PM on 03/12/2012
These atrocities cannot be tolerated for much longer.Why have`nt the UN taken action instead of talking about it.This dictator is guilty of horrendous war crimes but the arab league and the rest of the world just stand by watching it. Lesser dictators have invoked military action and been deposed.
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BigGrump
24 Fans
02:42 PM on 03/12/2012
These atrocities will go on and be tolerated until the powers that be around the world find some advantage by stepping in to "help". Humanitaryism always come at a price.
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Norman Mitchison
92 Fans
 
07:16 PM on 03/12/2012
And is that price the price of oil?
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Mr Pedro
54 Fans
02:54 PM on 03/12/2012
Trouble is the UN has never solved any of these problems. They are still in Cyprus after decades of peace-keeping.
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Norman Mitchison
92 Fans
 
07:14 PM on 03/12/2012
Which was a waste, again, of life combatting EOKA. It was a rough time as well out there then.
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