Protests erupt in Syrian cities; at least 34 reported dead
Syrian soldiers prepare to hand over an elderly Syrian woman who was caught trying to cross the border into northern Lebanon.
May 20th, 2011
03:10 PM ET

Protests erupt in Syrian cities; at least 34 reported dead

[Updated at 3:10 p.m.] Anti-government demonstrations broke out Friday in Syria after weekly Muslim prayers, with activists reporting at least 34 deaths amid clashes between security forces and protesters.

The Syria Human Rights Information Link told CNN that at least 11 people died in the western industrial city of Homs when security forces fired at crowds.

For two months, Syria has been torn by street protests against political repression and a fierce security crackdown against demonstrators. The government's tough and violent actions toward marchers and its thousands of mass arrests have drawn widespread criticism.

Demonstrations erupted after Friday prayers in Syrian cities, as they have for weeks.

The United States has imposed sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and other senior officials. On Thursday, President Barack Obama singled out Syria for criticism during his speech on the Middle East.

A rights activist in Homs described thick black smoke hanging over the city as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets demanding al-Assad's ouster.

According to the rights activist, the demonstrators gathered from several neighborhoods around Homs.

The demonstrators chanted slogans calling for the release of political detainees and demanded freedom, equality and fundamental reforms, the activist said. As the crowd grew, security forces fired shots in the air and tried to disperse the gathering.

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soundoff (21 Responses)
  1. Scottish Mama

    They need their military to join them the resistance and oust the President Bashar Al-Assad.

    May 20, 2011 at 11:20 am | Report abuse |
  2. Riff*Raff

    @Scottish Mama-Their miitary is run by al-Assad's brother-whle Bashar pleads ignorance. The military is who is doing the killing of the civilians/protesters. Im not sure if he was included in the sanctions this week or not. I would hope so.

    May 20, 2011 at 1:47 pm | Report abuse |
  3. RUFFNUTT

    hi trolly...

    May 20, 2011 at 3:14 pm | Report abuse |
  4. banasy

    This is just insanity!
    So much for those sanctions...

    May 20, 2011 at 3:37 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Riff*Raff

    For such religious countries-Libya & Syria-I find it ironic that they ambush civilians after prayers. Who will be left to govern if they kill everyone? They started finding mass graves last week.

    May 20, 2011 at 4:48 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Jazzzzzzzz

    Politcians and Governments don't follow Gods law.... the y follow MANS law.

    May 20, 2011 at 5:04 pm | Report abuse |
  7. jon

    @banasy, unfortunately sanctions have never worked. If they had the U.N. Would've used sanctions on Darfor along time ago.

    May 20, 2011 at 5:28 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Ellis from Panama

    Dreadful.

    May 20, 2011 at 5:50 pm | Report abuse |
  9. EV

    "God's law"?
    There is no god dummy. God is a myth created by man. Religion is the source of most conflict on this planet. It's people killing people over who has the better imaginary friend.
    Nuke 'em all to dust.

    May 20, 2011 at 6:00 pm | Report abuse |
    • Atheist'sMD

      EV..Your Sociopathy is secondary to God Allergy. They are typical symptoms of aUtheism.

      There is but insignificant cases have been reported. It's not contagious yet needs confinement and quarantine.

      But don't you worry there's apill for that.

      May 20, 2011 at 6:45 pm | Report abuse |
  10. RiseandFall

    Gadhafi's downfall becomes imminent. It's in the pattern.

    May 20, 2011 at 6:21 pm | Report abuse |
  11. EV

    Well if god is so great why do i play with poop balls? will s e x always hurt my b u t t? i need answers!!!

    May 20, 2011 at 7:18 pm | Report abuse |
  12. EV's troll

    Ev got trolled ev got trolled!

    May 20, 2011 at 7:27 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Cricket

    @jon:
    I think banasy was joking, using sarcasm, if you will. There seems to be a lot of that going around lately.

    May 20, 2011 at 8:51 pm | Report abuse |
  14. Ellis from Panama

    Cricket you give me the creeps. Zip it.

    May 20, 2011 at 10:47 pm | Report abuse |
  15. Lalo

    Have no respect for any one, those are criminal of the country, not the soldier of it,. she can be any ones mother that old lady .
    Dam you ASS-ad.

    May 20, 2011 at 11:05 pm | Report abuse |
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