Rebels turn ‘brutal’ against Syria Army

Three Associated Press reporters, who spent two weeks with the rebels in northern Syria, found that the anti-government militants turn their prisoners into unwitting bombers, arming the vehicles carrying the inmates with bombs and detonating the explosives at Army checkpoints.

The reporters said they contacted a rebel group that, in particular, had heavy military equipment such as anti-aircraft guns, one tank, and some anti-tank missiles.

The group, which calls itself the “Falcons of Damascus,” says it buys arms with donations it receives from “honorable businessmen” amid indications that the financial assistance comes from Syrian expatriates and other Arabs.

The armed group’s commander, Ahmed Eissa al-Sheikh “was heard on the phone thanking a group in Bahrain,” the report said.

The militants get enough aid to receive monthly salaries of at least USD 25. Earlier in April, the so-called “Friends of Syria” group, which includes Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, pledged to pay USD one hundred million in financial aid to Syrian rebels.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March 2011. The violence has claimed the lives of hundreds of people, including many security forces.

While the West and the Syrian opposition say the government is responsible for the killings, Damascus blames ”outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups” for the unrest, insisting that it is being orchestrated from abroad.

DB/HN

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