Syrian opposition group: Death toll tops 17,000

BEIRUT | An opposition group that documents human rights violations in Syria says more than 17,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar Assad began in March 2011.

In this citizen journalism image provided by Shaam News Network SNN, taken on Monday, July 4, 2012, Free Syrian Army soldiers pray at the northern town of Sarmada, in Idlib province, Syria. Syria’s military began large-scale exercises simulating defense against outside “aggression,” the state-run news agency said Sunday an apparent warning to other countries not to intervene in the country’s crisis. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network, SNN)THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

This citizen journalism image provided by Shaam News Network SNN, taken on Monday, July 4, 2012, purports to show a Free Syrian Army soldier aiming his weapon in the northern town of Sarmada, in Idlib province, Syria. Syria’s military began large-scale exercises simulating defense against outside “aggression,” the state-run news agency said Sunday an apparent warning to other countries not to intervene in the country’s crisis. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network, SNN)THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

FILE – In this Saturday, June 30, 2012 file photo, Kofi Annan, Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the Arab League for Syria speaks during a news conference following the Action Group on Syria meeting in the Palace of Nations, at the United Nations’ Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. International envoy Kofi Annan says he has agreed with President Bashar Assad on an approach to end the violence in Syria. Annan did not disclose details, but says he will also discuss it with the country’s armed opposition. Annan spoke to reporters in the Syrian capital Monday following a two-hour meeting with Assad in a last-ditch attempt to salvage a peace effort.(AP Photo/Martial Trezzini, Keystone, File)

The violence has grown increasingly chaotic in recent months, and it is difficult to assign blame for much of the bloodshed as the country spirals toward civil war.

The government restricts journalists from moving freely, making it impossible to independently verify death tolls.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Monday that among the 17,129 deaths are 11,897 civilians, 4,348 soldiers and 884 military defectors.

The group has a network of activists on the ground who document deaths and rights violations through eyewitness, accounts, hospitals and video footage.

Another group, the Local Coordination Committees, says 14,841 civilians have been killed.