Bashar Al-Assad's Family Tried to Flee Syria - Report

A handout photograph released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) shows Syrian President Bashar al-Assad delivering a speech at Damascus University, Damascus, Syria, 10 January 2012. EPA/BGNES

Key family members of Syria's embattled dictator Bashar Al-Assad made an unsuccessful attempt to flee the country, according to media reports.

Syrian anti-government forces have told an Egyptian newspaper that Al-Assad's wife Asma, her children, the dictator's mother and one of his nephews tried to escape from the country late on Sunday.

According to the opposition, Bashar Al-Assad's family members were detected in a convoy heading to the airport in Damascus.

There was a heavy exchange of fire, which prevented the family's escape, who then returned to the presidential palace, The Jerusalem Post reports, citing Al-Masry-Al-Youm.

There has been no word from the Syrian authorities on the incident.

On Monday, the heavy clashes between the Syrian army and rebel forces continued around Damascus.

The United Nations estimates that more than 5,000 people have been killed during the 10-month-long crackdown on anti-government dissenters.

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