At Least 23 People Killed Nationwide in Syrian Offensive

Tanks Attack City of Homs, State Media Claims Clash With 'Insurgents'

At least 23 people were reported killed today across Syria, including 21 people in the city of Homs, according to human rights officials. The toll came largely as a result of the latest tank offensive against the key protest city.

Syria’s state media, as it is wont to do, instead presented the deaths in Syria as a result of clashes with “insurgents,” claiming eight soldiers were killed and five insurgents. They also broadcast a confession of a “terrorist” who took credit for the attacks in Homs.

Communications was cut across much of Homs in the wake of the latest offensive, but reports had heavy gunfire in the marketplace and growing numbers of troops in the streets.

In addition, two protesters were reported killed in the northern town of Sarameen, the victims of military raids against the protest movement there. Reports also had reports of gunfire against protesters attempting to flee to neighboring Turkey.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.