On patrol with Free Syrian Army
On patrol in the western border town of Zabadani with members of the Free Syria Army.
Their faces covered in balaclavas, and assault rifles in their hands - these opposition soldiers say they're here to protect the town from government forces.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MEMBER OF THE FREE SYRIAN ARMY, SAYING:
"We are the members of the free army here in Zabadani to protect residents God willing, and God is with us to protect them against the blasphemous army, the Assad army. We have a funeral every day, every day."
The fighter says Assad's forces have attacked the area with tanks.
(SOUNDBITE) (MEMBER OF THE FREE SYRIAN ARMY, SAYING:
"Yesterday they hit six houses in Madaya, they destroyed the buildings in Madaya yesterday. Every day they are destroying homes, they have brought in tanks from the mountains and they are attacking us from all sides. But God willing, this area, they will not be able to enter it again as long as we are breathing."
The Free Syrian Army is an umbrella group comprised of defectors that formed several months ago.
Army deserters have carried out a wave of attacks on military targets, raising the prospect of the mainly peaceful protests against Assad being eclipsed by an insurgency that could tip Syria towards civil war.
Travis Brecher, Reuters
Their faces covered in balaclavas, and assault rifles in their hands - these opposition soldiers say they're here to protect the town from government forces.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MEMBER OF THE FREE SYRIAN ARMY, SAYING:
"We are the members of the free army here in Zabadani to protect residents God willing, and God is with us to protect them against the blasphemous army, the Assad army. We have a funeral every day, every day."
The fighter says Assad's forces have attacked the area with tanks.
(SOUNDBITE) (MEMBER OF THE FREE SYRIAN ARMY, SAYING:
"Yesterday they hit six houses in Madaya, they destroyed the buildings in Madaya yesterday. Every day they are destroying homes, they have brought in tanks from the mountains and they are attacking us from all sides. But God willing, this area, they will not be able to enter it again as long as we are breathing."
The Free Syrian Army is an umbrella group comprised of defectors that formed several months ago.
Army deserters have carried out a wave of attacks on military targets, raising the prospect of the mainly peaceful protests against Assad being eclipsed by an insurgency that could tip Syria towards civil war.
Travis Brecher, Reuters
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