Syria: Armed men target public properties of Hama

Xinhua, August 3, 2011

The armed groups are still targeting private and public properties in addition to "terrorizing residents" of the focal point city of Hama, the official SANA news agency reported on Tuesday.

The official news agency quoted an unnamed source as saying that the armed groups attacked the courthouse in Hama and other governmental buildings. "They are also setting tires ablaze to create smoke to make it looks like the army is pounding the city with artilleries," the source added.

Some satellite TV networks keep on ignoring the facts and going on with its inciting campaign to disrupt Syria's security and stability, said the source.

The video footage aired by the state TV late Monday showed the armed men fired at law-enforcement members and dropped their bodies in the Hama's Orontes River, the source said.

Meanwhile, an official military source called on the citizens of Hama and the northeastern city of Deir al-Zour which is witnessing riot acts as well, not to listen to rumors that the armed groups are spreading.

The source reiterated that the Syrian troops' goal is to restore normalcy to troubled areas across the country.

Since the unrest began in mid March, Hama and Deir al-Zour have been the hot beds of the anti-government demonstrations, with thousands protesting every week to demand the downfall of the Syrian leadership.