Syria using Iranian snipers as violent crackdown continues

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Syria using Iranian snipers as violent crackdown continues

Published Date: 16 August 2011
By Rob Crilly
in Yayladagi, Turkey

IRANIAN snipers are being used in Syria to put down the growing tide of demonstrations against president Bashar al-Assad, claims a member of the regime's secret police who has fled to Turkey.

The 25-year-old officer offered a detailed account of increasingly brutal tactics used by security forces to end the five-month uprising, including parading women naked through the streets and shoot-to-kill orders against unarmed protesters.

He said he had beaten prisoners and shot at protesters in Dasmascus. At times during the past two months he was aware of Iranian troops operating alongside his team in the Syrian capital.

Speaking in Yayladagi, the nearest town to the refugee camp where he now lives, he said: "We knew they were from Iran because we were not allowed to speak to them and they were kept well away from us. When we had operated with the Syrian army we would always mix with them and chat."

His account confirms other reports that Syria has turned to its closest ally for help - including training and military hardware - in putting down the protests directed at the Assad family's four decades in power.

Gee. Really? 

Surprised? Nah..........