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Rights Group: Syria Death Toll Hits 120 Over Two Days; Security Fires on Mourners at Funerals

Rights Group: Syria Death Toll Hits 120 Over Two Days; Security Fires on Mourners at Funerals

BEIRUT (AP) — A human rights group says the death toll from two days of violence in Syria has reached 120.

Syrian security forces fired live bullets and tear gas Friday and Saturday as tens of thousands of people gathered across the country to protest the country’s authoritarian regime.

Ammar Qurabi is the head of Syria’s National Organization for Human Rights. He said 112 people were killed Friday and at least eight on Saturday.

More than 300 people have been killed in the past five weeks.

The violence prompted two Syrian lawmakers to resign in disgust over the killings. The lawmakers are from Daraa, a southern region that unleashed the protest movement in mid-March.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian security forces fired on tens of thousands of mourners during funeral processions Saturday, killing at least nine people as the mounting death toll prompted two Syrian lawmakers to resign in disgust over the killings.

The lawmakers, Nasser Hariri and Khalil Rifai, are from the southern region of Daraa that unleashed the protest movement in mid-March after a group of teenagers were arrested there for scrawling anti-regime graffiti on a wall.

“If I cannot protect the chests of my people from these treacherous strikes, then there is no meaning for me to stay in the People’s Assembly. I declare my resignation,” Hariri told Al-Jazeera in an interview.

The resignations were exceedingly rare in Syria, where nearly all opposition figures are either jailed or exiled.

But the bloodshed so far has only served to invigorate protesters whose demands have snowballed from modest reforms to the downfall of President Bashar Assad. Each Friday, growing numbers of people in multiple cities have taken to the streets despite the near certainty that they would come under swift attack from security forces and shadowy pro-government gunmen known as “shabiha.”

Friday was the deadliest day of the uprising, with at least 76 people killed as Syrian security forces fired bullets and tear gas at tens of thousands of protesters across the country. The crackdown signaled that the regime was prepared to turn more ruthless to put down the revolt.

The death toll continued to rise Saturday as security forces fired on funeral processions, killing at least nine people.

Witnesses said security forces killed four people in Douma, a suburb of the capital. Human rights activist Ammar Qurabi said five people were killed in the southern village of Izraa and the nearby village of Sheikh Miskeen.

The witness account could not be independently confirmed because Syria has expelled journalists and restricted access to trouble spots. They spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

“They prevented us from continuing our way to the cemetery,” said the witness in Douma, who said he was among at least 50,000 people taking part in the funerals there.

Comments (41)

  • Ignatius J. Reilly
    Posted on April 24, 2011 at 7:24pm

    muslims killing muslims?

    i’m oddly alright with that–saves american lives and bullets

    Report Post » Ignatius J. Reilly  
  • hardteachings
    Posted on April 24, 2011 at 4:15pm

    i think the powers that actually be, have allowed the globalism express to leave the station
    a bit too soon. once again, (historically speaking), underestimating the potential volatility
    of the middle-east. i believe they wanted a manageable unrest; not territorial upheaval, and
    are now making ad hoc decisions to regain control.
    the immediate danger ourselves and the rest of the world are pakistan’s nuclear weapons.
    i for one sleep better at night knowing that the globalists’ are not stupid people and therefore
    realize that even a ‘limited’ nuclear war would mean game over. i’m sure there are mechanisms
    in place to secure those sites should the present governments’ fall, or have a change of heart.
    i’m sure…

    Report Post » hardteachings  
  • Ishmael137
    Posted on April 24, 2011 at 2:03am

    President Assad has set up a situation where the Syrian people must either fully commit to overthrow the government or return to the yoke of a dictatorship; no third option is available. Hopefully they will do what they need to do before President Obama decalres another “not war” which he can walk away from and prolong the misery of Syrians, as he did in Libya.

    http://righthereontheleftcoast.blogspot.com/2011/04/crackdown.html

    Report Post » Ishmael137  
    • Redhandpaddy
      Posted on April 24, 2011 at 9:44am

      Assad, friend of Pelosi and Clinton was the one that our brain dead incompetent Secretary of State called a reformer in the middle east. He certainly “reformed” a few this weekend. Screw Syria and all Syrians. Who cares about the Syrian people, they all hate us, and would, in a heartbeat, support those that would murder us. Their attentions are simply on Assad today. Keep up the reforming. We should simply sit back, keep our people out of harms way and watch the cabaret.

      Report Post »  
  • BoilitDown
    Posted on April 23, 2011 at 10:24pm

    Let’s pray that the evil that dominates the Syrian leadership is overthrown by the most decent among the population.

    Report Post »  
  • Ella
    Posted on April 23, 2011 at 10:11pm

    They’re just doing what they like to do best – kill, The guy with blood on his hand was not looking too fazed by it all. For him it was a photo op. These people kill/murder when there’s nothing else to do or when they run out of Hashish.

    Report Post »  
    • Redhandpaddy
      Posted on April 23, 2011 at 10:43pm

      Who gives a rat’s a$$ about a bunch of muslims that hate us?

      Report Post »  
  • Exrepublisheep
    Posted on April 23, 2011 at 9:20pm

    See, if the repubes didn‘t invade to begin with we probably wouldn’t be anywhere near where we are now. Dems never have the balls to do anything first, probably saw how happy pubes were back then and just copied.

    Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
  • Ricky A. Patriotson
    Posted on April 23, 2011 at 6:44pm

    When is enough too much, not enough, just right, that’s not right,we should step in, we shouldn’t do anything, we’ve done enough,we haven’t done enough….?
    When Obowtome is in office

    Report Post » Ricky A. Patriotson  
  • saajidkara
    Posted on April 23, 2011 at 6:27pm

    The character of the Arabs who dwell in this inhospitable region conform to the description given to the mother of Ishmael. They are fiercely independent, and are dangerous when provoked or attacked. In spite of the pressures brought to bear upon the Arab countries, and their common hostility towards Israel, there has been little cohesion among them. Proclamations of Arab unity have been made but seldom properly implemented. In fact, the disunity among the Arab powers illustrates the truth of Genesis 16:12 to this day: “He will be a wild ass of a man his hand shall be against every man and every man’s hand against him.” The reference to the wild ass (as the Hebrew text has it) is most fitting. It is the image of the free, intractable Bedouin character. As the Book of Job records, the wild ass is untameable, roaming at will in the desert, a wonderful symbol of the Bedouin’s boundless love of freedom and independence. The statement “his hand shall be against every man and every man’s hand against him” is a fitting and vivid description of the incessant feuds among Arabs. And these continue to the present. Consider this record of disunity:

    Report Post » saajidkara  
  • psadie
    Posted on April 23, 2011 at 5:45pm

    So where are your Muslim brothers in Yemen, Egypt and the Arab world? Why are they not stepping up to help you? Don’t look to the USA the Americans have had enough of this nonsense. Go kill yourselves and not our warriors.

    Report Post »  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on April 23, 2011 at 5:01pm

    Where’s is the Arab League? 22 member countries who are suppose to look after arab interests. Assad like Quddafi should be remoned for their atrocities against their own people! These uprisings in north africa, and the middle east are the caliphate that glenn told us about. Iran is not a member of the Arab League! Could Iran, and Russia be working together, and in the long run take control of the entire region? That sounds like a crazy conspiracy!

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
  • welovetheUSA
    Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:45pm

    Russia is in Syria in a big way……….these protesters need to get the heck out of the streets and find another way, Syria is importand to the world in the middle east….protester will lose this battle.

    Report Post » welovetheUSA  
  • searching for the Truth
    Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:43pm

    This is just too much to bear. Go Trump/Palin.

    Report Post »  
  • ds7
    Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:41pm

    the sooner america gets out of the middle east the sooner the moslems can get back to killing each other.

    imagine the cry from the legacy media if this had been israelies trying to defend themselves from these religious fanatics.

    Report Post » ds7  
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on April 23, 2011 at 5:48pm

      The US needs to pull all it troops out of the Middle East – it is too costly in lives of our soldiers and it is too expensive. Bring our troops home!! http://wp.me/pYLB7-V0

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on April 23, 2011 at 7:23pm

      1966, tell that to your Boy King. He is your Commander-In-Chief.

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:17pm

    You know the government is P.O’d at you when it kills you and kills anyone that goes to your funeral.. Doooooooood…………. you messed up somewhere.

    Report Post »  
  • mossbrain
    Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:15pm

    At least they had the courtesy of shooting them on the way to the graveyard so that they could be buried right away.

    Report Post » mossbrain  
  • nosycophant
    Posted on April 23, 2011 at 3:56pm

    This is what the liberals want, its so cool.

    Report Post »  
  • jmbogstad
    Posted on April 23, 2011 at 3:46pm

    Looks like WWIII in the Mideast to me. Lighten up and watch this video for a good laugh:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhDPHb2RXI4

    Report Post »  
  • Nobamazone
    Posted on April 23, 2011 at 3:35pm

    Looks like we might be visiting Saudi Arabia next, http://www.debka.com/article/20858/
    nobama is not going to be too happy about that! does not fit in with the eliminate Israel agenda from our WH

    Report Post » Nobamazone  
    • and to the republic
      Posted on April 23, 2011 at 3:44pm

      This world is over as we have known it.

      Report Post »  
    • Cobra Blue
      Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:16pm

      Hey Obama…remember Liybia. Look familiar? Just wondering.

      Report Post »  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:20pm

      I really hate it for thembut since we are the little Satans, they should be on their own. What is it the leftists are always screaming about? Oh yeah, evolution… let nature take its course…

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • Showtime
      Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:26pm

      Do you think Obama “hears the voices” of the Syrian people? Or is he too busy campaigning and fund raising? No, wait — This is Easter weekend. He’s probably playing golf, has flittered off to Hawaii, or drinking beer in the White House Rose Garden. He doesn’t “have a life,” such as a ranch to go to, family in the country (they’re all in Kenya), or any honest, American friends. Maybe he’ll go smoke a cigar with Hugo Chavez.

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • Showtime
      Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:27pm

      I can hear Hillary now: “The government of Syria is stable.”

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • Nobamazone
      Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:31pm

      didn’t I hear on the news that nobama and hitlery were both to attend some big muslim event in DC this weekend? now that is a fine way for our demon in chief to spend Easter weekend.

      Report Post » Nobamazone  
    • Ironmaan
      Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:33pm

      It’s so nice to know that our president has created such wonderful change since becoming president. The economy is great, gas is cheap, the dollar is strong, the wars have ended, the world loves us and things continue to improve.
      http://guerillatics.com

      Report Post »  
    • missionarydad
      Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:56pm

      Obama just needs to resign and admit that he is in way over his head. Of course that is not going to happen, Dems only go down kicking and screaming with an army of lawyers and their party defending them. His policies and betrayal of Israel and long time allies has really opened up a can of worms all over the world. What we really need is for our next president to rise to the level of one of the greatest presidents our nation has ever had because the damage that Obama has done to our nation and world is absolutely catastrophic.

      Report Post »  
    • BetterDays
      Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:56pm

      Long after this sad affair is over, the bullets and mortars silent. There shall rise yet another, and another just like this in the geographical region we call the middle east. What makes the events different today in comparisons to the 4000 previous years of war in the middle east, is our nations seeming abandonment and disregard towards Israel.
      to say they middle east has ever been a stable region is laughable at best, peace as tenuous as it ever was is purchased through the iron grip of tyrants or zealots. Only one middle eastern nation Israel has not only the intent, but also the freedom to be at peace in that region. All other nations in that region are in a constant state of flux, moving from one extreme to another, seemingly at the mercy of the east wind.
      Susan Powers suggest we have a responsibility to protect, her husband Cass “ain’t no sunshine” Sunstein feeds the sheeple the premixed formula of left wing socialist bias and lies to sell the sheeple this bill of bads, and Barak is only to obliging to step in once again for humanitarian reasons at the CFR’s beck and call, and down the rabbit hole too hopelessness we go.
      Perhaps it is upon our military to step up and say, NO Sir! for them in unison to say “We swore an oath before GOD to uphold the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic” and to sat and united against this runaway train if socialistic lucifarianism that pervades this administration and nearly all our congress. Not to mention the disease’s spread throughout the States, city’s, and townships. We have but one opportunity to rid ourselves of this plague, but no doctor of remedy seems to be fighting, perhaps it is time for the patient (People) to heal herself.

      Report Post »  
    • avenger
      Posted on April 23, 2011 at 5:00pm

      wow…what a surprise..this is what despots do to hang on to their power. hey America let them do their shet and allah will sort it out…do you know these people hate the USA ! http://thereligionofpeace.com

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on April 23, 2011 at 5:04pm

      So I guess under his Protection Plan thing, the great failure of the White House will engage in another bit of foreign adventure to wear out our military and the people of the nation along with the economy and so much else…typical.

      Let our troops come home and we stay out of these foreign messes; I can see why the Syrian folks want a change of government, yet we NEED TO STAY OUT OF IT!!!

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Robert-CA
      Posted on April 23, 2011 at 5:20pm

      Taking down this Syrian regime will have a big impact on Iran & hezbollah .
      I wish that we were never involved in Libyan cause Syria in way more important than Libya .
      Syria sponsors & harbors all of the radical muslim extremists in the world + Syria is # 1 ally to Iran & hezbollah .

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • MODEL82A1
      Posted on April 23, 2011 at 7:16pm

      Didn’t Tut The Boy King tell the Assad regime not to do that?

      Report Post » MODEL82A1  

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