US ambassador to Syria: ‘The regime cannot hide the truth’
Embassy releases satellite images questioning Assad's claims that he is removing forces from cities to comply with Annan plan
US Ambassador to Syria Robert Stephen Ford released US satellite images showing Syrian military deployment. Ford said the images showed “the truth behind Assad’s claims that he is removing his military forces from cities around the country.”
Images published on Facebook Friday evening indicate Assad has removed forces from places such as Da’el in Daraa province and Taftanaz in Idlib. But images of Homs and Zabadani show artillery units remained in close proximity to residential areas.
“This is not the reduction in offensive Syrian government security operations that all agree must be the first step for the Annan initiative to succeed,” wrote Ford.
Ford asserted that Assad should allow international journalists to enter the country freely so that they could verify the regime’s claims.
“In their absence, US and other governments have other means, including the satellites that took these images, of verifying the regime’s compliance or lack thereof. The regime and the Syrian people should know that we are watching. The regime cannot hide the truth.”