Syria said that army units began withdrawing from Dera, the heart of an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, but assured residents that the city remains under siege. Soldiers also raided homes in other parts of the country amid a popular revolt that represents the greatest challenge to the authoritarian 11-year term of Assad.
The president ordered the army 10 days ago to take Dera, the birthplace of a revolt that began in March calling for greater freedoms and then demanded his ouster. Activists and residents said troops backed by tanks, bombed and strafed the old quarter of the city and made mass arrests. The official news agency SANA quoted a military source as saying the army completed its mission, arresting elements of "terrorist" groups and restore security, peace and stability.
Two witnesses who were leaving the city said that about 30 tanks left Dera north. But they added that Syrian military units backed by armored vehicles, still stationed at various entrances to the town. Residents living in the area Mahatta indicated that at least six tanks were located near government buildings and public places and they could see snipers on the roofs of some buildings.
"There are security barriers every 100 meters. The security forces have not yet gone. Are scattered throughout Balad, "said a resident called Abu Jasem. Human rights groups say at least 560 civilians have died since the protests began in Dera March 18. The authorities, who blame the violence by armed groups say the death toll is much lower and that half of those killed were security forces.
Residents in other parts of the country said soldiers made arrests in the suburb of the capital Damascus Saqba and strengthened their site in two centers challenging by urban Muslim day of prayer on Friday. The noon prayers are the only time that the Syrians can gather legally, so Friday was the day of the largest and often bloody protests.
A resident who declined to be identified reported that hundreds of uniformed soldiers raided homes and arrested people during the night Saqba, where thousands of Syrians demanded the fall of Assad last week. "communications cut off before you come. There is no resistance. Saqba demonstrations have been peaceful.
Dozens of people have been arrested, "he said. Wissam Tarif, executive director of the Insan human rights, said at least 260 people were arrested in Saqba. Previously he had said more than 800 people were arrested in Dera since the arrival of the Army . In a sign that Assad is making more use of the army to crush the revolt, tanks and armored vehicles were deployed in the village of Rast and military units set up checkpoints in the Sunni districts in Banias.
There was also presence of armed troops in Erbin, a suburb of Damascus, and Tel, north of the capital, where according to human rights group Sawasiah security forces arrested at least 80 men, women and children. A student activist said security forces dispersed a demonstration Thursday at the University of Aleppo.
Before the division of the army led by Assad's brother Maher, came into Dera, the president had used the security forces and the secret police to confront the protests. "Assad's decision to use the Army is the ultimate escalation of force that can display and a clear sign that he has no interest in reconciliation," said an official of an Arab government is closely monitoring the situation in Syria.
Washington, which has sought to improve its relationship with Assad in recent years, gradually intensified its condemnation of violence in Syria and was recently defined by the Army in Dera attack as "barbaric." The Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said on Thursday that Washington and Rome discussed sanctions against Damascus, including the suspension of cooperation talks with the European Union.
Assad belongs to the minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam. His father Hafez ruled Syria, Sunni majority for 30 years. Bashar succeeded him after his death. 
The president ordered the army 10 days ago to take Dera, the birthplace of a revolt that began in March calling for greater freedoms and then demanded his ouster. Activists and residents said troops backed by tanks, bombed and strafed the old quarter of the city and made mass arrests. The official news agency SANA quoted a military source as saying the army completed its mission, arresting elements of "terrorist" groups and restore security, peace and stability.
Two witnesses who were leaving the city said that about 30 tanks left Dera north. But they added that Syrian military units backed by armored vehicles, still stationed at various entrances to the town. Residents living in the area Mahatta indicated that at least six tanks were located near government buildings and public places and they could see snipers on the roofs of some buildings.
"There are security barriers every 100 meters. The security forces have not yet gone. Are scattered throughout Balad, "said a resident called Abu Jasem. Human rights groups say at least 560 civilians have died since the protests began in Dera March 18. The authorities, who blame the violence by armed groups say the death toll is much lower and that half of those killed were security forces.
Residents in other parts of the country said soldiers made arrests in the suburb of the capital Damascus Saqba and strengthened their site in two centers challenging by urban Muslim day of prayer on Friday. The noon prayers are the only time that the Syrians can gather legally, so Friday was the day of the largest and often bloody protests.
A resident who declined to be identified reported that hundreds of uniformed soldiers raided homes and arrested people during the night Saqba, where thousands of Syrians demanded the fall of Assad last week. "communications cut off before you come. There is no resistance. Saqba demonstrations have been peaceful.
Dozens of people have been arrested, "he said. Wissam Tarif, executive director of the Insan human rights, said at least 260 people were arrested in Saqba. Previously he had said more than 800 people were arrested in Dera since the arrival of the Army . In a sign that Assad is making more use of the army to crush the revolt, tanks and armored vehicles were deployed in the village of Rast and military units set up checkpoints in the Sunni districts in Banias.
There was also presence of armed troops in Erbin, a suburb of Damascus, and Tel, north of the capital, where according to human rights group Sawasiah security forces arrested at least 80 men, women and children. A student activist said security forces dispersed a demonstration Thursday at the University of Aleppo.
Before the division of the army led by Assad's brother Maher, came into Dera, the president had used the security forces and the secret police to confront the protests. "Assad's decision to use the Army is the ultimate escalation of force that can display and a clear sign that he has no interest in reconciliation," said an official of an Arab government is closely monitoring the situation in Syria.
Washington, which has sought to improve its relationship with Assad in recent years, gradually intensified its condemnation of violence in Syria and was recently defined by the Army in Dera attack as "barbaric." The Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said on Thursday that Washington and Rome discussed sanctions against Damascus, including the suspension of cooperation talks with the European Union.
Assad belongs to the minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam. His father Hafez ruled Syria, Sunni majority for 30 years. Bashar succeeded him after his death.
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