Syrian Forces Open Fire On Protesters at Mosque; At Least 25 Dead
Syrian security forces opened fire yesterday on protesters gathered at the Omari mosque in the old quarter of the city of Daraa, on the Jordanian border. Six were reported killed at the mosque. Security then fired again on crowds that entered the city in support of the residents, and are alleged to have also opened fire on mourners at the funeral of the victims of the mosque shootings. At least twenty-five are reported dead.
Al-Jazeera's correspondent in Syria reports "a heavy security presence in Daraa, with the army, anti-terror police and riot police all deployed in the city," and says journalists are being forcibly kept out. Syrian security has set up checkpoints at all entrances to Daraa. Mobile phone coverage is out and electricity has been shut off in the city.
The Syrian government's version of events is that an "armed gang" attacked an ambulance at the Omari mosque, killing four. Footage appeared yesterday on state-run television showing an arms cache inside the mosque (see the al-Jazeera video here).
The pro-democracy movement appears uncowed by the violence. Demonstrators are using social-networking sites to rally participants to join mass protests tomorrow, an event they are calling "Dignity Friday." According to Al-Jazeera, democracy campaigners are being arrested right now, and Loay Hussein, a political prisoner, is reported to have been "taken from his home near Damascus."
- Comment (3)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (2)
Comments :
Dec '10
Re: Syrian Forces Open Fire On Protesters at Mosque; At Least 25 Dead
Does Chinless Bashar have his father's steel, such that he'll order his Army's artillery units to encircle Daraa and level it with total loss of life? Anything less will probably end up with him following the example of Mubarak - or Qaddafi.
May '10
Re: Syrian Forces Open Fire On Protesters at Mosque; At Least 25 Dead
I bet state-run Syrian television is awesome. We should get that here (contact your local cable provider). Though surely finding an arms cache in a mosque has to rank as the bottom story of the day, even for them.
Syria seems almost North Korean in its impenetrability to journalists. Even al Jazeera can't get in there.
Dec '10
Re: Syrian Forces Open Fire On Protesters at Mosque; At Least 25 Dead
Bashar, Bashar, Bashar... did you learn nothing at your father's knee? If you're going to show weakness, you might as well start packing gold bars into the hold of your Presidential plane right now:
DARAA, Syria – The Syrian government pledged Thursday to consider lifting some of the Mideast's most repressive laws in an attempt to stop a week-long uprising in a southern city from spreading and threatening its nearly 50-year rule.
The promises were immediately rejected by many activists who called for demonstrations around the country on Friday in response to a crackdown that protesters say killed dozens of anti-government marchers in the city of Daraa.
"We will not forget the martyrs of Daraa," a resident told The Associated Press by telephone. "If they think this will silence us they are wrong."