World

Deadly Day: Syrian Security Forces Fire on Protesters, At Least 40 Killed

Bashar Assads Syrian Security Forces Open Fire Killing At Least 40 Protesters

BEIRUT (The Blaze/AP) — Syrian security forces opened fire Friday on protesters and hunted them down in house-to-house raids, killing about 30 people in the deadliest day in weeks in the country’s 7-month-old uprising, activists said.

An update from The New York Times, however, states that the death toll has risen to at least 40:

Syrian security forces killed at least 40 people on Friday during antigovernment demonstrations across the country, according to human rights activists, as the government of President

Most of the deaths occurred in central Syria, the most restive region in the country, with 21 people killed in Homs and 14 in Hama.

The popular revolt against Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime has proved remarkably resilient, with protests erupting every week despite the near-certainty the government will respond with bullets and tear gas. The U.N. estimates the regime crackdown on the protests has killed 3,000 people since March.

Much of the bloodshed Friday happened after the protests had ended and security forces armed with machine guns chased protesters and activists, according to opposition groups monitoring the demonstrations. Authorities disrupted telephone and Internet service, they said.

The Syrian opposition’s two main activist groups, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordinating Committees, gave figures for the protesters killed on Friday ranging from 29 to 37.

The flashpoints were Homs and Hama in central Syria, where opposition to the regime is strong. Hama is the site of a massacre nearly 30 years ago which has come to symbolize the ruthlessness of the Assad dynasty.

Rami Abdul-Rahman, the head of the observatory, said security forces in Homs were firing machine guns as they conducted raids in search of protesters and activists. In Hama, there were heavy clashes between the army and gunmen believed to be army defectors.

Syria has largely sealed off the country from foreign journalists and prevented independent reporting, making it difficult to confirm events on the ground. Key sources of information are amateur videos posted online, witness accounts and details gathered by activist groups.

Communications were spotty Friday in the Damascus suburb of Douma and in Homs. The move appeared to be an attempt to cut off the opposition’s ability to organize and report on the protests.

“There was a very fierce reaction to the protests in Homs today,” said Syria-based activist Mustafa Osso. Syrian forces opened fire as some 2,000 people gathered for protests, he said.

“There are many injured as well. Hospitals are having a hard time coping with the casualties,” Osso told The Associated Press.

Majd Amer, an activist in Homs said sporadic gunfire could be heard as protesters poured out of mosques following Friday prayers.

It is difficult to gauge the strength of the revolt in Syria, a country of 22 million people. The crackdown does not appear to have significantly reduced the number of protests, but neither does the regime appear to be in any imminent danger of collapse.

The regime appears to lack sufficient numbers of loyal troops to garrison all the centers of unrest at the same time, so government forces will often sweep through an area in the wake of protests, breaking up new gatherings and hunting activists, before being deployed elsewhere.

The result has been a monthslong stalemate. Still, the capture and subsequent death of Libya’s Moammar Gadhafi, under still-unclear circumstances, has energized the opposition. Last week, thousands of Syrians took to the streets shouting that Assad will be next.

The protests come amid efforts by the Arab League to end the bloodshed, and debates within the opposition on how to bring international pressure to bear on the regime.

On Friday, many protesters said they wanted a no-fly zone established over Syria to protect civilians in case the Syrian regime considers attacking protesters from the sky, the activist groups said.

The protesters also called for international monitors, although most opposition groups reject the idea of foreign military intervention.

The Syrian government insists the unrest is being driven by terrorists and foreign extremists looking to stir up sectarian strife.

Comments (53)

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  • bullcrapbuster
    Posted on October 29, 2011 at 10:58am

    Why don’t the 99% OWS crowd just vote in all of those wonderful people that they want to run this country. if they get 99% of the vote they can have any type of government that they want. Just what kind of democracy are they talking about? No need for violence. But they know that they cannot win an election so they want a violent revolution The only poor people that they have at those protests are the homeless that show up for the free digs, but now I hear that the revolutionary hypocrites are whining about that and want them kicked out. Syria has a dictatorship, apparently that is what the jihadists want so what is their problem? Oh yes they want a jihadist dictatorship that they can call a democracy. The Syrian government is doing the rest of the world a service. The jihadists want all the infidals dead. The syrian government only wants to kill jihadists. Only a dictator can keep the peace in those crazy Muslim countries.

    Report Post » bullcrapbuster  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on October 29, 2011 at 6:47am

    Come on Barack, you know you want a radical Islamic theocracy in that country too, what are you waiting for?

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 9:12am

      But, it was imperative we go into Libya…Silence on Syria. Why? Can’t he at least be consistent. If you want to take out dictators take them all out, otherwise don’t celebrate to demise of a minor dictator. He is probably concerned we will find Saddam’s WMDs if we go in.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • zippo
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 5:29pm

      They love to kill each other in the middle east, and that’s fine with me. Just stay away from Israel and the United States. They need to be deported from here. Islam is a military movement not a religion. They are using our own constitution against us. What a ——- mess!

      Report Post » zippo  
  • lukerw
    Posted on October 29, 2011 at 4:27am

    Given… the Primitive… Revolt… Treason… this is a slow day. The Aztecs would kill 1,000 a day… just for Sacrifices!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • Eyes_of_Deception
    Posted on October 29, 2011 at 3:17am

    According to the Iranian Supreme Geek, I Ah Told Ya, arresting protesters is a crime against humanity…ha, what about this “waterloo” in Syria? Is that not worse?

    Report Post » Eyes_of_Deception  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on October 29, 2011 at 2:46am

    The OWS’rs that are rioting or talking of it should take a hint. Although it is their right to protest, it is that. Within their RIGHTS. Countries like Syria and Iran where people don’t have rights are gunned down. And yet these people will side with the muslims.

    Then again, they are idiots in the first place and therefore don’t care.

    Report Post » KickinBack  
    • KickinBack
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 2:49am

      And I am tired about hearing of how “most muslims are good”. Well then, why don’t the good muslims speak out?

      Report Post » KickinBack  
  • Thevoice
    Posted on October 29, 2011 at 1:36am

    Really if there more of the Muslim brotherhood …What’s the problem…Have at it…..

    Report Post » Thevoice  
  • mike3481
    Posted on October 29, 2011 at 1:27am

    Unlike Gaddafi and Mubarak, Syria’s al-Assad family paid attention to and tended to their security forces, which amounts to a secret police and a private army, whose #1 quality is loyalty to the dictatorship, very much like what Hitler had with the Gestapo and the Waffen-SS, the latter of which fought to the bitter end and darn near tore apart the Russian advance into Berlin, they also made-up the “wolverine” insurgency of mid- 1945 to 1947. (yeah, that was scrubbed from U.S. text books).

    Any successful dictatorship must have those elements, or they won’t last for long.

    My point is that the al-Assad family, like any successful dictatorship, runs their country like a crime syndicate and they’re not going to go gently into the night… it doesn’t matter if regular Army personal defects, the al-Assad’s security forces will prevail.

    Since the “troubles” in Syria started, the security forces have been identifying the leaders, aka, the head of the snake, leading the revolt in Syria, when all is known, there will be a “night of the long knives” in Syria and it’ll be over… period.

    They’ve already slaughtered 4,000, another 4,000+ is nothing to the dictatorship.

    And that’s how it goes in 2/3 of the member nations of the U.N..

    Report Post »  
    • 1NJslave
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 9:43am

      MIKE3481…well said. Amazing how much history has been missing, misplaced, overlooked for us. The second best thing Eisenhower did was to not destroy the evidence, the first being his farewell speach.

      Report Post » 1NJslave  
  • Cold War Vet
    Posted on October 29, 2011 at 1:04am

    I wish we could get somebody to fire on our protesters.

    Report Post » Cold War Vet  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 1:17am

      We could reduce the tea party quite well that way.

      Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
    • Latter-Day-Soldier
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 4:16am

      @exrepub
      Don’t you mean “Flea-Party”? I have yet to hear anyone associated with the T.E.A. party support this rabble called ows.

      Report Post » Latter-Day-Soldier  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on October 29, 2011 at 1:02am

    BO may like to see this done at a TEA PARTY rally.

    Report Post » banjarmon  
  • suzy000
    Posted on October 29, 2011 at 12:54am

    With 22 million people, he can keep it up this rate for about 20 years and still have a few people left to rule. This Syrian President is a tyrannical loon. I am shocked they have let him go on this long but yet ousted Gaddafi who did not have nearly the fatalities as Syria. Obama is petrified of Syria because they have Iranian backing…in another words, Obama is NO REAGAN.

    Report Post »  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 1:19am

      Iranians still have the weapons Reagan sold to them, is that what you mean?

      Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 1:29am

      Jets that can’t fly. Even if they could they are hopelessly outclassed .

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • Latter-Day-Soldier
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 4:19am

      F-4 Phantoms and F-14 Tomcats, great aircraft for their time, but they belong inside museums and at airshows now

      Report Post » Latter-Day-Soldier  
  • 9635kari
    Posted on October 29, 2011 at 12:49am

    I am sure that Bashir is quaking in his boots. After what happened to Gaddafi, this man must keep one eye open all night. These dictators have to go, either peacefully or as Saddam and Mommar!

    Report Post »  
    • Steve
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 12:59am

      9635kari

      I agree but what will replace him will be far worse.

      Report Post »  
    • Robert-CA
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 2:22am

      Either way countries like these were always ruled by dictators & it will always be replaced by dictators or sort of .

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on October 29, 2011 at 12:21am

    When Obama’s Arab Spring is done the entire region will have fallen under the control of radical Muslims. What a great legacy that will be for The One.

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
    • Steve
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 1:01am

      RightPolitically

      Just curious. Define a Moderate Muslim.
      Then define a Radical Muslim
      Someone who believes a little Of Muhammad’s Doctrines?.
      Someone who believes in 1/2 of Muhammad Doctrines?
      Someone who believes in 3/4 of Muhammad Doctrines?
      Someone who believes in all of Muhammad Doctrines?

      Report Post »  
  • michael79
    Posted on October 29, 2011 at 12:07am

    Is the difference between Libya and Syria, to NATO, the trucks reportedly moving from Iraq carrying WMDs prior to Operation Iraqi Freedom?

    Report Post » michael79  
  • 1947
    Posted on October 29, 2011 at 12:00am

    Just go home…….you won’t died

    Report Post »  
  • garyM
    Posted on October 28, 2011 at 11:41pm

    You would think the Wall Street protesters all over America would read about this massacre in Libya and would be thankful for the freedom and country in which we live and go home and get a job but no, they complain when the police uses tear gas and much restraint when they arrest people instead of killing them. The police are only doing their job and taking a chance on injury or death to themselves in the process of these arrest. Go figure!

    Report Post »  
    • garyM
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 12:09am

      Correction to my post, that’s Syria not Libya

      Report Post »  
    • garyM
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 12:15am

      Syria, Libya, Palestine, Egypt, Iran, I suppose they’re all about the same and will be one big terrorist state soon.

      Report Post »  
    • Robert-CA
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 2:19am

      GARYM
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 12:15am
      Syria, Libya, Palestine, Egypt, Iran, I suppose they’re all about the same and will be one big terrorist state soon.
      ________________________
      They tried that in the 60′s The Socialist Arab Union & it failed big time & they clashed with each other LOL !!!!!!!
      Hmmmmmmmm I wonder why LOL

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
  • qzak491
    Posted on October 28, 2011 at 11:23pm

    Don’t I remember a phrase that got us into Libya, how’s it go, somethiing like, the need to protect. There need is there where’s the protection. Bring out more drones, I like those new small drones with the TV’s in them for guidance. Fly them into the house of the idiot in charge, whatever they call him.

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 7:47am

      We have better toys than that to take out a house.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Truthmonster
    Posted on October 28, 2011 at 11:21pm

    Assad look closely at ghaffi capture tape. That is your future. I would pop corn and watch your people rip you apart over & over again. I hope they rip your nicely managed hair out too. LOL

    Report Post » Truthmonster  
  • tbarr4
    Posted on October 28, 2011 at 11:01pm

    Hey Anderson Cooper- “This is what democracy looks like”!! Arrest Cooper Now!!

    Report Post »  
  • Robert-CA
    Posted on October 28, 2011 at 10:54pm

    The syrian government is accusing the terrorists LOL when in fact the syrian regime harbors & sponsors the most dangerous radical muslim terrorists in the world starting with hezbollah & hamas …

    Report Post » Robert-CA  
  • let us prey
    Posted on October 28, 2011 at 10:53pm

    Was that Penn in the crowd?

    Report Post » let us prey  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on October 28, 2011 at 10:46pm

    At this point I almost believe terrorists and foreign extremists are the cause. Just like Wisconsin & Ohio.

    Report Post » Stoic one  
  • Dustyluv
    Posted on October 28, 2011 at 10:45pm

    Send in the drones. Someone needs to die. After all …..”This is what Democracy looks like!”

    Report Post »  
  • Locked
    Posted on October 28, 2011 at 10:43pm

    these protesters could teach OWS a thing or two. If hundreds are willing to be gunned down, then perhaps the protesters in the US will do the same?

    Report Post »  
  • FlatFoot
    Posted on October 28, 2011 at 10:38pm

    *Yawn*.

    Sincerely,

    Barack Hussein Obama

    Report Post » FlatFoot  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on October 28, 2011 at 10:51pm

      Obama supported the rebels because otherwise a massacre of the Libyan people would take place. Well Syrians ARE being massacred & no Obama!

      What is his criteria for getting involved?

      Libya: Oil for France & Italy
      Uganda: Oil for Soros.

      Isn’t the LEFT just grand?

      Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on October 28, 2011 at 11:01pm

      WALKABOUT:
      The criteria is to go after Americans only. Kenya will rule the world. It’s in his blood.

      Report Post »  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on October 28, 2011 at 11:07pm

      THE LAST TIME Kenya had a stable gubbermint was when LUCY walked the earth.

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • Cold War Vet
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 1:06am

      @ 13TH IMAM

      For real!

      Report Post » Cold War Vet  
    • edwinmcarter
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 1:51am

      lucy…ah yes…the female created in genesis 1, I always get her mixed up with eve, created in gen 2

      Report Post »  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on October 29, 2011 at 11:22am

      Books are great for education, Mr Carter. I think Lilith was the name you were looking for. Lucy is in another book. An anthropology book.

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • flevan
    Posted on October 28, 2011 at 10:36pm

    As Elvis would say, “TCB”

    Report Post »  
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