Syrian troops shoot unarmed civilians : Al Arabiya
June 3rd, 2011 - 11:09 pm ICT by IANS
Moscow, June 3 (IANS) Government troops in Syria shot dead at least two unarmed civilians in the city of Ankahal Friday, as President Bashar Assad’s regime continued its violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests, the Al Arbiya TV channel said.
An activist group told Al Arabiya at least two people were killed after troops bombarded Ankhal with artillery and heavy machinegun fire.
The Local Coordination Committees, which help organise and document Syria’s protests, said troops also shot at residents fleeing the bombardment of Rastan.
A fresh wave of demonstrations and rallies swept across Syria Friday, after opposition groups called for protests against casualties among children during the recent weeks of violence.
Opposition activists say at least 25 young people have died in the recent protests against Assad’s regime.
Syria has remained completely offline since Friday morning, the country’s state telephone and internet service said.
Activists have organised the protests through the Facebook and Twitter networking sites.
Syria has severed its internet connections several times in the most restless territories in a bid to suppress the protests, but this is the first time internet services in Syria have been closed down nationwide.
Pro-democracy protests have taken place in Syria for the last two-and-a-half months. The first protests demanding Assad’s resignation and more democratic freedoms took place in the city of Deraa in mid-March, and the opposition campaign soon spread to other Syrian regions.
Over 1,000 people have been killed since the beginning of the unrest in the country, Syrian rights activists claim.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
sd/vm
- Obama condemns Syrian regime's "outrageous use" of violence - Apr 23, 2011
- Syrian security forces open fire on mourners - Apr 23, 2011
- Italy recalls ambassador to Syria, urges EU countries to do the same - Aug 02, 2011
- Put pressure on Assad: Italy urges nations - Jul 28, 2012
- Syria 'surprised' by Qatar's call to send Arab troops into the country - Jan 17, 2012
- Russia issues advisory against visiting Syria - May 05, 2011
- Over 3,000 protesters rally in Syria - May 14, 2011
- India asks its citizens, mission staff to leave Syria - Jul 24, 2012
- Indians in Syria asked to leave (Lead) - Jul 24, 2012
- U.S. government sanctions three Syrian companies - Aug 10, 2011
- At least 55 killed in Syria pro-democracy violence - Mar 26, 2011
- Syria suspended from Arab League - Nov 13, 2011
- 'Anonymous' hacks Syrian government website - Aug 08, 2011
- US, Britain and Saudi Arabia call for immediate end to Syrian crackdown - Aug 14, 2011
- Syria seeks India's support against 'Western propaganda' - Aug 02, 2011
Tags: activist group, al arabiya, al arbiya, bombardment, coordination committees, democratic freedoms, facebook, government troops, machinegun, mid march, opposition activists, opposition campaign, opposition groups, president bashar assad, state telephone, syrian troops, time internet, twitter, unarmed civilians, violent crackdown