Ambush in Syria leaves 175 rebels dead

Syrian state television (SANA) reported 175 people were killed in a regime-led ambush at the entrance of the Eastern Ghouta, an opposition stronghold east of the Syrian capital, Damascus. The area is also known for being targeted by government forces in a chemical attack in August 2013 which killed hundreds of people.

According to The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based information office, "Dozens of Islamist fighters were killed and wounded in an ambush by loyalist troops, with the help of Hezbollah, near the village of Otaybeh in Eastern Ghouta."

SANA also reported the attack mostly targeted al-Qaedalinked al-Nusra Front fighters and fighters with the al-Islam Brigade, adding that several of those killed were foreign fighters who came to Syria from Saudi Arabia, Chechnya and Qatar.

SANA posted several photographs on its website showing dozens of bodies of men lying in a dirt track of an open field, some wearing fatigues, but most wearing civilian clothes.

Some appeared to have been carrying bags of clothes and bottles of water which were scattered on the ground, suggesting they were on the move when they were ambushed.

The Observatory also said that the number of those killed likely will rise as 89 rebels have been reported missing. This would be one of the deadliest attacks by government forces against rebels in the area, if confirmed.



Daily Sabah