Mood 'Deeply Disturbed' by Killings in Syria's Deir al-Zour
The U.N. observer mission chief in Syria, Major General Robert Mood, said on Wednesday he was "deeply disturbed" by the killing of 13 people in eastern Deir al-Zour, calling it an "appalling and inexcusable act."
"Thirteen bodies were discovered last night (Tuesday) in the area of Assukar, 50 km east of Deir al-Zour. All the bodies had their hands tied behind their backs and some appear to have been shot in the head from a short distance," Mood said in a statement.
The veteran Norwegian peacekeeper said he was "deeply disturbed by this appalling and inexcusable act."
The bodies were found days after at least 108 civilians were massacred in central Houla, including 49 children, sparking an international outcry and the expulsion of Syria's top envoys from several Western countries.
Most of the victims of the Houla massacre were summarily executed, the U.N. rights body said on Tuesday. Witnesses have told U.N. investigators that the majority of deaths were at the hands of a pro-government paramilitary group.
Rupert Colville, spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said preliminary figures showed that fewer than 20 of the 108 killings could be attributed to artillery and tank fire.
Source: Agence France Presse
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