Security forces fired Sunday, March 20 live bullets and tear gas on thousands of protesters in Deraa in southern Syria, killing one and injuring over 100, said an activist of human rights on site. "Security forces aided by the police fired live bullets at the demonstrators, whose number exceeds 10 000 people," said the activist, adding that gas bombs containing "toxic".
The demonstrators, who demanded more freedom and an end to corruption in Syria torched the headquarters of the Baath party (in power) in Deraa, according to residents. With the backing of protesters from nearby villages, they also set fire to the courthouse and offices of two mobile phone companies.
One of these companies, Syriatel, belongs to RamiMakhlouf, cousin of President Bashar Assad. Deraa, theater events for three consecutive days, "has become a volcano of fire," said the activist. The security forces are assisted by police and officers not wearing uniforms, "he added. Al-Omari Mosque, which became a "field hospital", welcomed the wounded, he said.
Syria is not immune to the wave of protest that shook the Arab world since the beginning of the year. After initial unsuccessful calls to show launched in February via social networks, the Syrian capital has undergone a series of unprecedented events, including footage filmed by mobile phone operating on the Internet.
Four protesters were killed and hundreds others injured on Friday by police during a demonstration in this city of Deraa, according to an activist for human rights. Saturday, dozens of demonstrators were arrested and several others injured by security forces. Syria, where the emergency law in force since 1963, has since March 15 the scene of demonstrations following the call of a Facebook page calling for more freedom. 
The demonstrators, who demanded more freedom and an end to corruption in Syria torched the headquarters of the Baath party (in power) in Deraa, according to residents. With the backing of protesters from nearby villages, they also set fire to the courthouse and offices of two mobile phone companies.
One of these companies, Syriatel, belongs to RamiMakhlouf, cousin of President Bashar Assad. Deraa, theater events for three consecutive days, "has become a volcano of fire," said the activist. The security forces are assisted by police and officers not wearing uniforms, "he added. Al-Omari Mosque, which became a "field hospital", welcomed the wounded, he said.
Syria is not immune to the wave of protest that shook the Arab world since the beginning of the year. After initial unsuccessful calls to show launched in February via social networks, the Syrian capital has undergone a series of unprecedented events, including footage filmed by mobile phone operating on the Internet.
Four protesters were killed and hundreds others injured on Friday by police during a demonstration in this city of Deraa, according to an activist for human rights. Saturday, dozens of demonstrators were arrested and several others injured by security forces. Syria, where the emergency law in force since 1963, has since March 15 the scene of demonstrations following the call of a Facebook page calling for more freedom.
- Syria troops sent to Deraa, mourners demand freedom - Reuters (21/03/2011)
- Wave of unrest shakes Syria, crowds torch party HQ - Reuters (20/03/2011)
- Syrians mourn victims killed in anti-govt protests (21/03/2011)
- Arab unrest spreads to Syria, thousands march (20/03/2011)
- Arab unrest spreads to Syria as thousands march (20/03/2011)
No comments:
Post a Comment