Major violence in Syria during uprising

2012-07-13 16:11

Bashar Assad (AFP)

Some of the major bloodshed in Syria since the uprising began in March 2011 against the regime of President Bashar Assad. In many cases, the Syrian government counters rebel claims by blaming the attacks on "armed" groups.

- 6 June 2012, Mazraat al-Qubair: At least 78 people shot, hacked or burned to death in the central Syrian village. Activists said pro-government militiamen known as "shabiha" were responsible. A UN spokesperson called it a "horrific crime".

- 12 May 2012, Houla: Activists say assailants gunned down people in the streets and stabbed women and children in their homes after large anti-government protests in Houla, a group of villages in central Syria. The UN says at least 108 people were killed, including 49 children.

- Early April 2012, Taftanaz and Killi: Activist claim at least 100 dead from government offensives in the northern Idlib province.

- February 2012, Homs: Near-daily bombardments from Syrian forces, along with attacks blamed on pro-government militiamen, kill hundreds of people over several weeks in the Baba Amr neighbourhood. The destruction leaves the district virtually deserted.

- 23 December 2011, Damascus: Back-to-back car bombs near Syria's intelligence agencies killed at least 44 in the first major attack in the heat of the capital. Syria's state-run TV blamed al-Qaeda militants.

- 19 December 2011, Idlib Province: Activists say at least 72 military defectors gunned down in northern Syria during an attempted escape. Scores more reported killed in following days in hunt for mutinous soldiers.

- 22 April 2012, Deraa area: At least 75 people killed in clashes with security forces in southern Syria. Amnesty International said the dead included a 7-year-old boy.

- AP