Pro-Assad election campaigners struck by mortar attack; 21 reported killed

DAMASCUS, Syria, May 23 (UPI) -- A pro-Assad election tent in the southern city of Daraa was the target of a mortar strike on Friday, with at least 21 people reported killed.

Opposition activist Qaisar Habib, who the New York Times says is close to al-Qaida affiliated Nusra Front, defended the targeted attack on the election tent in the government-controlled part of the city as a "legitimate target for our fire" because pro-government militia are organizing President Bashar al-Assad's election campaign.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 21 dead, including 11 civilians, six pro-government militia members, and four unidentified people.

Friday's mortar strike against appears to be the first such election-related attack by anti-Assad forces.

The presidential election is scheduled for June 3.