Witnesses Say 4 Killed In Syria

[News_Editor]

Witnesses‎ say 4 killed in Syria

2011-04-11 03:40:11 GMT+7 (ICT)

DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BNO NEWS) -- Four people were shot dead and several others were wounded on Sunday in the Syrian port of Baniyas, two days after deadly clashes in the south, the BBC reported.

According to eyewitnesses, three protesters were killed by pro-government militia, while state media reported the death of an officer in an ambush.

On Friday, it was reported that 26 protesters and 19 members of the security forces died in Deraa after security forces opened fire at funerals for protesters killed in previous clashes. State TV said earlier that 19 members of the police and other security forces in Deraa had been shot dead and 75 wounded by "armed groups".

The government has arrested scores of people since large-scale demonstrations began on March 16. Some have been released while others remain in detention and their whereabouts are unknown.

According to Human Rights Watch, at least 61 people have been killed in Daraa governorate since March 18. It is difficult to confirm the death toll, however, because of government restrictions on the media.

President Bashar al-Assad, who has ruled the country for 11 years, has promised a series of reforms in a bid to restore calm. He has agreed to analyze the possible end to the country's emergency rule that began in 1963.

Protesters are demanding the ouster of al-Assad, who took over the post from his father Hafez al-Assad in 2000, and calling for greater freedoms. The country has been ruled by the Baath Party since 1963.

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