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Syrians defy crackdown to protest over Assad regime | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Tens of thousands of Syrians have again taken to the streets for Friday protests, in defiance of the massive crackdown against them. | |
One human rights activist thought as many as 1.2 million people were taking part across the country. | |
Security was tight in the capital Damascus, with checkpoints set up, communications cut and arrests made. | |
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 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." |
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. |