BEIRUT – Syrian security forces shot dead at least 34 demonstrators in Hama yesterday, according to one activist, in one of the bloodiest incidents in the crackdown on an 11-week-old revolt against President Bashar al-Assad’s rule.
In a pattern seen every Friday since mid-March, protesters marched out of mosques after noon prayers, to be met by security forces intent on crushing a revolt against Mr Assad, who has been in power in Syria for the past 11 years.
Three residents said security forces and snipers fired at tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in the city centre in one of the biggest protests seen so far in Hama, and scores of wounded were taken to a nearby hospital.
Syrian forces also opened fire on demonstrations in the eastern city of Deir al-Zor and in the Barzeh district of Damascus. – (Reuters)