Syria gov't denies fault in childrens' deaths

The U.N. had denounced the attacks in a statement that appeared to hold President Bashar Assad's regime responsible, and the White House called the violence acts of "unspeakable and inhuman brutality." Syria blames armed "terrorist groups."

"Children, women and other innocent people were killed in their homes and this is not what the Syrian army does," Makdissi said. "The method of killing was brutal."

The bloodshed is yet another blow to the international peace plan brokered by Annan and cast a pall over his coming visit to check on the plan's progress. The cease-fire between forces loyal to the regime of Assad and rebels seeking to topple it was supposed to start on April 12 but has never really taken hold, with new killings every day.

The U.N. put the death toll weeks ago at more than 9,000. Hundreds have been killed since.

Also Sunday, government troops shelled residential areas in central Syria.

The shelling hit neighborhoods in the central city of Hama and the rebel-held town of Rastan north of Homs, the Local Coordination Committees and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The two groups also reported clashes between troops and rebels in Hama, in the Damascus suburb of Harasta and in the capital's central Midan district. They said a bomb struck a security vehicle in the capital's upscale district of Mazzeh — near a military airport, according to the LCC.

The Observatory said the vehicle bombing caused casualties but did not have other details on the dead or wounded from the day's violence.

A video posted online by activists showed thick black smoke billowing from what it said was Mazzeh.

Damascus is tightly controlled by regime forces but has been hit by a wave of blasts over recent months that claimed the lives of scores of people. Most of the blasts have targeted Syrian security agencies.

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[ali massey]

All I can say is nothing shocks me from the Assad regime as they are fighting for their life,Assad and his Alawite kingdom will fall revenge will take place Bashar and his family will hang,I hope that I am here to see the ending,my ALLAH bless the people of Syria the Sunni/Shia/ Christians and others that is what makes a nation

[Ourdoc1]

Assad and his spokes people lie so much no one can ever believe them, yet they just don't get it.

BTW, what would America look lie after two years of Romney? Just like Syria does now.

[jonnyooh]

No sane person believes Assad. I don't know if that applies to Americans who get their information from Fox News.

[nonpolitico]

"Not their fault" eh?
Who has the tanks? Not rebels.
Who has control of Army? Not rebels.
Who is controlling mind of the violence and genocide? Not rebels.
UN completely USELESS!!!
It failed in old Yugoslavia, it has failed in Syria!
Only strong action to take out all tanks and air assets will give relief to the people of Syria being slaughtered in their thousands.
The UN Charter outlines a guarantee to life, Liberty and Property.
It has been hijacked by two totalitarian regimes.Perhaps they should be banned from membership if they are so openly totalitarian and fascist! The Cold War ended in 89, the old USSR and China are still run similar to the old system.
Perhaps the people of the Free world should end their affair with cheap (Chinese) goods and Russian Gas?
If they do not know that it is unacceptable to allow Fascist type genocide, then they have no part in civilisation!
The Left wing agitators, usually fill the streets when USA is involved. I see that NO demonstrations being organised against Russia and China!!
Is that because the Left in Western society are funded and in thrall to the anti democratic forces seeking to undermine the freedoms demonstrated for in the Arab Spring?
It seems that demonstrations are only held when they are liable to embarrass democratic nations. Seems demonstrators, from Ban the Bomb, through Troops Out and Animal rights to the Climate Change loons only take action if it will disadvantage the democracies.
Obama should give Assad an ultimatum, (regardless of Russia and China), stop the genocide or expect your presidential palace to be targeted. Along with your tanks and ALL the Russian Aircraft and air traffic systems!
The Arab Spring must not have been acceptable to the closed systems of China and Russia.
Time they were ignored across the world, as THEIR world view belongs back with Ghengis khan!
Syrian people need the US Navy.not the toothless talking shop of the UN.
Still Mr Obama so obviously is not up to standing up for freedom that it is embarrassing.
We should bear this in mind in November!

[netjunkie1]

You're assuming America is a democratic nation. It used to be before the banks took over.

[chyenna-2009]

This story makes me sick at my stomach. I know there will be "Collateral Damage" but who ever did this are Murderers. Killing people is bad enough but killing children purposely is murder. Not civil war. This goes beyond EVIL!!!!!!!!

[Lerianis4]

Unfortunately, when you are fighting a civil war, civilians are going to be harmed during that conflict. Children, teenagers and adults.