'Armed gangs' blocked medical access ...

(AFP) - DAMASCUS — Armed gangs were responsible for preventing injured security forces victims of pro-reform protests receiving medical treatment, Syrian authorities said on Wednesday."Certain media have compiled baseless accusations saying the Syrian authorities prevented the injured from going to hospital for treatment," an Interior Ministry statement said.

 

"It was armed men who prevented ambulances carrying 34 wounded policemen to hospital in Daraa on April 8," the statement continued, referring to the southern flashpoint which has been the epicentre of anti-regime demonstration. The statement echoed a previous ministry communique on Sunday in which it said: "Armed gangs blocked the road in Banias (in the northwest) to prevent ambulances getting to military wounded and taking them to hospital.".."