Syrian citizens fleeing from violence. (AP)
Beirut:
A Syrian human rights group says Syrian security forces have killed at least 27 protesters during demonstrations across the country.
Friday's protests are the latest sign the conflict in Syria could be moving toward a long and bloody stalemate.
Security forces fired on demonstrations in several major cities and towns on Friday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the death toll has risen to 27.
Human rights groups say more than 850 people have been killed in the clashes and clampdowns since the uprising against President Bashar Assad began two months ago.
The clashes indicate neither side appears able to tip the scales in the two-month-long uprising. Assad's forces have waged a relentless crackdown on the Opposition, but protesters continue to face down security forces with marches seeking to break the Syrian leader's authoritarian rule.
Witnesses reported protests on Friday in the central cities of Homs and Hama; outside the capital of Damascus, and the Mediterranean ports of Banias and Latakia.
Like most witnesses contacted by The Associated Press, the residents asked that their names not be used in fear of reprisals from the government.
Last week, mass arrests and heavy security kept crowds below previous levels seen during the uprising, suggesting Assad's sweeping campaign of intimidation was working. But the marches Friday suggested that opposition forces could be trying to regroup.
Rami Abdul-Rahman, Director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Friday's protests were more widespread and larger than the previous week.
Friday's protests are the latest sign the conflict in Syria could be moving toward a long and bloody stalemate.
Security forces fired on demonstrations in several major cities and towns on Friday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the death toll has risen to 27.
Human rights groups say more than 850 people have been killed in the clashes and clampdowns since the uprising against President Bashar Assad began two months ago.
The clashes indicate neither side appears able to tip the scales in the two-month-long uprising. Assad's forces have waged a relentless crackdown on the Opposition, but protesters continue to face down security forces with marches seeking to break the Syrian leader's authoritarian rule.
Witnesses reported protests on Friday in the central cities of Homs and Hama; outside the capital of Damascus, and the Mediterranean ports of Banias and Latakia.
Like most witnesses contacted by The Associated Press, the residents asked that their names not be used in fear of reprisals from the government.
Last week, mass arrests and heavy security kept crowds below previous levels seen during the uprising, suggesting Assad's sweeping campaign of intimidation was working. But the marches Friday suggested that opposition forces could be trying to regroup.
Rami Abdul-Rahman, Director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Friday's protests were more widespread and larger than the previous week.
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