More than 3,000 reportedly detained in Rastan as MP says opposition move to topple President Assad will not succeed.
Last Modified: 03 Oct 2011 14:38
Syrian troops going house to house have detained more than 3,000 people in the past three days in a rebellious town that government forces recently retook in some of the worst fighting since the country's uprising began six months ago, an activist has said.
He said the detainees were being held at a cement factory, as well as some schools and the Sports Club, a massive four-storey compound, in Rastan.
"Ten of my relatives have been detained," said the activist, who asked that he be identified by his first name, Hassan. He said was he speaking from hiding.
"The situation in the town is miserable," he said, adding that the town of some 70,000 people was heavily bombed for five days starting Tuesday when the army launched an offensive.
Syria's state-media said troops took control of Rastan after hunting down "armed terrorists" holed up inside.
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