DAMASCUS: Syrian security forces are conducting an operation in Homs city, state media reported on Thursday, with a monitor saying it targeted two districts.
“The Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the Military Operations Department, begins a wide-scale combing operation in the neighbourhoods of Homs city,” state news agency SANA said quoting a security official. The agency said the targets were “war criminals and those involved in crimes who refused to hand over their weapons and go to the settlement centres” but also “hidden ammunition and weapons”.
SANA later quoted a military official saying that the authorities were notified weeks ago that “remnants of Assad’s militias” were still in parts of Homs.
Since rebels overthrew Assad last month, the transitional government has been registering former conscripts and soldiers and asking them to relinquish their arms.
Authorities have sent troops and “armoured forces” to search for “those who refuse to settle their affairs and hand over weapons” in Homs, SANA said.
They have also imposed a curfew in parts of the city.
“The Ministry of Interior calls on the residents of the neighbourhoods of Wadi Al Dhahab (and) Akrama not to go out to the streets, remain home, and fully cooperate with our forces,” SANA said.
A resident of Akrama who fled the district said communications had been cut off in his neighbourhood, where he heard heavy gunfire and saw a tank entering in the morning.
“My father and my mother stayed at home, the situation is not good,” he said, adding: “We heard they’re entering and searching houses and that they’ve arrested young men inside homes.” — AFP
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