NATIONAL SECURITY

Fighting Continues in Syria, Despite Holiday Truce

Updated: October 28, 2012 | 9:04 a.m.
October 28, 2012 | 8:51 a.m.

Government and rebel forces continued fighting in Syria on Sunday, despite a previously agreed upon truce for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, the Associated Press reports.

The United Nations, and even countries like China, gave the truce its blessing. But it has failed to take hold, as over 150 people were killed on Friday and another 120 on Saturday, the Associated Press reported. President Bashar al-Assad's forces shelled suburbs of Damascus, and there were reports that fighter jets attacked rebels.

Both sides are accusing the other of breaking the initial truce, brokered by international mediator Lakhdar Brahimi, though some rebel groups rejected the truce from the start. Monday is the last day of the holiday.

Since the start of the conflict 19 months ago, more than 35,000 people have been killed.

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