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Syria protests 'leave four dead' in Deraa | |
(40 minutes later) | |
At least four people have been shot dead during anti-government protests in the southern Syrian city of Deraa, witnesses have told the BBC. | |
The witnesses said other protesters had been wounded but the numbers were not clear. | |
Thousands of people are reported to have staged pro-democracy rallies in the city following Friday prayers. | Thousands of people are reported to have staged pro-democracy rallies in the city following Friday prayers. |
Protests across Syria have posed an unprecedented challenge to President Bashar al-Assad's 11-year rule. | |
Deraa has been the focus of the protests that erupted in mid-March. | |
Eyewitnesses said security forces had opened fire on crowds chanting pro-democracy slogans, the BBC's Lina Sinjab reports. | |
Another activist in Deraa told AFP news agency by telephone that demonstrators leaving from three mosques had marched to the city's main court but were confronted by "security forces dressed in civilian clothing" who fired tear gas to disperse them. | |
He said protesters threw stones and clashes ensued. | |
State television showed footage from the protests and said that "saboteurs and conspirators opened fire on residents and security forces". | |
The town of Duma, near Damascus, has also been sealed off, our correspondent adds. | |
Internet and mobile phone communications there have also been blocked. | |
Are you in Syria? Have you witnessed any of the protests? Send us your comments and experiences. | |
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