15 protesters killed in Syria

2011-03-24 03:10:12 GMT+7 (ICT)

DARAA, SYRIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least 15 people were killed on Wednesday in clashes between Syrian security forces and anti-government protesters in the city of Daraa, CNN reported.

According to activists and witnesses, seven people were killed after dawn prayers near al Omari mosque when security personnel stormed the area where protesters took positions to demand government reforms.

A witness said security forces shot into the crowd in front of the mosque before daybreak. Syrian state TV, however, said armed groups had attacked security forces, killing a doctor, a medical assistant and an ambulance driver.

Later, eight more people died when about 3,000 protesters gathering outside Daraa clashed with an army unit known for its loyalty to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The army unit is headed by a family member, Maher al-Assad, an opposition spokesman said.

Army tanks are positioned in the city, including near al Omari mosque, while mobile and regular telephone service from Daraa has been cut off, witnesses told CNN.

The violence comes a day after Syrian authorities arrested prominent rights leader Loay Hussein, a political prisoner from 1984 to 1991 who has been supporting protesters.

On Monday, protesters marched in Daraa after they buried the body of a protester who was killed Sunday in clashes between anti-government demonstrators and security forces. The protests on Sunday coincided with the visit of government officials, who arrived in Daraa to offer condolences to the families of the five protesters who were killed by security forces on Friday.

President al-Assad sacked the governor of Daraa in a bid to restore calm to the area amidst the ongoing anti-government protests, according to state media.

On Tuesday, the United Nations Human Rights office called for an investigation into the killings and condemned the use of excessive force.

At least 21 people have died in unrest since Friday. Protesters are demanding the ouster of President al-Assad, who took over the post from his father Hafez al-Assad in 2000, and greater freedoms. The country has been ruled by the Baath Party since 1963.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-03-24

Where for art thou peacenics? Had Israel done the same the thread would be pages long by now?

Edited March 24, 201115 yr by Steely Dan

I believe someone should be along shortly to expain these killings as a j inspired and controlled false flag operation.

Actually, I'm amazed Assad hasn't blamed the demonstrations on a Zionist plot seeing as a Mossad agent once got close to the Syrian defence minister.

^^

Nobody comes with excuses and tries to justify it? What a surprise.

Paranoia tom and apologists sid (god bless him) seeing ghosts, as always.

On Tuesday, the United Nations Human Rights office called for an investigation into the killings and condemned the use of excessive force.

Did you know that the United Nations Human Rights office is a central of anti-semites. At least according to some.

"The worst example of how the UN is used by the anti-Semites rather than standing against them, is the Human Rights Council."

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/UN/israel_un.html