Clashes as Syrian government claims troop pullout

[maddezmom]

Source: CBS

BEIRUT — Loud explosions reverberated across the central Syrian city of Homs and clashes were reported in several areas across the country Wednesday, just hours after the government said it has started to withdraw troops from some cities in compliance with an international cease-fire plan.

Activists said a 50-year-old man and his younger brother were killed by soldiers who opened fire on their car from a machine gun mounted on a tank in the country's north.

A Syrian government official said Tuesday evening that troops had started pulling out from some calm cities and heading back to their bases, a week ahead of a deadline to implement U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan's truce plan.

"Forces began withdrawing to outside calm cities and are returning to their bases, while in tense areas, they are pulling out to the outskirts," the government official told The Associated Press in Damascus without saying when the withdrawal began. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.



Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501713_162-57409113/clashes-as-syrian-government-claims-troop-pullout/

[maddezmom]

1. UN ceasefire mission fails to curb Syria violence

Wed Apr 4, 2012 11:09am EDT

* Activists say at least 80 dead in past 36 hours

* Damascus puts overall death toll at 6,044

* Homs quarter bombarded for 17 days

* U.N. advance peace-monitoring team due in Syria

By Dominic Evans

BEIRUT, April 4 (Reuters) - Syrian opposition activists accused forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad of bombarding rebel areas on Wednesday as a U.N. mission was expected to arrive in Damascus in a first step to implement an international peace plan.

Activists said at least 80 people have been killed since Tuesday despite the imminent arrival of the advance team from the U.N. peacekeeping department.

The advance mission is part of the latest international effort to end a year of bloodshed that began with peaceful protests against Assad's authoritarian rule in March 2011.

Activists said troops and police loyal to Assad pressed on with a campaign of raids and arrests in rebel areas, accompanied by bombardments, gun battles and sniper attacks.

more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/04/syria-idUSL6E8F498420120404