At Least 24 Reported Slain in Syria Crackdowns

Tens of Thousands Protest in Syria as Crackdown Continues

Human Rights Activists in Syria reported today that at least 24 protesters were killed nationwide, as the massive Friday demonstrations took place yet again, and were met with the same violent crackdowns as in the past.

But as usual, the violence had no effect on the demonstrations, as tens of thousands of people took to the streets nationwide and marches continued in many cities even after security forces launched their attacks.

Much of the violence came in and around the city of Homs, while the town of Aleppo saw its first deaths as well. Scores of injuries were also reported in the crackdown, though the exact size was unclear as a number of the wounded were reportedly arrested.

In many ways this made today’s Friday virtually identical to previous ones over the past several weeks, but with some 10,000 refugees now reportedly in Turkey, the prospect of the Turkish government intervening in the situation seems to be growing.

Of course, fighting was not limited to northern Syria or indeed to territorial Syria at all, as pro and anti-regime forces clashed in neighboring Lebanon. At least six people were killed and 22 others wounded in Lebanon before the Lebanese Army broke up the fighting.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.