Demonstrators in Syria are Being Shot

The anti-government demonstrations in Syria have produced some serious casualties after the security forces in the southwestern city of Daraa shot the protesters. The death toll in the city has reached 37 victims, according to the Human Rights Watch. This Friday, the security forces opened fire with live ammunition and tear gas to the demonstrations occurring in the center of Syria. The protesters tried to destroy a statue of Assad’s late father, and former president Hafez al-Assad.

Demonstrators have informed to the press that tens of thousands gathered to denounce that the president’s brother and head of the Republican Guard, Maher al-Assad, is responsible for authorizing security forces to attack protesters. The demonstrations have escalated outside Daraa, now the cities of Damascus, Homs, Latakia, Hama, and Sanamein have also began to protest.

The demonstrations demand freedom and peace, meanwhile the security forces began to shoot down protesters in Latakia and Homs, fatalities in those locations have already been reported. In the capital, Damascus, hundreds of civilians marched out of the historic Ummayad Mosque after the Friday prayers to a planned anti-government demonstration. The Ministry of Information, Reem Haddad, stated to al-Jazeera that the security forces were ordered, “not to shoot anyone, no matter what.” However, security forces could retaliate against armed groups of demonstrators.

Source: The Washington Post