Nightly News   |  August 05, 2011

Syrian crackdown intensifies

Despite international condemnation, the ruling regime in Syria has continued and intensified its crackdown against anti-government protestors in the city of Hama. NBC’s Martin Fletcher reports.

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LESTER HOLT, anchor: Overseas now, this has been one of the bloodiest, most violent weeks yet in Syria , where despite international condemnation, the ruling regime has continued and intensified its crackdown against anti-government protesters in the city of Hama . NBC 's Martin Fletcher has our report on Syrians under siege.

MARTIN FLETCHER reporting: With foreign journalists banned and local media muzzled, this is what the Syrian government does not want the world to know. It's the sixth day of a Syrian army assault against the town of Hama . Water, electricity, Internet and phones cut. Tanks in the city center . Thirteen people shot dead today, activists say. With reporters unable to work, these pictures are from protesters' cell phones, showing bodies dumped in the river. Around 2,000 citizens killed since March. Troops arresting people, more than 15,000 dissidents jailed according to Human Rights Watch . But the Syrian government is fighting back with pictures too, saying it's fighting against protesters with guns. It calls them armed terrorists. Whose pictures to believe? America has decided.

Secretary HILLARY CLINTON (Secretary of State): President Assad has lost his legitimacy to govern the Syrian people .

FLETCHER: Across Syria today, tens of thousands of Syrians rallied in support of the townspeople of Hama , calling on their president, " Assad , leave." No sign of that so far. Martin Fletcher , NBC News, London.

LESTER HOLT, anchor: And there was more heartbreaking news tonight from the Horn