Tremseh killings targeted rebels UN monitors

	Tremseh killings targeted rebels UN monitors The attack on the Syrian city of Tremseh, widely condemned by the West as civilian murder, actually targeted rebels and army defectors, says a UN investigation. The findings contradict opposition claims of civilian killings by Assad forces. A team of monitors visited the site of the killings on Saturday. After a preliminary examination they concluded that "the attack on Tremseh appeared targeted at specific groups and houses, mainly of army defectors and activists." "A variety of weapons were used in an attack on the Syrian village of Tremseh, where more than 150 people were killed this week, with the homes of rebels and activists bearing the brunt," the UN mission said. However, the mission said the death toll was still unclear. Damascus says 37 fighters and two civilians were killed in their "military operation," while the activists are talking of around 220 civilians dead after "clashes with opposition protesters." The UN monitors plan to return to the area and continue the investigation, many conclusions of which so far appear to coincide with Damascus's claims that the attack on Tremseh was part of a counter-terrorist operation in the area. "Armed forces units on Thursday morning carried out a 'special operation' in Tremseh ... that targeted the gatherings of terrorist group members," said Syrian state news outlet SANA, quoting a military source. The Syrian government said the operation was launched in response to civilian pleas for help in the area, claiming that <b>...</b>	From: DaemonRonin Views: 1 0 ratings
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