Report: Syrian Army on Standby to Defend Damascus against Rebel Attacks

The Syrian army is on standby to defend the capital Damascus against possible attacks by the western-backed rebels, the state-run media said Wednesday.

A military source was quoted by al-Watan newspaper as saying Damascus “is safe and will remain safe thanks to the thousands of army soldiers who are safeguarding it.”

The remarks came as the rebels intensified their mortar attacks on several parts of the capital, hitting schools, universities, marketplaces and other sectors and killing many people, Xinhua reported.

“We have repeatedly warned the terrorist groups against inching toward Damascus because that would mean their deaths along with their leaders,” according to the paper.

Despite those warnings, there have been several infiltration attempts from different directions which have all been foiled, added the paper.

It lamented the incidents that cost the lives of civilians and said the Syrian army was working to deter the reoccurrence of such incidents.

“Damascus will stay safe and there is no reason for panic because the troops are in positions and have enough capabilities, experiences and courage to defeat the terrorists,” the paper concluded.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border guards being reported across the country.

Hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have been killed, when some protest rallies turned into armed clashes.

The government blames outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups for the deaths, stressing that the unrest is being orchestrated from abroad.