Syria: 6 elite military pilots killed in ambush

[Bosonic]

Source: AP

BEIRUT (AP) — The Syrian armed forces say in a rare televised statement that six elite military pilots have been killed in an ambush.

Friday's statement said the attack happened the day before in Homs province and it marked a dangerous escalation in the conflict.

Syria is the scene of the deadliest crackdown against the Arab Spring's eruption of protests and international pressure has been mounting on President Bashar Assad to stop the bloodshed.

The statement warns Syria will "hit back" at any attempt to cause chaos.


Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Arab-League-Syria-misses-observer-deadline-2291894.php

[Bosonic]

1. Alternative article (now with unnamed foreign involvement)

Syrian army says 10 personnel killed in foreign-backed attack

BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Syrian military said on Friday that 10 air force personnel, including six pilots, were killed in an attack on a base and said the action proved foreign involvement in the eight-month revolt against President Bashar al-Assad's rule.

"An armed terrorist group undertook an evil assassination plot that martyred six pilots, a technical officer and three other personnel on an air force base between Homs and Palmyra," a military spokesman said on state television.

The attack took place on Thursday afternoon but the spokesman gave no other details about how the assault took place.

"This confirms the involvement of foreign elements and their support of these terrorist operations in an effort to weaken the fighting capabilities of our forces," he said.

http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-army-says-10-personnel-killed-foreign-backed-143854445.html