Syrian forces withdraw from embattled Zabadani
(AP) Syrian government tanks and armoured vehicles have pulled back from an embattled mountain town near Damascus, activists and witnesses have said, but at least nine people were killed by security forces elsewhere as a month-long Arab League fact-finding mission expired.
The pullback from Zabadani left the opposition in control, activists said. The besieged town has witnessed heavy exchanges of fire between army troops and anti-government military defectors over the past six days.
The 10-month uprising against the Syrian president, Bashar Assad, has become increasingly militarised and chaotic as frustrated opponents and army defectors arm themselves to fight government forces. There have been three suicide bombings in the capital since late December, which the government has blamed on terrorist extremists.
Arab League foreign ministers would consider extending the observer mission in Syria at a meeting on Sunday in Cairo, officials said.
full: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/19/syrian-forces-withdraw-embattled-zabadani
Syrian anti-regime protesters march through Zabadani the day before government forces withdrew. Photograph: AP
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