Text message warning to Syrian rebels

President Bashar al-Assad's regime has sent text messages to mobile phones across Syria with a warning for the rebels: "Game over."

The messages signed by the Syrian Arab Army urge the rebels to surrender their weapons and warn that the countdown to evict foreign fighters has begun.

The texts are part of the regime's psychological warfare – army helicopters also dropped leaflets warning rebels in Damascus to hand over their arms and seek amnesty last month.

Syrians say they began receiving the messages a day after rebels bombed a military command centre in Damascus – a major security breach.

AP