Anonymous Hacks Syrian Defense Ministry Website, Says ‘Tyrants Will Fall’

The group of hackers known as Anonymous has claimed taking over the Syrian government Ministry of Defense website publishing on it a message in support for the Syrian people.

Visitors to the Syrian military department's website have been greeted with the Anonymous logo and images and links to videos of dead protesters hours after activists said on Sunday that security forces backed by tanks killed scores of civilians in the eastern city of Deir al-Zour and the central town of Hula.

The hackers replaced the traditional Syrian flag on the defense ministry website http://mod.gov.sy/ with the Anonymous logo and a message below in Arabic and English, saying the following:

“To the Syrian people: The world stands with you against the brutal regime of Bashar al-Assad. Know that time and history are on your side – tyrants use violence because they have nothing else, and the more violent they are, the more fragile they become. We salute your determination to be non-violent in the face of the regime’s brutality, and admire your willingness to pursue justice, not mere revenge. All tyrants will fall, and thanks to your bravery Bashar al-Assad is next.”

The message displayed on the website held the army responsible for protecting the Syrian people, urging it to defend the country and “rise” against the regime.

“Anyone who orders you to kill women, children, and the elderly deserves to be tried for treason,” Anonymous said.

It added: “No outside enemy could do as much damage to Syria as Bashar Al-Assad has done.”

Scrolling across the top of the website are links to videos illustrating the unrest, deaths and civil injustice in the country.

Furthermore, at the foot of the website are a number of links to protest group websites, Facebook pages and Twitter profiles all campaigning against the actions of Assad and the military.

Anonymous is a loosely organized group of hackers. It has claimed responsibility for attacks against corporate and government websites worldwide.