27 Killed in Syria as Gov’t Opens Fire on Protesters
- Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:06pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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BEIRUT (AP) — Witnesses and human rights groups say the death toll has risen to 27 as Syrian security forces fire live bullets and tear gas on protesters.
Protesters flooded into the streets after Muslim prayers in at least five major areas across the country.
It‘s a sign that President Bashar Assad’s attempts to quell the monthlong protests with a deadly crackdown and promises of reform have all but failed.
Witnesses say an 11-year-old boy was among the dead. They spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
The protest movement has been the gravest challenge against the autocratic regime led by Assad, who inherited power from his father 11 years ago in one of the most rigidly controlled countries in the Middle East.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
BEIRUT (AP) – Syrian security forces fired live bullets and tear gas Friday on pro-democracy demonstrations across the country, killing at least 15 people – including a young boy – as the uprising against President Bashar Assad’s authoritarian regime defied a deadly security crackdown, witnesses said.
Protesters flooded into the streets after Muslim prayers in at least five major areas across the country, a sign that Assad’s attempts to quell the monthlong protests with a deadly crackdown and promises of reform have all but failed.
“Bullets started flying over our heads like heavy rain,” said one witness in Izraa, a southern village in Daraa province, the same region where the uprising kicked off in mid-March.
The protest movement has been the gravest challenge against the autocratic regime led by Assad, who inherited power from his father 11 years ago in one of the most rigidly controlled countries in the Middle East.
Tens of thousands of people were protesting in the Damascus suburb of Douma, the central city of Homs, Banias on the coast, the northeastern Kurdish region and the southern province of Daraa, where the uprising kicked off in mid-March.
Witnesses said they saw at least five corpses at the Hamdan hospital outside the capital. All suffered gunshot wounds.
In the southern province of Daraa, other witnesses said at least 10 people were killed when protesters marched in front of the mayor’s office in Izraa. They said an 11-year-old boy was among the dead.
“Among the dead was Anwar Moussa, who was shot in the head. He was 11,” said the witness.
The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
The protest movement has crossed a significant threshold in recent days, with increasing numbers now seeking the downfall of the regime, not just reforms. The security crackdown has only emboldened protesters, who are enraged over the deaths of more than 200 people over five weeks.
Friday’s witness accounts could not be independently confirmed because Syria has expelled journalists and restricted access to trouble spots. Witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
Activists promised that Friday’s protests will be the biggest rallies yet against the regime led by Assad, who inherited power from his father 11 years ago in one of the most authoritarian countries in the Middle East.
The president has been trying to defuse the protests by launching a bloody crackdown along with a series of concessions, most recently lifting emergency laws that gave authorities almost boundless powers of surveillance and arrest.
He also has fulfilled a decades-old demand by granting citizenship to thousands among Syria’s long-ostracized Kurdish minority, fired local officials, released detainees and formed a new government.
But many protesters said the concessions have come too late – and that Assad does not deserve the credit.
“The state of emergency was brought down, not lifted,” prominent Syrian activist Suhair Atassi, who was arrested several times in the past, wrote on her Twitter page. “It is a victory as a result of demonstrations, protests and the blood of martyrs who called for Syria’s freedom.”
Earlier Friday, witnesses said security forces in uniform and plainclothes set up checkpoints around the Damascus suburb of Douma, checking peoples identity cards and preventing nonresidents from going in.
Syria stands in the middle of the most volatile conflicts in region because of its alliances with militant groups like Lebanon’s Hezbollah and with Shiite powerhouse Iran. That has given Damascus a pivotal role in most of the flashpoint issues of the region, from the Arab-Israeli peace process to Iran’s widening influence.
If the regime in Syria wobbles, it also throws into disarray the U.S. push for engagement with Damascus, part of Washington’s plan to peel the country away from its allegiance to Hamas, Hezbollah and Tehran.
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Comments (61)
avenger
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 4:11pmhey gang..this what the rulers do to rioters…..
Report Post »1911HeadBanger
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 3:51pmLet’s see if I get this right! We have this crap going on in Syria, Libya, Egypt and other places in the Middle East.
Report Post »You have a Muslim Dictator that screams, “Death to America”. You have the People in the country there screaming “Death to America.” You have Hamas and AlQueda mixed in with the protestors. Now, all of that being said…….. They are shooting each other, and we want to stop them? Why?
threecats407
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 4:46pmNot me. The more these savage kill each other the less time they have for the civilized world.
Report Post »txn4justice
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 3:08amWait…Don’t……Stop……Shooting each other. We need less islarmists
Report Post »vtech61
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 3:48pmI see weaponized drones in Syria’s future. NOT
Report Post »wampanoag
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 3:46pmThe turmoil in the Arab world has nothing to do with a search for democracy. The Muslim world is producing millions of children and have no hope of finding enough jobs for them. This is why there is such discontent and massive migration to Europe.
Report Post »PaineSense
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 3:42pmmy question, gentlemen, is this:
Report Post »What is the resolve of those on the left and the islamofascists as to what means and methods are acceptable in attaining their goals?
Does the resolve of their opposition, assuming that there is no doubt as to what their intentions are, match and/or exceed their the limits of their resolve?
If it does, and the actions being taken all over the world and within the seats of power of our own corrupt government represent a clear and present danger to us as individuals and the country as a whole, well…
This nation was founded by an openly armed citizenry that used those arms to secure that founding and permanently sealed in the language of those restrictions on the government called the Bill of Rights that arms would be necessary to maintain it…
Outlaw_Josey_Wales
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 3:29pmThis will happen in the U.S.A. just a matter of time.
Report Post »txn4justice
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 3:28pmWonder how many people got lilled in the USA today? Probably more then 27. What do you think?
We got our own problems to worry about. Quit trying to save the world people. It ain’t working so far.
We can be great again but being PC and the world police force ain’t the solution.
Report Post »chuck_wagon
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 3:11pmExcellent news! Keep up the good work Assad! That‘s 27 less terrorist we’ll have to deal with when you fall and the brotherhood takes over. Come on people, start getting a reality check here and quit “praying” for their families, which I doubt any of you really do. Anyway, wake up and smell the coffee, THESE PEOPLE WANT US DEAD!!!!!!
Report Post »douglassoileau
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 2:27pmWho cares, let them all kill one another…..as they said during veitnam, KILL’M ALL AND LET GOD SORT THEM OUT…THEN we send the unions to bury the survivors,,,,,,that would take care them and would take the unions for at least a century……that’s the kind of violence they are talking about here, so just send to to where the action is..
Report Post »blazingaway
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 2:27pmMuslims seem to have little to no problem killing Muslim civilians so why do we in the West go to such great expense not to kill them or feel guilty when it does happen?
Report Post »I’m sick of the double standard.
I‘m sick of seeing Americans die because we don’t kill, kill, kill and kill until they sue for unconditional surrender. That’s what happen with Germany and Japan. That’s what needs to happen with Muslims or we need to get the hell out of there and learn to live and let live with the understanding that if a 911 ever happens again in our country we are going to kill everyone in the Middle east and take the oil to pay for the expense of killing them. We need to stop policing the Middle east and trying to Nation build without first obtaining and UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.
The Muslims are all about total submission to Allah. We‘ll I’m all about total submission to American if you violate our freedom, privacy and property. Otherwise, I’m all about live and let live and being peaceful towards one another. One or the other, nothing in between.
5.56x45_7.62x51_.50bmg
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 4:58pmYour post is the best i have read in along time. Thank You…
Report Post »Jeffrey777
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 2:02pm49 dead now. This is better than watching two chicks fight.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:58pmIts funn how people like Hillary respect the arab awakening as she calls it, but despises the Tea Party.Hmm
Report Post »i want the truth
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:46pmOk Mr. President are we going to save the people of Syria? Oh I am sure we will let the UN tell our troops what to do next. Since you have better things to do with your time like fundraising and bankrupting America.
Report Post »Please call the White House and tell them to bring our great troops home!! We have tried to keep the peace in the middle east. And now we are helping the Rebels?? How insane does that sound. Only from this Administration, have things just gotten so out of whack! Is anyone hearing that Egypt is better off without Mubarak?
let us prey
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:53pmIt is that out of whack. John McCain says the rebels are his heroes. I think I read that right.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:44pmSecretary of State Hillary Clinton said on March 27th that the U.S. was not currently poised to send U.S. military forces into Syria, noting that while “we deplore the violence in Syria,” the situation there could not be equated to that of Libya.
Report Post »wonder what she will do now.
thegreatcarnac
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:43pmALL of this unrest in the world should tell westerners (USA, Europe,Argentina) something. Where is it mostly happening? The third world is always in a rage. The brown, the yellow, and the black are always in an uproar; killing, raping, fighting religious wars, engaging in voodoo murders and hideous cultural killings. They are always in the streets or shooting behind trees. They all hate whitey yet they want to immigrate to white nations because of the prosperity and relative peace. Then..they bring their rage and their wars to our streets and attack us. STOP IMMIGRATION FROM THE 3RD WORLD NOW!
Report Post »starman70
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 4:02pmKeep them at home! Then keep kindling the fires of inter Islamic hatred. Suni against Sheite, Wahab against them both. Stir it up, let them bomb, shoot, knife and snipe at EACH OTHER! Supply all the arms they need so they can thin their own herd. A few well placed rumors would ignite the fires.
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:29pm……………….and?……………….
Report Post »wampanoag
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:15pmInvading Syria and freeing the Syrian people would be a lot more useful to world peace then removing Gadafi from power who has actually been our ally over the past ten years. Its not going to happen because Syria has no oil.
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 4:46pmYou know why Gadafi has been our ally over the past ten years? Because Reagan and Bush scared the heck out of his ignorant a$$. He isn‘t afraid of Obama which is why he won’t give up his power now.
Peace through superior firepower!
Report Post »HootOwl
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:10pmLook closely at the corpse towards the top of the first photo. Compare him with the man pointing his finger skyward in the bottom photo. Are these the same individual?
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:07pm‘Protesters flooded into the streets after muslin prayers in five major areas across the country, Exactly like Egypt! Glenn Beck was way ahead of everyone about this caliphate!
Report Post »JoeBtfsplk
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:56pmThe Caliphate is coming to a country near you soon.
You should invest in Eye-care products like saline; it gets that sand in your eyes from sticking your head in the sand out every time!
Report Post »Non-sequitur
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:00pmSo what you’re saying is that the Syrian government murders its citizens to prevent the rise of the grande Caliphate as prophesized by Glenn Beck (and only Glenn Beck) and not for some other reason, maybe to hold on to their power or something absurd like that.
Did I read that right?
Report Post »logictrumps
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:51pm@ Non-sequitur
Hilary said no intervention was required in Syria since “Assad is a reformer”. The same way that intervention in Iran is not necessary as they already had a revolution in 1979 according to Hilary & crew.
Kissinger is now recommending US Troops on the ground in Lybia. So tell me is this really about humanitarian aid? Why did the rag tag rebels form a Central Bank two weeks in to the lybian conflict? Here is a tip, ask yourself who was helping the disorganized rebels form a Central bank? Why would these outside entities help such a thing? Lybia has it’s own currency that is issued by the government unlike the US dollar that is issued by a private bank backed by debt. Their central bank is not under the control of the IMF or BIS…. Hmm Why would Al-Qaeda rebels form a central bank in the middle of fighting? lol your side is the biggest bunch of useful idiots, go put your head back in the sand.
Report Post »needanotherReagan
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:53pmObumbler is waiting for the muslim brotherhood to tell him they want Syria too. Then he’ll decide to do something.
Report Post »nosycophant
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:36pmYeah we sure have a lot invested there with that repressive government.
Report Post »bhelmet
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:34pmResponsibility to Act?
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:33pmThinning the herd. Whichever side comes out on top will be our enemy so whats the difference. Insane Islamic lunatic A or B Take your pick.
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:43pmCulling the herd baby….Culling the herd
Report Post »threecats407
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 2:03pmSad to say but that about sums it up. One might even consider that perhaps a few future living bombs have been exterminated
Report Post »theonefromabove
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:12pmVery sad indeed prayers to the families.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »unsalvageable.org
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:19pmThis is becoming a common practice. To control your people you must rule by violence and fear, don’t believe me? Just ask the unions and the progressives! http://www.unsalvageable.org
Report Post »ISeeDanger.com
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:21pmIt will all be fine.
Report Post »Don’t worry about a thing.
Just a minor issue across the sea.
http://www.ISeeDanger.com
banjarmon
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:33pmWill this be another Libya???
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:36pmSo will the U.N. call for “involvement”? … could Obama have War IV.
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:37pmLets pray for more dead??? Lets pray for American involvement so we can die???
Or lets pray that tools who chant and rain dance and pray for themselves die and quit polluting the gene pool..
Report Post »and to the republic
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:39pm@ the one fromabove…. I’m not really too sure they would want our kind of prayers…
Report Post »Non-sequitur
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:58pm“Or lets pray that tools who chant and rain dance and pray for themselves die and quit polluting the gene pool..”
Praying for the death of your fellow man. You are a good Christian.
A good Christian.
Report Post »logictrumps
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:14pmHey Hilary – Still think Assad is a “Reformer”???????
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:43pmNon-sequitur
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 12:58pm
“Or lets pray that tools who chant and rain dance and pray for themselves die and quit polluting the gene pool..”
Praying for the death of your fellow man. You are a good Christian.
A good Christian.
Report Post »
1) Who said I was a christian?
Report Post »2) who cares whether I am a christian
3)Are you another of those biggoted aHoles who can only converse with your cult (christian) ignorance
4) Please fulfill your purpose on earth…
Become the worm dirt you and everyone else will eventually become.
encinom
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 1:44pmAnd Beck supports the government action. Beck supports Middle East dictators.
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 2:01pmENCINOM
Crosshairs….Red Dot….
Report Post »gotta light
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 2:04pmso does this mean under the “obama doctrine” nato’s going to create a no fly zone over syria & start dropping bombs?
what about the obama doctrine?
hey bud gotta light?
Report Post »i want the truth
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 2:07pmIt seems that all you Liberals like the Dictator we have.
Report Post »O has
Bankrupted our Country-he spends more than we take in
Taken millions of Real Jobs away(Oil drilling)
Hurt Small Businesses by taxing them to death
Divided America- with labor union thugs
helped the black panthers group-there has been no trial about the last election
has been making his own laws
forcing laws through without America’s approval-Obamacare
is helping fund killing babies -planned parenthood
this one is killing me he says he is not a Socialist/Radical. lol
talks about transparency… That has yet to be seen.
is making deals with the enemy George Soros -he has visited the White House several times
all of our Consitutional rights are being taken away!
Allows our Boarders to be wide open-didn’t support AZ when they are in dire need of securing the Boarders from killings of Americans
Pays for illegal immigrates/and whoever is on the gov’t. handouts food, education, health, ipads, ect.
Hates Rich people(the ones that want to choose what they want to do with their money they earn hard for by working)
Takes no responsibility loves to Blame Bush and the GOP for everything.
Has no problem giving weapons out to Mexico’s drug cartel and Lybian rebels, but wants to take are rights to own a weapon away.
His czars are all socialist commies!
Ok- now for the positive things Mr. O has done…………….
I am thinking…………………………………
I can not seem to come with any?????????????????????????????? I need some help!!
nptden
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 4:37pmWere is Obama saving the civilians?
Report Post »Curator_JDR
Posted on April 22, 2011 at 4:56pmWhat can Israel do? You will REALLY know times are changing for the BETTER when Israelis rebuilds their ancient gates as a symbol of the PERMANENCE of the Jewish people in their ancestral homeland.. This will make the Muslims insane and unite the Jewish people at the same time.
When renowned artist Marc Richard Rubin was painting his requested Biblical exhibition on the lineage and history of the Jewish people for Holocaust survivors in the early 2000?s , (online exhibition: http://www.marcrubin.com/or.ivnu ) one night while listening to music under the headphones he heard a voice so loud, he thought someone else was in the room. He wrote down what he heard, and as Marc related, his pen seemed to write by itself; he struggled to grasp it.
What Marc received were the schematics and reason for the “Gate of Israel”. http://www.marcrubin.com/pylon.ivnu While the “Palestinians” plot for international recognition of their terror state, this “SYMBOLIC fact on the ground” demonstrates the absurdity and futility of the Palestinian false claim to Eretz Yisrael.
The blueprints are a seed. Only the PEOPLE of Israel can bring the Gate of Israel to fruition. Let everyone you know who loves Israel know of the “Gate of Israel”
Report Post »