Group: Syrian Missiles Kill At Least 141 In Aleppo

AP via Yahoo News ^ | 26 Feb 2013 | Barbara Surk

[edpc]

BEIRUT (AP) — At least 141 people, half of them children, were killed when the Syrian military fired at least four missiles into the northern province of Aleppo last week, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday.

The international rights group said the strikes hit residential areas and called them an "escalation of unlawful attacks against Syria's civilian population." The statement from the New York-based group followed a visit to the area by a HRW researcher.

[edpc]

"The extent of the damage from a single strike, the lack of (military) aircraft in the area at the time, and reports of ballistic missiles being launched from a military base near Damascus overwhelmingly suggest that government forces struck these areas with ballistic missiles," the report said.

You can believe the missile defense radars in Israel and Turkey are fully aware of whether or not ballistic missiles are being used. You can also bet the Israelis are closely monitoring SCUD activity inside Syria.

[Truth29]

I am always amazed at the number of children and women alleged killed in these reports. None of the information from any side has any credibility and there is no independent means of verifying reports.

[edpc]

It would not surprise me at all. You would generally assume a couple things to be true: First, the fighting in and around Aleppo would leave few places for suitable refuge. Therefore, large groups would tend to gather where they could.

Also, Assad's forces likely would not use a volley of SCUDs or other ballistic weapons unless they believed they'd have an effect.

I am curious as to who is in charge of conducting these launches. Obviously, Assad is ultimately, but I am wondering if Hez crews are getting a bit of hands on with targeting and launching. Inflicting mass civilian casualties is their specialty. Possibly a warm-up act for targets to their SW.

[bramps]

I am curious as to who is in charge of conducting these launches.
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My instinct says that Obama’s evil hand is pulling many strings in Syria until he has his Muslim Brotherhood pals in charge.

[Chad_the_Impaler]

Also, Assad's forces likely would not use a volley of SCUDs or other ballistic weapons unless they believed they'd have an effect.

Panicking and scattering refugees in rebel areas would slow their operations.

[edpc]

That would be ultimately dependent on their goal. If they wanted to liquidate and destroy, you’re correct. If they wanted to render them disorganized and ineffective as a resisting force, it’s a great strategy.