Watch: Teen who documented Syria clashes shot dead

Family says Basel al-Sid shot in the head last week during attacks by forces loyal to Assad on residents of Homs neighborhood

Roi Kais|Published: 01.02.12 , 22:51

A teenager who documented the fierce clashes between residents of the Baba Amro neighborhood in Homs and security forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad was killed last week, Ynet reported Monday.

According to the testimonies of opposition activists and family members, Basel al-Sid, who would film the attacks on the neighborhoods residents and then load the footage onto YouTube, died on December 27 from a gunshot to the head.

'Basel al-Sid, we will never forget you'

A number of clips documenting al-Sids death have been posted on the web. In the videos, gunshots can be heard while people yell "allahu akbar (god is great)." Another clip, posted Sunday, shows residents of the neighborhood chanting "Basel al-Sid, we will never forget you." The video was apparently shot after the teen's funeral.

Basel's final moments

Meanwhile, opposition sources were quoted as saying that a delegation of anti-Assad activists were in Tehran to discuss the Syrian opposition's policies. The sources told an opposition website that the visit was coordinated with Iranian authorities, this following speculation that the Islamic Republic is considering the possibility of severing ties with Assad, a close ally.

Earlier Monday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said army defectors attacked two military posts in that province, capturing a number of security forces. The rebels also clashed with soldiers at a third post, and there were casualties, the observatory said. The exact number of those captured and killed was not immediately available.

Later, the head of the Arab League said Syrian security forces are still killing anti-government protesters despite the presence of foreign monitors in the country.

"Yes, there is still shooting and yes there are still snipers," Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby told a news conference in Cairo. "Yes, killings continue. The objective is for us to wake up in the morning and hear that no one is killed. The mission's philosophy is to protect civilians, so if one is killed, then our mission is incomplete."

"There must be a complete ceasefire," Elaraby said.

He stressed the achievements of the Arab League mission, saying Syria's government has pulled tanks and artillery from cities and residential neighborhoods and freed some 3,500 prisoners. He said food supplies have reached residents and the bodies of dead protesters have been recovered.