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  • May 02, 2011
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Middle East In Transition

Protest Crackdowns Leave Almost 62 Dead in Syria

A video downloaded from YouTube shows Syrian anti-government protesters tearing down a portrait of President Basahr al-Assad in Hama on April 29, 2011 during the "Day of Rage" demonstrations
Photo: AFP

A video downloaded from YouTube shows Syrian anti-government protesters tearing down a portrait of President Basahr al-Assad in Hama on April 29, 2011 during the "Day of Rage" demonstrations

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Witnesses and activists in Syria say at least 62 people were killed when security forces opened fire in a crackdown on anti-government protests. Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets nationwide on Friday, declared by young protesters to be a "day of rage" against the authoritarian government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Most of the deaths occurred in the southern city of Daraa, where the six-week-old uprising against President Assad began. Deaths were also reported in the central city of Homs.

Earlier Friday, the government said four of its soldiers were killed and two captured in what it described as a "terrorist" attack in Daraa. State-run media quoted a military spokesman as saying gunmen attacked a military post in the southern town at dawn.

In Damascus, more than 10,000 opposition activists were on the streets - the largest demonstration in the capital since the start of the protests.

Thousands more joined protests in dozens of other cities and towns, including Banias, Latakia and Qamishli. They marched in solidarity with the besieged residents of Daraa, which has felt the military crackdown the hardest. In addition to the bloodshed, Daraa's water, electricity and communications have been cut.

Syrian authorities blame armed gangs and infiltrators supplied with weapons from Lebanon and Iraq for inciting weeks of anti-government protests. The Assad regime claims the military action launched this week was intended to protect citizens.

President Assad has previously lifted the state of emergency in effect in Syria for decades, and promised political reforms, but that has had no visible effect on the protesters.

Syrian activist Rami Nakhle, who now lives in Beirut, said Friday's demonstrations were the biggest since the uprising began, and show that the Syrian people are no longer afraid to call for the government's ouster.

"The first persons who went to the streets in the beginning of this events, they want to topple this regime, but they cannot say it at the beginning. But now they start to say it. Now they start to say it, [and] they are protected by the crowd. The barrier of fear [has] start[ed] to fall. So people [are] not afraid anymore," Nakhle said.

For the first time Friday, Syria's banned Muslim Brotherhood urged people to join the protests. The group said the authorities' accusations that militant Islamists were behind the unrest were aimed at causing a civil war and undermining demands for political freedoms.

Activist Nakhle said even those Syrians who supported Mr. Assad are unconvinced by the government's claims.

"To fight Salafist armed groups, why to cut electricity? Why to cut medical aid? Why to cut water?," Nakhle said.

In Geneva, the U.N. Human Rights Council condemned the violence and called for an investigation, while in Washington, President Barack Obama imposed sanctions freezing property controlled by three top Syrian officials, the Syrian intelligence agency and Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Iranian entity is blamed for providing material support to Syria's crackdown on protesters.

Human-rights groups say more than 500 demonstrators have been killed since the uprising began on March 15. Most foreign media have been banned from the country, so independent verification of those reports has been difficult.

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Comments (18)

29-04-2011 hamad part 1 of 3 (Oman)

Persecution and oppression which have been exerted over all those years have led people to the brink of explosion and confrontation . People cross the Arab world are ready to sacrifice their lives in order to pursue their essential rights . This environment of protest is fertile ground for any opposition aims to take a place and cause troubles as a revenge of Syrian government which has been severe to deal with its nation in the theory of some protesters .

29-04-2011 hamad part 2 of 3 (Oman)

They knew extremely well that the repercussion will be costly and painful but if they are going to topple the regime which they do not like , they are ready to sacrifice everything . Meanwhile , governments have learnt from each other and eliminate the element of foreign media because they knew how media could depict the situation as a war or bloody massacre .

29-04-2011 hamad part 3 of 3 (Oman)

I do not think that UN is going to do more than condemn and denounce loudly specially that the plight of Libya is still underway and no one knows where is going to end . The logic of the mess is conducive to let people cope with their internal issues by themselves without foreign interventions otherwise US and coalition forces are going to launch war after war .

29-04-2011 Gay-Obama (China)

(UN)Who and which people are United as UN?US and coalition forces can not intervent in a country if there is no oil or something valuble than oil.I feel so sorry over people in Syrian bcos USA cannot come to intervent due to lack of oil.

29-04-2011 (Florida/USA)

Since the Muslim Brotherhood has joined the the mobs protesting the Syrian government westerners will quickly lose interest in supporting anti-government efforts. Islamization of the political situation is a guaranteed loser for the Syrian people. Sorry about that, but the west have had a belly full of radical Islam.

29-04-2011 Marvin McConoughey (USA)

The problem of entrenched leaders is endemic in much of the world. I'm not sure that the USA should intervene. The problems are too great, the solutions problematic, the costs of intervention unpredictable and the outcomes uncertain. Before one encourages overthrow of a bad government, a better government should be ready to take its place.

29-04-2011 ChineseAMERICAN (USA)

China preaching? Where was oil in Bosnia? Kosovo? China cannot even SPEAK against tyrants killing their own, because they have and will. Assuming your internet aint blocked - look up a certain even in 1989 in your country. I'd name it, but certainly then the State will censor it - or come knocking on your door.

29-04-2011 kamil

of course it's very complicated issue but let events take their own course is obviously wrong answer. question whether is there the international community?

29-04-2011

muslims killing muslims....so whats the problem ?

29-04-2011 groucho

did any of you lived in syria. i did and was there during havez al assad coup. he robed all the rich and the one who did not like. if you say anything against the government your life is gone. think twice before you say anything. live there and find out. thanks but no thanks.

29-04-2011 grumpy

Kamil - Why is letting events take their own course a wrong answer?

29-04-2011

Freedom for Syria! Down with oppression! Let the people speak! Let the people voice their opinions! Syrian tanks off the streets! World leaders speak out! Now is the chance for freedom!!

29-04-2011 Michael (USA)

The people in countries in the Middle East and around the world need to think about places like Syria and Libya when they accuse the US being evil invaders. The US would be happy to help, but we keep getting accused of things, so we are leary of doing so...

29-04-2011 Andrew (Canada)

It is sad to see the line between politics and religion being blurred. I'm sure the attitude expressed by the anonymous poster from Florida will be pervasive amoung many in the west, but the question of whether or not to intervene should be based on the actions of the regime in question, not the involvement of any religious faction.

30-04-2011 HumanRight (Canada)

It's so sad that innocent people have to sacrifice their lives in able to gain the simplest human right of freedom and basic living needs. The politic of oppression, killing and cutting water and electricity will make more people angry and more people protesting. A leader should represent the people's needs and if he can't he should leave. May all the souls of heroes who died rest in peace.

30-04-2011 Flash Gordon (U.K)

The whole problem in the Middle East is the people want change(which is desirable) but will NOT submit to their government, as a result many lives are lost .In the most rigid states, if you keep you're nose clean you are O.K .The only reason for non submission is when the government of the day goes against genuine religious faith (saying you will not worship God)

30-04-2011 Big John (USA)

Confusing title."Almost" 62 dead.Does that mean 61 1/2 have died???

30-04-2011 rgw1946 (usa)

NO troops--NO aid except>sell arms>>> to both sides <<< DONE

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