Syrian activists say rebels have killed at least 21 people at a campaign rally for President Bashar al-Assad in the southern city of Daraa.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the rebels shelled a tent where Assad's supporters had gathered late Thursday.
The Observatory's Rami Abd al-Rahman told VOA the victims include both civilians and pro-Assad militiamen.
"Twenty-one were killed. At least 11 of them are civilians. One of them was a child under 18. The other 10, six of them were (pro-regime fighters) and four of them we don't know if they were civilians or (pro-regime fighters)," said al-Rahman.
The London-based monitoring group, which relies on a network of opposition activists, said about 30 people were seriously wounded.
Rahman said he expects more attacks on campaign events as the June 3 election draws closer. Campaigning began earlier this month.
Assad is expected to easily beat his two little-known challengers and win a third term.
The Syrian opposition and many Western countries view the election as illegitimate and have vowed not to respect the results.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the rebels shelled a tent where Assad's supporters had gathered late Thursday.
The Observatory's Rami Abd al-Rahman told VOA the victims include both civilians and pro-Assad militiamen.
"Twenty-one were killed. At least 11 of them are civilians. One of them was a child under 18. The other 10, six of them were (pro-regime fighters) and four of them we don't know if they were civilians or (pro-regime fighters)," said al-Rahman.
The London-based monitoring group, which relies on a network of opposition activists, said about 30 people were seriously wounded.
Rahman said he expects more attacks on campaign events as the June 3 election draws closer. Campaigning began earlier this month.
Assad is expected to easily beat his two little-known challengers and win a third term.
The Syrian opposition and many Western countries view the election as illegitimate and have vowed not to respect the results.
