BEIRUT (AP) — Armed men killed 120 Syrian security forces and torched government buildings Monday in a northern region where troops have unleashed deadly assaults on protesters for days, Syria said. The government vowed to respond “decisively,” hinting at an even more brutal crackdown by a regime known for ruthlessly crushing dissent.
If confirmed, the attack in the north would be a turning point in what so far has largely been a peaceful uprising threatening the 40-year rule of President Bashar Assad and his family.
Opposition activists were skeptical of the official casualty toll, saying the authorities were setting the stage for a new onslaught. But even they acknowledged there was fighting, although it was not clear who was involved.
Communications were cut to the area around Jisr al-Shughour on Monday and the details of the attack were impossible to verify, but there have been unconfirmed reports by activists and residents in the past of Syrians and even mutinous troops fighting back against security forces.
Adnan Mahmoud, the chief government spokesman, acknowledged that Syrian forces had lost control of some areas for “intermittent periods of time” and said residents had appealed to the army to do what was necessary to restore security.
“We will deal strongly and decisively, and according to the law, and we will not be silent about any armed attack that targets the security of the state and its citizens,” said Interior Minister Ibrahim Shaar.
The surprisingly high death toll among pro-regime troops would suggest some sort of major lashback against the crackdown against the uprising — though by whom was unknown because of the seal over the area. Regardless of who carried out Monday’s attack, it shows new cracks in a rule that has held out through weekly protests of thousands of people.
Human rights activist Mustafa Osso said there were unconfirmed reports of a few soldiers who switched sides and were defending themselves against attacking security forces, but he said the reports suggest the mutiny is limited and “does not pose a threat to the unity of the army yet.”
A Syrian activist speaking on condition of anonymity said there were unconfirmed reports of infighting between security forces. “The situation is very foggy, it is unclear who is doing the shooting, but the situation is very serious and appears to be getting out of control,” he said on condition of anonymity.
Before Monday’s killings, the government and some human rights groups have said more than 160 soldiers and security forces had died in the uprising. The latest deaths marked by far the deadliest single strike against them.
The government’s unusual admission of the death toll and loss of control appeared to set the stage for an even stronger action to crush a popular uprising that began in mid-March and poses a potent threat to the Assad regime.
State television added the armed groups carried out a “real massacre,” mutilating some bodies and throwing others in the Orontes River.
Jisr al-Shughour, about 12 miles (20 kilometers) from the Turkish border, has been the latest focus of Syria’s military, whose nationwide crackdown on the revolt has left more than 1,200 Syrians dead, activists say. The town was a stronghold of the country’s banned Muslim Brotherhood in the 1980s. Human rights groups said at least 42 civilians have been killed there since Saturday.
Syria’s government has a history of violent retaliation against dissent, including a three-week bombing campaign against the city of Hama that crushed an uprising there in 1982. Jisr al-Shughour itself came under government shelling in 1980, with a reported 70 people killed.
Assad’s decision to allow pro-Palestinian protesters to storm the Israeli border twice in recent weeks indicates he may be trying to deflect focus from a serious crisis at home, and possibly divert international attention from a new crackdown. State television broadly carried Sunday’s protest at the Golan Heights to the south frontier, which left as many as 23 people dead in fighting with Israeli forces, but it has not carried any footage of the protest, crackdown or ambush at the northern edge of Syria.
Monday’s state television report said the officers were ambushed as they responded to calls from residents for protection from the armed groups. It said 20 policemen were initially killed, and then the groups blew up a post office and attacked a security post, killing other forces.
The report said the armed groups were hiding in homes and firing at security forces and civilians alike, using residents as human shields.
The TV reports could not be independently confirmed. The Syrian government has severely restricted the media and expelled foreign reporters, making it nearly impossible to independently verify events.
Details of the operations in Jisr al-Shughour and nearby Khan Sheikhoun have been sketchy and attempts to reach residents of the town were unsuccessful.
Ahead of Monday’s report, another activist said gunmen had successfully kept security forces out of the area, but he had no details. Fearing retaliation, the activist requested anonymity.
A prominent activist in touch with a resident of Jisr al-Shughour said: “There are dozens of people killed and they are a mix of civilians, police and security forces in the past 24 hours.
“There are reports that security forces took a beating and there is armed resistance keeping them on the edges of the town,” he said.
Amnesty International criticized Syria’s “brutal treatment of protesters” and called on the UN Security Council to condemn the killings and refer Syria to the International Criminal Court.
“Those responsible for the brutal crackdown of pro-reform protesters must no longer be allowed to get away with murder,” Philip Luther, Amnesty’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in a statement Monday.
LAS VEGAS – Sept. 25, 2013 – When Lexus launched in 1989, its vehicles were synonymous with luxury, refinement and craftsmanship. Almost 25 years later, the brand has evolved and evokes more emotion throughout its product line-up. For those enthusiasts who want an even higher level of engagement, three different levels of F SPORT performance are available.
Lexus offers factory-engineered performance in three ways: Through stand-alone models—IS F and LFA; factory-tuned F SPORT models—CT 200h , IS 250/350C, IS 250/350, GS 350, LS 460, RX 350; and F SPORT Performance Accessories—individual performance and appearance upgrades for select models.
The “F” has signified specially designed vehicles with high-output powertrains and unique development processes. It represents vehicles that followed a unique path and different standards. When the Lexus brand was first conceived, the project was internally known as “Circle F.” Lexus’ first car, the LS sedan, was known as “F1” for Flagship One.
Like the “F” heritage, the IS F and LFA also fell outside of the normal engineering and development processes. The IS F performance sedan and LFA supercar offer Lexus’ highest factory-engineered performance possible.
The IS F was the first Lexus to wear the “F” marque and feature an eight-speed direct sport-shift transmission when it launched in 2008 model year. Its 5.0-liter V8 engine delivers 416 horsepower and impressive handling on both road and track.
To further differentiate itself within the IS line-up, the high performance sedan has wider fenders to fit the largest wheels and tires of any Lexus sedan. The IS F rolls on 19-inch forged aluminum BBS wheels (19x8.5 front and 19x9.5 rear) and either Bridgestone Potenza or Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires (225/40R19 front and 225/35R19 rear). Four vertically stacked exhaust diffusers also make the IS F visually unmistakable.
Like the IS F, much of the LFA development took place on the track. The 2012 LFA can tackle the Nürburgring Nordschleife just as easily as it does city streets with its dynamic balance and lightweight carbon fiber construction. The LFA team developed its own carbon fiber reinforced plastic processes internally for quality control. Master craftsmen or “takumi” assembled 500 units by hand for global distribution.
Its remarkable exhaust note, tuned by Yamaha and inspired by Formula 1, sings with exuberance. Large diameter exhaust manifolds enhance the sound quality before it exits through the striking tri-outlet exhaust outlets.
The LFA uses carbon ceramic brake rotors to reduce weight and brake fade. Featuring 15.4-inch diameter front discs and 14.2-inch diameter rear discs, the LFA has impressive stopping power. It also features Lexus’ first shoulder belt SRS airbag system.
Lexus offered the LFA Nürburgring edition for LFA enthusiasts who wanted more performance. This edition provided 10 additional horsepower, a reduction of gear-shift time by 0.05 seconds, an enhanced sport-tuned suspension, exclusive black mesh-type wheels and dedicated high grip tires, and a larger front spoiler and fixed rear wing for improved high speed down force.
Lexus’ enthusiasm for performance is seen throughout the F SPORT vehicle line up—CT 200h premium hybrid compact, IS 250/350 sport sedan, IS 250/350C hardtop convertible, GS 350 luxury sedan, LS 460 flagship luxury sedan and RX 350 luxury utility vehicle. Lexus F SPORT vehicles offer luxury with a more aggressive edge.
The primary distinction for F SPORT vehicles is their factory-installed chassis. Suspension calibrations give the vehicles sharper handling and feel. These F SPORT models have aggressive exterior styling and sporty interior trim thanks to factory-installed appearance enhancements. Although each F SPORT model has distinct wheels and grilles, F SPORT packages vary according to model. The RX 350 F SPORT includes driveline enhancements for improved performance.
F SPORT Performance Accessories are also available for the IS C convertible and previous generation IS and GS sedans, and will be offered soon for the current generation IS and GS sedan. Individual performance and appearance parts allow drivers to upgrade their vehicle step-by-step with the confidence of a factory warranty. F SPORT Performance Accessories including springs, shocks, sway bars, brake components, and intake and exhaust systems, are engineered and tested to the same
Regardless of the level of performance Lexus owners seek, their desires can be realized. Whether it’s a high-performance F model, a factory F SPORT package, or the addition of F SPORT accessories, Lexus offers something for every Lexus enthusiast.
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Ready for another tutorial? This week we are going to going to learn how to crochet a treble crochet, also sometimes called a triple crochet. If you mastered the double crochet, you already have the know how for this stitch. The treble crochet (tr in […]
Want something that reminds you of warm days at the beach? The Ocean Waves scarf is just the accessory for you, and as always it’s a free pattern! I sat down to create this lovely wanting to do something very chic and different with the […]
Want to learn a new stitch? If you’ve mastered the half double crochet, the double crochet (reads as dc in patterns) is not much harder. Just an extra step. It makes a taller stitch, and this is a stitch you will see used everywhere. If I’m […]
It’s time for another Crochet for Beginners tutorial! I wasn’t sure when I started this series that I’d enjoy writing how to posts, but I am excited every time I sit down to write one. Today, I’m going to teach you the half double crochet. […]
Today I’m going to show you how to crochet slip stitch. This is an essential stitch in crochet, as it’s used to join rounds, to create a ring, in amigurumi, to create granny squares and about a dozen other things. In crochet, this is […]
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