The Syrian government ordered the entry of more tanks in Dera, where they could hear heavy gunfire as security forces tried to quell a revolt against President Bashar al-Assad, residents said. Army troops and tanks first entered in Dera on Monday to end the protests for democracy that has spread through the country of 20 million inhabitants, the main challenge to Assad has led Western powers to impose sanctions.
Dera, with 120 thousand inhabitants, is the birthplace of the uprising that began six weeks ago with demands for more freedom and an end to corruption. The protests have evolved into a movement to oust Assad after the violent crackdown. Residents said heavy gunfire could be heard, mostly in the old town of Dera, which is located on a hillside near the Jordanian border and is mostly a residential town.
Two residents said that Syrian forces shelled an ancient district of the city and stormed the main mosque Omari, the focus of demonstrations in Dera. "The bombing and stopped. There are snipers on the roof of the mosque," one resident said, adding that the forces backed by tanks, appeared to be in control of the old town for the first time since joining this week.
"My family and friends are being killed," the resident said by telephone, between sobs. Despite heavy military deployment and mass arrests, protesters again took to the streets on Friday demanding the departure of Assad. Soldiers killed 19 people in Dera on Friday when they fired on demonstrators who were attempting to enter the city from nearby towns in a show of solidarity, a medical source said.
Syrian human rights groups the dead totaled 62, bringing the number killed in these protests, which represent the main challenge to the four decades of the Assad dynasty, is in excess of 500. The crackdown led to the Western powers to take the first concrete steps to punish Syria. Washington imposed new sanctions on government figures, including Assad's brother, who heads the division of the army which came in Dera.
Assad's cousin, Najib Atif, was also subject to sanctions, like Ali Mamluk, director of intelligence and the powerful Iranian Revolutionary Guard, accused of aiding repression. Syria has denied that Iran was helping to quell the protests. Several European diplomats said they had reached a preliminary agreement to impose an arms embargo against Syria and to urgently consider further action. 
Dera, with 120 thousand inhabitants, is the birthplace of the uprising that began six weeks ago with demands for more freedom and an end to corruption. The protests have evolved into a movement to oust Assad after the violent crackdown. Residents said heavy gunfire could be heard, mostly in the old town of Dera, which is located on a hillside near the Jordanian border and is mostly a residential town.
Two residents said that Syrian forces shelled an ancient district of the city and stormed the main mosque Omari, the focus of demonstrations in Dera. "The bombing and stopped. There are snipers on the roof of the mosque," one resident said, adding that the forces backed by tanks, appeared to be in control of the old town for the first time since joining this week.
"My family and friends are being killed," the resident said by telephone, between sobs. Despite heavy military deployment and mass arrests, protesters again took to the streets on Friday demanding the departure of Assad. Soldiers killed 19 people in Dera on Friday when they fired on demonstrators who were attempting to enter the city from nearby towns in a show of solidarity, a medical source said.
Syrian human rights groups the dead totaled 62, bringing the number killed in these protests, which represent the main challenge to the four decades of the Assad dynasty, is in excess of 500. The crackdown led to the Western powers to take the first concrete steps to punish Syria. Washington imposed new sanctions on government figures, including Assad's brother, who heads the division of the army which came in Dera.
Assad's cousin, Najib Atif, was also subject to sanctions, like Ali Mamluk, director of intelligence and the powerful Iranian Revolutionary Guard, accused of aiding repression. Syria has denied that Iran was helping to quell the protests. Several European diplomats said they had reached a preliminary agreement to impose an arms embargo against Syria and to urgently consider further action.
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