BBC News – Syrian soldiers ‘killed in ambush’ near Hama

Six Syrian soldiers and three civilians have been killed in an ambush by an armed group in central Syria, state media says.

A further 17 people were wounded as gunmen ambushed the bus near Hama, Sana reported, adding that three gunmen were killed in an ensuing gunfight.

Syria blames foreign-backed armed groups for the ongoing protests against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad.

Meanwhile, activists said Syrian forces killed 12 in raids on restive areas.

The Local Coordination Committees (LCC), which coordinates anti-regime protests, reported 12 deaths in the north-western province of Idlib and the city of Hama.

The area has seen more arrests and bloodshed since Hama governorate Attorney-General Adnan Bakkour resigned last week in protest at “crimes against humanity” committed by security forces.

Activists say nearly 30 people have died across Syria since Friday, which saw the now-familiar weekly pattern of prayers, followed by protests, followed by shootings.

Access to Syria has been severely restricted for international journalists and it is rarely possible to verify accounts by witnesses and activists.

But the United Nations says more than 2,200 people have been killed in government crackdowns since pro-democracy demonstrations began in mid-March.

via BBC News – Syrian soldiers ‘killed in ambush’ near Hama.