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Syria: Troops deployed in Damascus ahead of protests Syrians defy crackdown to protest over Assad regime
(about 3 hours later)
Security is tight in the Syrian capital Damascus as the country braces itself for another Friday of mass protests. Tens of thousands of Syrians have again taken to the streets for Friday protests, in defiance of the massive crackdown against them.
Rights activists say checkpoints had been set up, communications cut, houses searched and arrests made in a number of Damascus neighbourhoods. One human rights activist thought as many as 1.2 million people were taking part across the country.
This week's protests are dedicated to the central city of Homs, currently subject to a crackdown by government troops, the AFP news agency reports. Security was tight in the capital Damascus, with checkpoints set up, communications cut and arrests made.
Activists say at least 50 people have been killed in Homs since Saturday. There are reports of gunfire and tear gas being used against several demonstrations.
Activists say at least one person has been killed in Aleppo in north-west Syria, and another in the central city of Homs.
Police reportedly used batons as well as tear gas break up a protest in the mainly-Kurdish city of Qamishli.
Marches were also taking place in other Kurdish towns, in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, in the southern town of Sueweida and in the north-west province of Idlib.
There were also reports of demonstrations in Homs, 160km (100 miles) from Damascus, which has been subject to a massive military crackdown in recent days.
Activists say at least 50 people have been killed in Homs - which has been at the heart of the four-month uprising - since Saturday.
'Completely isolated'
Observers say the heavy military presence in Damascus is in response to last Friday, which saw some of the largest protests since the anti-government uprising began in March. Around 30 people were killed.Observers say the heavy military presence in Damascus is in response to last Friday, which saw some of the largest protests since the anti-government uprising began in March. Around 30 people were killed.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the districts of Qabun and Rukneddin had a heavily military presence, with barricades and checkpoints set up at entrances and exits.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the districts of Qabun and Rukneddin had a heavily military presence, with barricades and checkpoints set up at entrances and exits.
"Rukneddin is completely isolated," the group's Rami Abdel Rahman told the AFP news agency. "Thousands of security officers are patrolling and conducting searches of homes and making arrests.""Rukneddin is completely isolated," the group's Rami Abdel Rahman told the AFP news agency. "Thousands of security officers are patrolling and conducting searches of homes and making arrests."
One activist in Damascus, Abu, told the BBC that communications and electricity in Harasta and Duman districts have been switched off.One activist in Damascus, Abu, told the BBC that communications and electricity in Harasta and Duman districts have been switched off.
He said that troops appeared to be changing tactics - "kidnapping people from streets and coffee shops" rather than arresting activists in their homes. He said that the security agents appeared to be changing tactics - "kidnapping people from streets and coffee shops" rather than arresting activists in their homes.
And Abu predicts the crackdown will increase in the lead up to Ramadan.And Abu predicts the crackdown will increase in the lead up to Ramadan.
"Ramadan is soon and, in Ramadan, each day is like a Friday," he said. "We believe the government is trying to stop the activists before Ramadan.""Ramadan is soon and, in Ramadan, each day is like a Friday," he said. "We believe the government is trying to stop the activists before Ramadan."
Gunfire and explosions
Despite the crackdown in the capital, hundreds of thousands of Syrians elsewhere in the country were reportedly out on the streets again after Friday prayers.
More than 400,000 people had gathered in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, one activist said, while hundreds were said to be marching in Kurdish towns in the north-east province of Hasaka.
Marches were also taking place in the southern town of Suweida and in the north-west province of Idlib, the AFP reports.
There were also reports of demonstrations in Homs, 160km (100 miles) from Damascus.
Homs, at the heart of the uprising, has been subject to a massive military crackdown in recent days. Tanks were seen patrolling the city and heavy gunfire and explosions could be heard.
International journalists have been denied access to Syria so it is difficult to verify reports.International journalists have been denied access to Syria so it is difficult to verify reports.
Human rights groups say that about 1,400 civilians and 350 security forces personnel have died in the four months of protest.Human rights groups say that about 1,400 civilians and 350 security forces personnel have died in the four months of protest.
The government blames the unrest on "armed criminal gangs" backed by a foreign conspiracy.The government blames the unrest on "armed criminal gangs" backed by a foreign conspiracy.
Syria's anti-government protests, inspired by events in Tunisia and Egypt, first erupted in mid-March after the arrest of a group of teenagers who spray-painted a revolutionary slogan on a wall. The protests soon spread, and human rights activists and opposition groups say 1,700 people have died in the turmoil, while thousands more have been injured.
Although the arrest of the teenagers in the southern city of Deraa first prompted people to take to the streets, unrest has since spread to other areas, including Hama, Homs, Latakia, Jisr al-Shughour and Baniyas. Demonstrators are demanding greater freedom, an end to corruption, and, increasingly, the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.
President Assad's government has responded to the protests with overwhelming military force, sending tanks and troops into at least nine towns and cities. In Deraa and Homs - where protests have persisted
Syria's anti-government protests, inspired by events in Tunisia and Egypt, first erupted in mid-March after the arrest of a group of teenagers who spray-painted a revolutionary slogan on a wall. The protests soon spread, and human rights activists and opposition groups say 1,700 people have died in the turmoil, while thousands more have been injured.
Although the arrest of the teenagers in the southern city of Deraa first prompted people to take to the streets, unrest has since spread to other areas, including Hama, Homs, Latakia, Jisr al-Shughour and Baniyas. Demonstrators are demanding greater freedom, an end to corruption, and, increasingly, the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.
President Assad's government has responded to the protests with overwhelming military force, sending tanks and troops into at least nine towns and cities. In Deraa and Homs - where protests have persisted