US says Iran helps crackdown in Syria

Security forces detained more than 350 men during sweeping raids in the town of Baida. Anti-government protests have broken out in the town of Aleppo.

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A human rights group claimed that Syrian security forces have killed more than 200 people for protesting against President Assad’s government. Security forces opened fire on protesters in the village of Bayda; no casualties have been disclosed.

Security forces attacked student protesters at the University of Damascus, killing one and wounding and detaining dozens of others. The Muslim Brotherhood now backs the anti-government protests.

Armed men loyal to President Bashir Assad opened fire on anti-government protesters in Banias. Security forces also deployed to the oil refinery in Banias, one of two in the country.

Syrian forces killed at least 36 people yesterday after opening fire on apparently peaceful protesters; today the government vowed to crack down further. Across the country, protests are growing. The government blames “outsiders and those who were compelled by known foreign parties” for the unrest.

Security forces killed 19 protesters after opening fire on crowds in Duraa. Protests have also been reported in the Islamist bastion of Hama.

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Security forces killed four anti-government protesters in the Damascus suburb of Douma. Police later arrested 21 protesters in Daraa and Homs.

The International Atomic Energy Agency is inspecting a suspected nuclear facility in Homs in western Syria. Anti-government protests were held in Damascus, Latakia, and Banias.

Syria TV accused an Egyptian-American activist currently in custody of attempting to “destabilize Syria.” President Assad claimed the government would draft new anti-terrorism laws as a first step to lifting the emergency laws that have been in effect since 1963.

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President Assad’s cabinet resigned in an attempt to placate anti-government protesters. Tens of thousands of Syrians held pro-government rallies across the country.

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Security forces opened fire on protesters in Duraa; casualties have not yet been reported. Security forces also arrested an American citizen and accused him of inciting protests against the Assad regime.

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Twelve protesters and members of the security forces were killed during clashes in Latakia. The government claimed it would lift the emergency orders implemented in 1963; no timetable was given.

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The Syrian government released 260 prisoners in an effort to placate protesters, who have torched political and security headquarters in Deraa. Fifty-five protesters are estimated to have been killed during the uprising.

Protests continued in several cities, with crowds crying “Freedom!”; soldiers shot at demonstrators in Daraa and detained others. Activists say as many as 50,000 have marched in protests and as many as 100 have been killed in the government crackdown. Protest leaders rejected President Assad’s offer of promised concessions.

Nearly 20,000 people marched today at funerals for protesters killed in the recent crackdown; reports say 37 were shot yesterday by Syrian forces. President Assad has responded by offering possible concessions, including an end to Syria’s 48-year term of emergency rule.

Security forces killed six people during an assault at a mosque in the city of Duraa. Protesters have used the Omari mosque as a base of operations for demonstrations against President Assad’s regime.

Protests continue in Daraa and Nawa, where security forces killed five people and wounded 300 more. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called on Syria to launch a probe into the attacks on protesters.

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Security forces in Deraa fired teargas to break up crowds gathered at the funeral of two people killed during protests on March 18. Several people were injured and one was arrested.
