26 regime supporters killed in Syria ambush: watchdog

BEIRUT - Agence France-Presse

AFP Photo

At least 26 regime supporters were killed in an ambush in the northern province of Aleppo on Friday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

"At least 26 supporters of the regime -- believed to be militiamen -- were shot dead in the west of the province of Aleppo," the watchdog said, adding that regime forces have shelled villages in the area for several weeks.
 
Amateur video posted on YouTube and distributed by the Observatory showed piles of mangled bodies of young men, their clothing soaked in blood. At least two of the bodies in the footage were wearing fatigues.
 
"These are shabiha (militiamen) of Bashar al-Assad's regime," the narrator said, withiout identifying himself.
 
State television said "armed terrorist groups have committed a barbaric massacre, killing more than 25 people." They were "shot" and their bodies "mutilated," it said, adding that others were kidnapped and their fate remains unknown.
 
More than 15,000 people have been killed since the revolt against Assad's rule erupted in March last year, according to the Observatory's figures.