Deaths as Syrian forces 'storm mosque'

At least six reportedly killed, but authorities blame "armed gang" for violence in southern city of Daraa.

Al-Jazeera



"Security forces have attempted to storm a mosque in the southern Syrian city of Daraa, reportedly killing at least six people.

The government, however, blamed the violence on an "armed gang", [This sounds just like Gaddafi! I am waiting for the Rabbit's speech, in which he will describe the protesters as rats, and Al-Qa'ida supporters. The Rabbit will also repeat, "The Syrian people love me and will die for me!"] according to the state-run SANA news agency.

Residents said heavy gunfire was heard near the Omari mosque in the early hours of Wednesday in the city, which has been the scene of anti-government protests since Friday.

"It seems that security forces may be trying to storm the complex. It is not clear because electricity has been cut off. Tear gas is also being used," one resident told the Reuters news agency.

Protesters calling for political freedoms and an end to corruption had said earlier that they were going to remain in the mosque until their demands were met.

Mohammed Al Abdallah, an exiled Syrian rights activist living in the US, said he had been communicating with people in Daraa who told him that a doctor was among those killed.

"Security forces opened fire, they used bombs and live ammunition," he told Al Jazeera. "There are many injuries, including women and children."

He said electricity had been cut off before the attack and that security forces were preventing ambulances from entering the centre of Daraa, where the mosque is located......"