Syria said on Thursday army units have begun to leave Deraa, the heart of an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, but residents described a city still under siege. Soldiers also raided homes across the country as President Bashar al-Assad grappled with the most serious challenge of his 11-year authoritarian rule.
Assad ordered the army to enter Deraa 10 days ago. The city is the place where demonstrations calling for more freedoms and later for his overthrow started in March. Activists and residents said soldiers backed by tanks had shelled and machine-gunned the city's old quarter and rounded up people in mass arrests.
State news agency SANA quoted an official military source as saying the army had completed its mission, arresting elements of "terrorist" groups and restoring security, peace and stability. Two witnesses who were heading out of Deraa told Reuters that around 30 tanks on armoured carriers had left the city heading north, but that army units backed with armour remained deployed at several entrances. Residents in Deraa's Mahatta area said at least six tanks were deployed near government installations and public squares and snipers were poised atop a building near Tishrin Square.
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