Dozens of Syria military commanders 'ordered killings'

Dozens of Syrian military commanders and officials authorised or gave direct orders for widespread killings, torture and illegal arrests during the wave of anti-government protests that began nine months ago, Human Rights Watch said today.

The 88-page report by the New York-based group, entitled 'By All Means Necessary!: Individual and Command Responsibility for Crimes against Humanity in Syria', is based on more than 60 interviews with defectors from the Syrian military and intelligence agencies.