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Syria protests 'leave four dead' in Deraa Syrian city of Deraa hit by deadly clashes
(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. At least 13 protesters have been killed during anti-government rallies 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. Residents near the Al Omari mosque said they had seen at least 13 bodies in that area and more wounded.
Thousands of people are reported to have staged pro-democracy rallies in the city following Friday prayers. However, officials said only a member of the security forces and an ambulance worker had been killed.
Protests across Syria have posed an unprecedented challenge to President Bashar al-Assad's 11-year rule. Deraa has been a focus of unrest since anti-government protests erupted across Syria in mid-March.
Deraa has been the focus of the protests that erupted in mid-March. The protests have posed an unprecedented challenge to President Bashar al-Assad's 11-year rule.
Thousands are reported to have staged rallies following Friday prayers in Deraa.
Eyewitnesses said security forces had opened fire on crowds chanting pro-democracy slogans, the BBC's Lina Sinjab reports.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.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. He said protesters had thrown stones and clashes ensued.
A resident quoted by Reuters reported seeing "pools of blood and three bodies" in the Mahatta area of Deraa.
The official Sana news agency said one member of the security forces and an ambulance worker had been killed and dozens of other people wounded.
State television showed footage from the protests and said that "saboteurs and conspirators opened fire on residents and security forces".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. Fresh protests have also been reported in cities including Qamishli, Hasakhe, Idlib, Banyas and Homs.
Internet and mobile phone communications there have also been blocked. The town of Duma, near Damascus, has been sealed off, our correspondent adds, with internet and mobile phone communications blocked.
In northern cities with Kurdish majorities, protesters were reportedly chanting "we are calling for freedom and not only for citizenship" in response to President Assad granting citizenship for Kurds in Syria's eastern Hasaka region on Thursday.
Are you in Syria? Have you witnessed any of the protests? Send us your comments and experiences.Are you in Syria? Have you witnessed any of the protests? Send us your comments and experiences.
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