Unidentified individuals tear Assad’s photos in Hama
HAMA, Syria (North Press) – The city of Hama, central Syria, has witnessed intensive deployment of the Syrian security forces following the destruction of a photo of Syrian President Bashar Assad by unidentified individuals.
Hilal Murad (a pseudonym), a resident of Hama, told North Press that heavy gunfire was observed on Saturday evening near the cotton mill in Ain al-Loza neighborhood, followed by intensive deployments of the security forces and military police.
“A police car stopped at Ain al-Loza roundabout amid intensive spread of foot security men and informants after the tearing of Assad’s photo on the wall of cotton mill by unidentified persons,” he added.
The unidentified people ran away without being caught by the security forces, according to Murad.
Local source Hussam al-Jamal (a pseudonym) said, “heavy gunfire broke out on Thursday near al-Muzrab Bridge at the northern entrance to Hama for that reason.”
The government members set up a mobile checkpoint of the Political Security at al-Muzrab Bridge in addition to the previously existing checkpoint, which is considered one of the worst checkpoints, al-Jamal described.
He pointed out that the checkpoint was provided with additional weapons and searching all passers-by and cars.
He said that the government posted banners and pictures in all main streets and neighborhoods in Hama and forced students and employees to march in support of Assad.
The presidential elections are scheduled to take place on May 26, with Bashar Assad expected to win, amid great economic and living deterioration in the Syrian government-held areas.