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Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/02/us-syria-crisis-shabbiha-idUSBRE8610N620120702
Syria's Paramilitary Gangs a Law unto Themselves
(Reuters) When members of Syria's shabiha paramilitary gangs strut into a shop, shoppers shrink back and staff rush to serve them. Opponents of the government say the shabiha were created by the secret intelligence apparatus of the Assad police state, ready to do the dirty work. Shabiha leaders now have a constant supply of income from raiding and looting rebellious areas and can easily buy more weapons and ammunition. In Hom's Zahra neighborhood, Murad holds court with his group of 30 men cradling rifles. A hulking former prison inmate, he says he now works closely with the security forces and has spies planted among the rebels.