Damascus, April 20: Armed “criminal groups” have shot Syrian Colonel Mohammad Abdo Khaddour dead in the central city of Homs, an official source says.
The unnamed source told Syrian Arab News Agency on Tuesday that Khaddour was killed when he was heading to work.
Also on Tuesday, at least 10 people were killed by armed “criminal gangs” as security forces tried to end a pro-reform sit-in in the city of Homs.
The victims lost their lives in clashes with members of armed Salafi groups that refused to leave the city’s Clock Square, according to local media.
A rights campaigner has acknowledged that people were told to leave the square before the clashes erupted.
The sit-in was held despite a government warning that some armed Salafi groups were planning what it described as “an insurrection” through terrorizing the population.
The protests have been held in several Syrian cities since mid-March. Scores of people have been killed during the protests.
Authorities have denied allegations that security forces are responsible for the death of protesters. They blame the violence on armed groups, saying security forces have been given clear instructions not to hurt civilians.
——–Agencies