At least 34 people killed in Syria during pro-democracy protests

2011-06-04 10:11:57 GMT+7 (ICT)

DAMASCUS (BNO NEWS) -- At least 34 people were killed in Syria after Friday prayers, activists said.

The BBC reported that thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets across Syria, in defiance of the ongoing crackdown on dissent. According to activists, security forces killed at least 34 people in the central city of Hama where about 50,000 people were protesting.

"This is a natural reaction to the increased killings and lack of seriousness by the regime for any national reconciliation," said Rami Abdul Rahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

State television said the protesters were "trying to clash" with the security forces and had attacked and set fire to public buildings.

Thousands of people also reportedly demonstrated on Friday in and around the capital, while some 2,000 people marched in the northern district of Rukn al-Din. Demonstrations also took place in the city of Homs, the north-western town of Idlib, the eastern town of Deir al-Zour, and the western towns of Madaya and Zabadani.

US firm Renesys said two-thirds of all Syrian networks were unavailable, after there were reports that the internet service had been cut in several parts of the country.

Earlier on Friday, the United Nations voiced deep concern at the ongoing violence against children and urged the Syrian Government to ensure the protection of all children.

During the recent anti-government protests in Syria that are part of a broader uprising this year across North Africa and the Middle East, media reports said several hundred people, including women and children, have been killed.

Earlier this week, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said it had received, but could not independently confirm, information that the use of live ammunition against demonstrators has reportedly left at least 30 children dead.

According to human rights groups, more than 1,100 people have been killed since pro-democracy demonstrations began in mid-March. Protesters are demanding the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, who took over his father in 2000.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-04

34 is old news, latest figure is at least 130 with 150 cited elsewhere.