UN raises death toll in Syria unrest to 2,900

Names of dead have all been confirmed and likely include some members of security forces; figure represents an increase of at least 200 since the beginning of September

Associated Press|Published: 10.06.11 , 15:34

The UN's human rights office has raised its tally of people killed during seven months of unrest in Syria to over 2,900.

A spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights says the figure is based on "reliable sources" inside and outside the country.

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The spokesman, Rupert Colville, said Thursday that the names of the dead have all been confirmed and likely include some members of the security forces.

Taking cover in Hama, Syria (Photo: Reuters)

The figure represents an increase of at least 200 since the beginning of September.

Since mid-March, Bashar Assad's regime in Syria has cracked down on protesters leading movements similar to those that have ousted other Arab autocrats this year.

On Monday, an activist said Syrian troops going house to house have detained more than 3,000 people in three days in a rebellious town that government forces recently retook in some of the worst fighting since the country's uprising began six months ago.

He said the detainees were being held at a cement factory, as well as some schools and the Sports Club, a massive four-story compound.

On Tuesday, Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that threatened sanctions against Syria if it didn't immediately halt its military crackdown against civilians.

European members of the Security Council tried to avoid a veto by watering down the language on sanctions three times, but they failed.

Roee Nahmias contributed to the report