Dozens killed as protests resume in Syria

[News_Editor]

Dozens killed as protests resume in Syria

2011-04-23 03:54:20 GMT+7 (ICT)

DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BNO NEWS) -- More than 40 people have reportedly been killed on Friday during anti-government protests in Syria, protesters said.

CNN reported that government forces clashed with thousands of Syrian protesters, who were marching after Muslims' weekly prayers, in various parts of the country.

The state-run news agency reported clashes between security forces and "armed groups of people." It said that eight people were killed and 28 others were injured after "several masked individuals" on a car opened fire in the southern city of Izraa in Daraa countryside. However, Wissam Tarif, a human rights activist, told CNN that security forces fired on demonstrators who were trying to join protesters in nearby Daraa, killing nine and wounding others.

"Today, they have killed so many people. There are so many people injured and people have been kidnapped," Tarif said. "They are acting as an armed gang, not as security forces."

A witness in Douma said eight people died and approximately 25 were wounded, while a doctor in the Damascus suburb of Moadamy said six people were killed and dozens wounded when security forces fired in an "indiscriminate and disproportionate manner" on thousands of demonstrators.

According to CNN, a witness said five people were killed in the Damascus suburb of Zamalka and an opposition leader in Homs said 12 people died and dozens were wounded when security forces fired on demonstrators. Witnesses also reported demonstrations in the capital, Damascus, where people chanted slogans and tear gas was fired amid a moderate security presence.

The Syrian Arab News Agency said a "limited number of demonstrators" came out on Friday and that security forces settled "scuffles that erupted between demonstrators and citizens".

The White House condemned the use of violence and urged the government to stop attacking protesters.

"We call on the Syrian government to cease and desist from the use of violence against peaceful protestors," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said.

The UK Foreign Secretary William Hague also condemned the killings and called on security forces to exercise restraint.

"I am extremely concerned by the reports of deaths and casualties across Syria. I condemn the unacceptable killing of demonstrators by the Syrian security forces," Hague said.

"The Syrian Government should address the legitimate demands of the Syrian people.  Political reforms should be brought forward and implemented without delay. The Emergency Law should be lifted in practice, not just in word," he added.

Before Friday's marches, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said the death toll had exceeded 200 since the demonstrations began in mid-March.

The protests came a day after President Bashar al-Assad lifted the country's 48-year-old state of emergency and abolished the state security court, both of which were key demands of the demonstrators.

In mid-March, pro-democracy demonstrations began in Syria and have continued across the country, which has been ruled by the Baath Party since 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 including the end of the 1963 state of emergency.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-23

[Steely Dan]

If there is any consistency the U.N should be calling for the removal of Assad, you could hear a pin drop where the Iranian media are concerned I note.

http://www.debka.com/article/20868/

After the bloodiest day in the month-long uuprising against his regime on Friday, April 22 - with at least 75 dead and hundreds wounded by live gunshots, as well as scores of people missing – Saturday threatens even greater violence. debkafile's reports exclusively that Bashar Assad plans to send his entire army out to stamp hard on the fury accompanying the funerals.