Syrian Security Forces Attack and Kill More Than 20 People
- Posted on May 20, 2011 at 12:41pm by
Billy Hallowell
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BEIRUT (The Blaze/AP) — Syrian security forces opened fire on protests around the country Friday in the latest sign the conflict could be moving toward a long and bloody stalemate as President Bashar Assad shrugged off tighter sanctions and U.S. calls to step aside. At least 21 people were killed, including a 10-year-old boy.
The clashes indicate neither side appears able to tip the scales in the two-month uprising. Assad’s forces have waged a relentless crackdown on the opposition, but protesters continue to face down security forces with marches seeking to break the Syrian leader’s authoritarian rule.
Human rights groups say more than 850 people have been killed in the clashes and clampdowns. Below, watch the tragic clip of a young boy killed during today’s government crackdown:
Witnesses reported protests Friday in the central cities of Homs and Hama; outside the capital of Damascus, and the Mediterranean ports of Banias and Latakia.
Like most witnesses contacted by The Associated Press, the residents asked that their names not be used in fear of reprisals from the government.
Last week, mass arrests and heavy security kept crowds below previous levels seen during the uprising, suggesting Assad’s sweeping campaign of intimidation was working. But the marches Friday suggested that opposition forces could be trying to regroup.
Rami Abdul-Rahman, directory of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Friday’s protests were more widespread and larger than the previous week.
“There were large numbers from the south to the north to the suburbs, and there were protests in besieged cities and towns,” he said. “Despite the heavy security and military presence in almost all these places, people staged protests calling for freedom. This is very significant.”
Friday’s death toll was reported by Syrian human rights activist Mustafa Osso. He said the tally included six in Homs, including the boy; six in the southern village of Sanamein; two in the Damascus suburb of Daraya, and three in the eastern town of Boukamal near the Iraq border.
Osso said witnesses also were reporting that the army deployed tanks around the northern town of Maaret al-Numan, which has seen intense protests.The Local Coordination Committees in Syria, which help organize the protests, said dozens of people were wounded in the town and hospitals were calling for blood donations.
Syria is coming under increasing pressure to end the crackdown, but the government has brushed off the criticism and new U.S. sanctions that have targeted Assad and senior aides.
In an address Thursday on the Arab world uprising, U.S. President Barack Obama said that Assad should lead his country to democracy or “get out of the way.”
Syria‘s official news agency said Obama’s speech amounted to “incitement.” Syria has blamed the unrest on armed thugs and foreign agitators.
Also Friday, leading Sunni Muslim cleric Sheik Karim Rajeh, the imam of Damascus’s Al-Hassan mosque, said he will no longer lead Friday sermons because security forces have been preventing people from going to prayers. The weekly demonstrations mostly kick off after prayers.
Syria has banned foreign journalists and prevented local reporters from covering trouble spots, making it nearly impossible to independently verify witness accounts.
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Comments (59)
temple62
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 8:24pmWhy such a low body count? These Syrians must be poor shots or need their weapons calibrated. Perhaps American advisers could help them with this obvious problem!
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 6:37pmWhat idiot decided to bring his 10 yr. old son to a demonstration where the army is known for it’s itchy trigger fingers?
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 6:34pm“Come my son. You are 10 years old now. It is time that you come with me to the streets and learn the ways of demonstration. Here…carry this sign. We shall march for Hamas and the brotherhood.”
Report Post »Bam!
“OH S*&T! The army has shot my son. No doubt a jew in their midst. Oh well…he is fondling a virgin now.”
Tyr
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 6:21pmAnd if some Americans comandeered miltary weapons and took to the streets trying to oust our criminal government, don’t you think those “Patriots” would be shot down by OUR military and police? I wonder what nations would saction the United States for killing American citizens that only wanted to oust the Socialist/Marxists and return to a Constitutional Republic? Hmmmmm.
Report Post »gingervitis
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 5:30pmMoslems killing Moslems – Priceless.
Report Post »gingervitis
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 5:28pmI like that idea of Moslem Spring cleaning excect for Obama killing america and Israel.Their Islamic Holy Chiefton Obama is making way for the Moslem Brotherhood to rule the earth.
Report Post »Marker12
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:53pmI thought Hillary told us Assad was a reformer. I can’t believe with her vast experience in foreign policy she would get this wrong. We should send Jimmy Carter over there to march with the protesters.
Report Post »thegodfather
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:43pmPLEASE Glenn. Play clip of ultra lib Dennis Kucinich telling us how “compassionate” Assad was, when Dennis visited him on his fantasy-camp run for president. On the same trip he PURPOSELY did not visit the American troops in Iraq or Afghanistan…many who died from his own district……because he felt it would “legitimize ” the war.
Let the world know how clueless the left is.
Report Post »ED4237
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:32pmWow what a shock a totaliatarin regime killing it’s people for control. This government here wants to put sanctions on them oh no their scared.
Report Post »Beckster2
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:15pmand these are the kinds of leaders that Obama wants to force Israel to make peace with
Report Post »historypaper
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:06pmObama woke up from his hour long nap with Netanyahu and discovered Syrian neighbors of Israel are killing their citizens again.
Report Post »I’m confident that Obama doesn’t understand Cowboys and Indians but Netanyahu is wearing the white hat and his neighbors are the Indian savages.
The Islamic Desert Hoboes got the green light from Obama but Netanyahu just turned it to red.
I’m also confident that Obama will be jumping for his bottle tonight and be drunker than a skunk that he is.
spirited
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 3:03pmExactly what is the killing for?
….Thousands of years (way before Islam was even imagined), and they are still killing themselves.
Michele needs to talk to th0se f0lks –and tell them they need to change their traditions.
>Some f0lks just aren’t educable!
Report Post »flsnipe
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 2:29pmOnly 20? They need to go full auto and a few rpg or rpk rookies.
Report Post »concealled9mms
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:56pmso now with over a thousand dead adolph obamma does nothing. why are we stuck with this black moron. colonel west hes not
Report Post »cntrlfrk
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:50pmObama keeps pushing buttons in the Middle East.
This place is about to explode, and the blood is on his hands.
Report Post »trooper
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:49pmIt’s muslime blood, who really cares. Every one they kill will their amunition saves on the ammo we will need to kill the rest of them in the near future.
Report Post »1stAdmendment
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:47pmWhat’s the problem, it’s says in the qoran that if you rise against your government your condemned to death! And Assad is on the UN human rights council, so I‘m sure he’s not hurting anybody! It’s not Americas buissnes let rip each others heads off!!
Report Post »www.TRUTH.ws
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:30pmThey can’t even trust themselves. Turning against each other. I say NO MORE foreign aid to anyone until we get our house in order. Just my two cents.
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:30pm“We dont belong in either in my opinion. And I’m wondering where are the cries for Obama to remove our troops from Afghanistan now that OBL is dead?”
___________________________________________________________________________
“I’m sorry, but Syria and Lybia is not our business. And I’ve lost my patience with Afganistan and Iraq.”
___________________________________________________________________________
The Founders that believed in keeping out of others affairs unless there is a direct threat to the US had the right idea.
We got Bin Laden…get out of afghanistan.
We should not have gotten involved in Iraq…get out of Iraq.
Libya posses no threat to the US…get out of Libya.
The other Arabic states are currently not threatening the US…don’t get involved.
As another conservative talk show host likes to say, “when you take a side, there is another side that will then be mad at you”.
Report Post »trooper
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:09pmThat’s all they could get, no news here. Tell us when they shoot more than 200,000 and that would be good news for all of mankind.
Report Post »inexiletill2012
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:04pmAhhhhhhhh !
Springtime in Syria…..sO wOnderfull
Report Post »Susan Harkins
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:31pm~LOL
(;;;birds chirping, babbling brook, heads rolling, etc;;;)
Report Post »Aaron in Polk County
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:04pmOnly 20 people?! Syrian security forces suck.
Report Post »1stAdmendment
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:51pmThey need Americas help, and BHO wants to help so badly!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:03pmMust be Israel’s fault, huh Barry?
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:32pmC’mon Gonzo…obviously it is Bush’s fault! : D
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 2:03pmHe’s got enough blame to spread between the two, I’m sure.
Report Post »adouglass1
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 12:56pmWait a minute I thought the Messiah in chief told Syria to stop this yesterday!! Wait they did not listen? Im shocked!! mocking tone is included…
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:07pmI’m pretty sure everyone in the Mid East (including our only ally) thinks Barry is a joke. Hey, maybe he HAS reconciled the world, in total disdain for himself.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 2:55pmThey DO NOT think he is a joke. They KNOW it to be a Fact.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 12:42pmArab Spring Cleansing
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 12:44pmSo we “help” Libya but just watch the events in Syria. Does Mr. Obama draw names out of a hat? Throw darts at a world map? Maybe a giant Wheel of Fortune?
Report Post »Susan Harkins
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 12:45pmYes but is this REALLY news? Dont bulls sometimes stampede? Dont sharks bite? Dont these people behead people?
Report Post »ozchambers
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 12:48pmThey better be careful or Obama is gonna give them a real talking to! Interesting how he picks and chooses where he intervenes. Libya gets “nato” airstrikes while Syria gets ignored. We dont belong in either in my opinion. And I’m wondering where are the cries for Obama to remove our troops from Afghanistan now that OBL is dead? How can we even know when to call the war in Afghanistan a victory?? Getting OBL was a perfect opportunity to call it a win and get out. Clearly Obama doesnt want our boys and girls here at home.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 12:55pm@82nd Airborne:
Europe receives most of its oil from Libya, and Obama is using this to bleed Europe dry militarily and financially while pushing them further into the arms of the socialists camp and the Soviet Union once again…sorry, I have to now say, Russians and the old KGB guru Putin…
Report Post »coladude
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:07pmSad to see this still happening.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:07pm@Snow
Here I thought we had a “responsibility to protect!”
Report Post »sooner12
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:11pmI’m sorry, but Syria and Lybia is not our business. And I’ve lost my patience with Afganistan and Iraq. But the freedom of Israel needs to be preserved which this president has abondoned.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:14pmWhen is BO going to do something about the genocide on the Mexican border??? In syria it’s their problem, over here in America The Genocide just to the south is our problem. In 2012 WE the PEOPLE need to fix it!!!
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:16pmWith Gadhaffi Obama said “We have a madate” because Gadhaffi supposedly was going to hurt his people. In Syria we have seen similar scenes of the government killing their people play out on a regular basis yet we apparently don’t have the same mandate. I find that interesting. What is the difference between the two Mr. President? Other than an extremely inconsistant foreign policy?
Report Post »Aaron in Polk County
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:17pmI bet the 82nd Airborne could get more than 20 protestors.
Report Post »burned at edges
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:27pmObamas support for arab protesters is invertedly related to how friendly the countrys current administration is to the west…the less the adminstration likes the west the less help the protesters will get from Hussein Obama.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:27pm@Aaron in Polk County
Protesters? No. Enemy combatants? You can count on it.
Report Post »burned at edges
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:29pmWhen is Obama going to announce we will send financial support to the islamic demonstrators in France and England?
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:45pmLibiyans killing Libiyans, Syrians killing Syrians, Afghans killing everybody, Iraqis totally confused on who to kill and the Iranians sitting like a big fat spider pulling threads of the web marked Hamas Hezbolla and the Muslim Brotherhood. Do we see a common denominator here?? Yes children, it is Islam and the worship of the pedophile Mohammed and the false God Allah(read Satan) The only country over there that is not killing it’s own people willy-nilly is the one we just sold down the river. Bring our troops hme from Afghanistan and Iraq if you are not going to let them fight to win. Bring our troops home from Europe, why are they still there?? If you must place troops in harms way in a foreign land make it Isreal, although they don’t really need the help, the gesture might be appreciated. At least there they fight to win. Bring it trolls, mock me if you dare, your words are as useless as your pitiful lives.
Report Post »muhamadhater
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:46pmBottom line.. the USA needs to bring back assasinations and take this pos out… and anyone like him! Its not like Americas enemy wouldnt assisnate our presidents if they had a chance!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 2:03pm@82nd Airborne:
According to the admin there is the “R2P” mandate. The fact is though, Mr Obama and his cronies are also using it to bleed dry the remaining major opposition of military and economic support the EU has availible…then they can use it there for the socialists and progressives to have the system cave into their version of the new structure like here in America.
Report Post »J4YM3
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 2:14pm….and coming to a street near you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msrq4lGqzK8
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 2:57pmArm both sides then leave them alone to work out their differences…
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 4:30pmObama’s friends at it again.
Report Post »carnifex
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 5:23pmSyria has a real army not like Libya. Can’t have too many American body bags or no re-election. It really is that simple. Course an Arab army can be defeated by Maxwell Smarts “mean kid with a pea-shooter” I haven’t paid close attention to Syria, I assume the “Muslim Brotherhood” is there also. It is rather ubiquitous. And so, I don’t care. Let ‘em kill each other. Hell I‘ll send ’em bullets, give me an address. I wonder, is it a coincidence that Israel is the only country in the ME were you can practice different religions safely? That Israel is the only democracy in the ME. That Israel is the only country in the ME that can actually feed itself? And our beloved president, President F@#$wad, I like to call him, just tried to urinate on? Yeah, good call there Barry. Ahh the perfect adjective for Barry today, “Can you say ‘PUTZ’ I knew you could!”
CHIVALRY–NOT ALL GIRLS LIKE IT. JUST THE ONES WORTH DYING FOR.
Report Post »carnifex
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 5:26pm@ BIGJAYINPA
Rock on dude. Dat’s da way I feel too. You get 3 snaps in the “Z for Zorro” formation.
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 5:28amJust think of how many Jews the Syrians could kill if Obama can force Israel to give the Golan Heights back to Syria.
Report Post »