Syria has categorically rejected media reports that the Middle Eastern country executed 21 defected army officers, calling the reports “sheer lies.”
"Fabricating such news is an evidence of the bankruptcy of these media channels that have waged a disinformation campaign since the eruption of the crisis in Syria," a Syrian military official said on the condition of anonymity on Tuesday.
The Syrian opposition claimed on Monday that it had received information that 21 of their members are to face a firing squad within the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Syrian military forces clashed with armed gangs in the southern city of Deraa on Tuesday and killed five gunmen and injured three more. The soldiers also confiscated a large amount of ammunition and machine guns from the gangs.
Meanwhile, a Syrian officer lost his life on Tuesday when gunmen opened fire on a unit of the Syrian military in the western city of Hama.
Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March, with demonstrations being held both against and in favor of President Bashar al-Assad. Hundreds of people, including security forces, have been killed in the turmoil.
While the West and the Syrian opposition accuse the government of the killings, Damascus blames ''outlaws, saboteurs and armed terrorist groups'' for the unrest that erupted in mid-March, insisting that it is being orchestrated from abroad.
In interviews with Israeli news outlets over the past few months, the Syrian opposition members have clearly expressed their vision for the future of Syria and their interest in establishing ties with the Tel Aviv regime.
However, Syrian people have repeatedly expressed solidarity with the government. Figures show that during the past weeks, about 12 million people have demonstrated in support of al-Assad.
PressTV
