In what would be the bloodiest incident since the violent crackdown in Syria by the ruling regime of Bashar al-Assad began, opposition activists in Hama province claim that more than 220 civilians were killed by forces loyal to the government in an air and ground raid on Thursday.

The village of Taramseh was first fired on by helicopters and tanks before militiamen invaded and began killing people in close combat, as Reuters was told in a statement by Revolution Leadership Council of Hama. Other activists in the area spoke about bodies already being gathered at a mosque and entire families being killed trying to flee the attack.

As Syria is one of the most restricted countries in the world for journalists, there has been no independent confirmation yet of this alleged massacre. According to the Guardian, Syrian state television reported the deaths of three security officers in Hama and blamed terrorists for events in the village.

Thursday's violence comes in the wake of former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan returning from a trip through the Middle East in an attempt to arrange a cease-fire, without which, Annan warns of "clear consequences."

Russia and China, both of which have done extensive business with Syria, have been the main forces blocking a more forceful international directive in Syria. As Reuters reports, Russia reiterated its opposition Thursday to a plan that would open the door to economic sanctions and possible military intervention, preferring to extend the current and much more limited UN monitoring mission.

 

See more of Neon Tommy's coverage of Syria here.

Reach Executive Producer Matt Pressberg here.