Syrian Protests Turn Deadly

Posted on Mar 25, 2011

AP / Muzaffar Salman

Syrian protesters shout anti-government slogans after Friday prayers at a mosque in central Damascus.

At least 20 people were killed when Syrian police opened fire on anti-government protesters near the southern city of Daraa as demonstrations against the regime of Bashar al-Assad continued across the country. —JCL

Al-Jazeera English:

Syrian security forces have opened fire on anti-government protesters near the city of Daraa, killing at least 20 people, according to one witness.

“There are more than 20 martyrs .... they [security forces] opened fire haphazardly,” the witness told Al Jazeera.

Reuters also reported that heavy gunfire could be heard in the southern city, the focal point for demonstrations against Bashar al-Assad’s regime in recent days.

Rula Amin, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Damascus, said Syrian forces apparently opened fire after protesters set fire to a statue of the late president Hafer al-Assad.

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