Syrian army defectors have attacked a major intelligence base on the edge of Damascus, says a Syrian opposition group, as Syria’s suspension from the Arab League takes effect.
Members of the Free Syrian Army fired shoulder-mounted rockets and machine guns at a large air force intelligence complex at around 2.30am, said the Syrian Revolution General Commission. A gunfight followed, with helicopters circling the area.
It is the first reported assault on a major security complex during the eight-month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, activists said, and marks an escalation in opposition against the government.
Sources on the ground said the area where the fighting took place is still inaccessible and there are no immediate reports of casualties.
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The reported violence came as Arab League met in Rabat to discuss growing concerns about Syria’s violent crackdown on protesters.
Syria was invited to the the meeting but boycotted it, following the Arab League’s confirmation that Syria would be suspended from the 22 member regional bloc.
Turkey, now a critic of its neighbour and former ally, said Syria had failed to honour an Arab peace plan to halt the unrest.
Speaking through a translator, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu compared Syria with Libya, where rebels captured, humiliated and killed Muammar Gaddafi last month.
“The regime should meet the demands of its people,” he said.
“The collective massacres in Syria and … the bloodshed cannot continue like this.”
Meanwhile, France – who lost its mandate when Syria gained independence in 1943 – removed its ambassador in Damascus.
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said France was working with the Arab League on a draft resolution at the United Nations.
But Russia, along with China, have indicated they would veto any resolution at the UN Security Council.
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In Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi criticised the Arab League for “acting in a way that will hurt the security of the region”, and interfering in Syria’s affairs.
But activists and human rights groups claim the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group are active on the ground in Syria and are propping up the regime.
Mr Salehi told the official news agency IRNA that Syria, an ally of Shia Iran since 1980, had repeatedly promised to meet legitimate popular demands and enact reforms.
“Unfortunately, some countries believe that they are outside the crisis … but they are mistaken because if a crisis happens they will be entangled by its consequences.”
Following criticism of its decision in the summer to send in Saudi troops to quell an uprising in Bahrain, the country’s Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal maintained the Sunni regional super-power’s prioritiy was to end the violence in Syria.
He told Al Arabiya: “What’s important is not about suspending or not suspending (Syria from the League), it’s stopping the bloodshed, starting the dialogue, and withdrawing troops from Syrian cities.”
Read more: Syria 'spilling over into sectarian violence.'
In the most recent outbreak of street violence, Syrian forces killed at least six civilians on Tuesday, shooting from roadblocks in Idlib, and in raids on the central city of Homs.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also said that the bodies of three young activists who were killed in custody were delivered to their families on Tuesday.
Syria says it remains committed to the Arab peace plan, which calls for the withdrawal of troops from urban areas, the release of prisoners and a dialogue with the opposition.
State media said more than 1,000 prisoners, including prominent dissident Kamal Labwani, were freed on Tuesday. But human rights campaigners say over 14 000 prisoners remain in detention.
According to the UN, more than 3,500 people have died since protests against the current government started in March. Syrian authorities blame violent outbreaks on armed gangs and militants.