BICOM

A number of Syrian troops have been shot for refusing to fire on protestors in the town of Banias in the last few days, according to statements made by eyewitnesses. Two of the soldiers have been named. They are Mourad Hejjo and Mohammed Awad Qunbar. There have also been reports that protestors may have used firearms in defence against the army, leading to other deaths. Syrian official media reported earlier this week that nine soldiers had been killed by an unidentified armed group. Five protestors are reported to have been killed in the Banias area since Sunday. Violence is continuing in the coastal cities of Banias and Latakia. Irregular pro-government militias known as ‘Shabeeha’ are reported to be playing an important role in the violence.

The reports that soldiers have been refusing to fire on protestors will be of considerable concern to the Syrian authorities. As the protests continue to spread, maintaining the loyalty of the security forces is a matter of paramount importance for the regime.