At Least 15 Killed in Protests Across Syria
June 25, 2011
VOA News
=======================================================
Photo: Reuters
Protesters march through the streets after Friday prayers in the Hajar Al Asswad in Damascus, Syria, June 24, 2011
June 25, 2011
VOA News
=======================================================
Photo: Reuters
Protesters march through the streets after Friday prayers in the Hajar Al Asswad in Damascus, Syria, June 24, 2011
================================================
Witnesses and activists in Syria say at least 15 people were killed Friday when security forces fired on crowds as tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets nationwide in another round of demonstrations aimed at overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad.
The demonstrators gathered throughout the north and around the capital, Damascus, despite a heavy military presence and the fear of the continuing military crackdown. Protesters have been under assault by pro-government forces for more than 100 days.
Rami Abdel Rahman, an activist with the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told the French news agency by telephone from the town of Kiswah that security forces opened fire on demonstrators there and wounded an unknown number of people.
The Reuters news agency said one resident in Barzeh told it that security forces first used tear gas against the demonstrators, then started shooting at them from rooftops when the shouting against Mr. Assad continued.
In the Damascus suburb of Irbin, protesters shouted, "Tell the world Bashar is without legitimacy."
Deaths were reported near Damascus and elsewhere. Syrian state-run television blamed "armed gangs" for shooting at security forces in a Damascus suburb, killing three people.
Details of Friday's violence have not been independently confirmed, largely because Syria does not permit outside media to cover protests. Activists say Syria's crackdown has killed at least 1,400 people in the last three months.
Turkish officials said Friday that more than 1,500 Syrian refugees crossed the border into Turkey after Syrian troops stormed the town of Khirbet al-Jouz.
According to Turkish government estimates, nearly 12,000 Syrians are now housed in massive tent encampments in Turkey.
Syrian troops are said to be within 500 meters of the border.
Syria's deployment is the closest its troops have come to Turkish territory since military operations in the area began two weeks ago. Turkish troops moved their border positions several hundred meters back, apparently to avoid potential confrontations with Syrian units.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the border scene is "very worrisome," and has warned Syria to pull back its troops. She says their presence is worsening an already bad situation for refugees and risks sparking border clashes with the Turks.
Witnesses and activists in Syria say at least 15 people were killed Friday when security forces fired on crowds as tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets nationwide in another round of demonstrations aimed at overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad.
The demonstrators gathered throughout the north and around the capital, Damascus, despite a heavy military presence and the fear of the continuing military crackdown. Protesters have been under assault by pro-government forces for more than 100 days.
Rami Abdel Rahman, an activist with the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told the French news agency by telephone from the town of Kiswah that security forces opened fire on demonstrators there and wounded an unknown number of people.
The Reuters news agency said one resident in Barzeh told it that security forces first used tear gas against the demonstrators, then started shooting at them from rooftops when the shouting against Mr. Assad continued.
In the Damascus suburb of Irbin, protesters shouted, "Tell the world Bashar is without legitimacy."
Deaths were reported near Damascus and elsewhere. Syrian state-run television blamed "armed gangs" for shooting at security forces in a Damascus suburb, killing three people.
Details of Friday's violence have not been independently confirmed, largely because Syria does not permit outside media to cover protests. Activists say Syria's crackdown has killed at least 1,400 people in the last three months.
Turkish officials said Friday that more than 1,500 Syrian refugees crossed the border into Turkey after Syrian troops stormed the town of Khirbet al-Jouz.
According to Turkish government estimates, nearly 12,000 Syrians are now housed in massive tent encampments in Turkey.
Syrian troops are said to be within 500 meters of the border.
Syria's deployment is the closest its troops have come to Turkish territory since military operations in the area began two weeks ago. Turkish troops moved their border positions several hundred meters back, apparently to avoid potential confrontations with Syrian units.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the border scene is "very worrisome," and has warned Syria to pull back its troops. She says their presence is worsening an already bad situation for refugees and risks sparking border clashes with the Turks.
=================================================
voanews.com/english/news/Activists-At-Least-15-Killed-in-Protests-Across-Syria-124534669.html
No comments:
Post a Comment