Syrian forces moved into the main square in central Hama yesterday after bombing the city heavily. The move was intended to take control of the site that is home to some of the most vocal and largest protests against President Bashar al-Assad. According to those who witnessed the events yesterday, more than 90 people have been killed in Hama since violence broke out last Sunday in an attempt to tame the city. It is the same site where in 1982 a massacre of anti-government rebels took place.The United Nations security council roundly condemned the move, though no specific plan was put forth to deal with the situation. The push into the center of the city occurred simultaneously with the beginning of the trial of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarek. Said a resident of Hama of the result of the attacks, "All communications have been cut off. The regime is using the media focus on the Hosni Mubarak trial to finish off Hama." The same local man said military units, backed up by tanks and paratroopers, moved into the city center and were also joined by local militia known as "shabbiha."
In the U.S., President Obama left no doubt as to his opinion on the matter. White House spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement that "Syria would be a better place without President Assad." In Turkey, where government officials have grown relatively close to Assad in recent years, a condemnation was forthcoming as well, as Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Arinc Bulent said, "I’m saying this on my behalf, what’s going on in Hama today is an atrocity. Whoever carries this out can’t be our friend. They are making a big mistake."
