Syrian President Accused of Violent Intimidation in Damascus - East Idaho News
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Syrian President Accused of Violent Intimidation in Damascus

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GETTY W 110311 SyriaBasharAlAssadJPG?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1345711574648Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images(DAMASCUS, Syria) — A Syrian opposition group based in Britain is accusing President Bashar al-Assad of using violent intimidation tactics to break rebel strongholds in the capital of Damascus.

According to The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reports from the ground indicate that government troops are using overwhelming force in certain neighborhoods where the rebels are strong.

The military strategy begins with massive shelling, followed by soldiers who shoot to kill everyone in sight, the Syrian opposition group said.

One raid in Damascus left at least two dozen people dead on Wednesday, while as many as 40 to 60 bodies have turned up in areas this week where the military launched its attacks.

The conflict, which began in March 2011, has left 21,000 to 23,000 people, according to some estimates.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

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