United Nations observers succeeded in entering the Syrian town of al-Haffeh on Thursday to verify Opposition claims that dozens were massacred there by Syrian security forces and allied militia last week, following several failed attempts.
The U.N. Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) reported that the town appeared deserted, with many buildings burned down and the "strong stench of dead bodies" pervading the air.
The U.N. mission had been impeded from reaching the town in recent days because of raging violence. When they finally reached the site, most government institutions were found smoldering in fire, stores looted and burned and residential homes appeared rummaged.
"A strong stench of dead bodies was in the air and there appeared to be pockets in the town where fighting is still ongoing. The number of casualties is still unclear," UNSMIS spokesperson Sausan Ghosheh was quoted as saying in a U.N. press release.
The observers also found that the Baath Party headquarters in the town was shelled and appeared to be the site of heavy fighting. Remnants of heavy weapons and a range of different caliber arms were found in the town. Cars, both civilian and security, were also found torched.
"UNSMIS is deeply concerned about the escalating level of violence in Syria and calls on all parties to put down their weapons and choose the path of non-violence for the welfare of the Syrian people who have suffered enough," Ghosheh added.
According to the U.N., more than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Syria and tens of thousands displaced since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011. But the Opposition claims that the actual death toll is much higher. Notably, the Assad government continues to blame "armed terrorist gangs" backed by Islamists and foreign mercenaries for the violence.
Some 300 U.N. monitors are currently in Syria to observe the implementation of a six-point peace plan proposed by U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan for resolving the crisis. But Syrian rebel groups say they will no longer honor the earlier agreed ceasefire under Annan's plan, citing continued killings of civilians by Syrian security forces.
Annan's peace plan calls for an end to violence, access for humanitarian agencies to provide relief to those in need, release of detainees, the start of inclusive political dialogue that takes into account the aspirations of the Syrian people, and unrestricted access to the country for the international media.
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