Hundreds of Syrian protesters turn out in Deraa, with reports of four dead in attack by security forces on Omari mosque
Katherine Marsh in Damascus
The Guardian, Wednesday 23 March 2011
"Syria faces the most serious unrest in the 11-year rule of President Bashar al-Assad as protests continue across the south.
Several hundred demonstrators reportedly took to the streets in the governorate of Deraa in the fifth consecutive day of clashes.
Last night there were reports that Syrian security forces killed four people on an attack on the Omari mosque in Deraa. 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.
Unrest has spread to the nearby towns of Inkhil, Jasim and Nawa, and rural areas around Damascus, witnesses said. The protesters have stopped short of calling for the overthrow of Assad. "The protests started in small numbers and with local grievances but have expanded as people have been killed," said an activist in Damascus, who asked for anonymity. "The use of force has made people angrier and encouraged large groups to turn out for the funerals.".....
In addition to cracking down, The government has responded by organising pro-Assad rallies.
distributing propaganda. It has blamed the unrest on saboteurs, from Israeli agents to Palestinian extremists, and has claimed infiltrators dressed up as high-ranking officials are giving permission to forces to shoot. It has also made concessions. Faisal Kalthoum, governor of Deraa, has been dismissed. Sources told the Guardian that Deraa's head of political security has also been transferred....."
Katherine Marsh in Damascus
The Guardian, Wednesday 23 March 2011
"Syria faces the most serious unrest in the 11-year rule of President Bashar al-Assad as protests continue across the south.
Several hundred demonstrators reportedly took to the streets in the governorate of Deraa in the fifth consecutive day of clashes.
Last night there were reports that Syrian security forces killed four people on an attack on the Omari mosque in Deraa. 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.
Unrest has spread to the nearby towns of Inkhil, Jasim and Nawa, and rural areas around Damascus, witnesses said. The protesters have stopped short of calling for the overthrow of Assad. "The protests started in small numbers and with local grievances but have expanded as people have been killed," said an activist in Damascus, who asked for anonymity. "The use of force has made people angrier and encouraged large groups to turn out for the funerals.".....
In addition to cracking down, The government has responded by organising pro-Assad rallies.
distributing propaganda. It has blamed the unrest on saboteurs, from Israeli agents to Palestinian extremists, and has claimed infiltrators dressed up as high-ranking officials are giving permission to forces to shoot. It has also made concessions. Faisal Kalthoum, governor of Deraa, has been dismissed. Sources told the Guardian that Deraa's head of political security has also been transferred....."
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