At least 27 demonstrators are dead at the hands of Syrian security forces as new protests against the government of President Bashar al-Assad erupted Friday in the southern city of Daraa.

The deaths brought the toll to more than 70 in several weeks of protests against the regime. –JCL

Al-Jazeera English:

Syrian security forces have killed at least 27 demonstrators in the southern city of Daraa, amid fresh protests against the rule of Bashar al-Assad, hospital sources and witnesses told the Reuters news agency.

The deaths occurred after Friday prayers when security forces opened fire with rubber-coated bullets and live rounds to disperse stone-throwing protesters, a witness told Al Jazeera.

In the east, thousands of ethnic Kurds also demonstrated for reform despite the Syrian president’s offer this week to ease rules which bar many Kurds from citizenship.

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