Nicosia: Seven security agents were killed
in an attack on their road convoy in northwest Syria on Tuesday,
apparently carried out by army deserters, a rights group said.
"Armed men, suspected deserters, attacked a security
forces convoy at the entrance to Maaret al-Noman town in Idlib
province, killing seven agents, including an officer," the
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
It said in a statement that several others were wounded
in the attack.
The vehicle consisted of "40 vehicles -- buses, 4x4 cars
and vehicles of the anti-terrorism services," the
Britain-based watchdog added.
"Ambulances rushed to the scene of the attach which was
completely sealed off," it said.
The attack took place at 1630 IST and gunfire could still
be heard in the early afternoon, the watchdog said.
According to UN estimates more than 3,000 people have
been killed in the crackdown against dissent since protests
erupted in Syria in mid-March.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 20:32