Syrian protests spread after troops kill at least five

Hundreds of Syrian protesters turn out in Deraa as anger at the heavy-handed tactics used by security forces intensifies

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Hundreds of protesters gather in the southern Syrian city of Deraa. Photograph: Khaled Al-Hariri/Reuters

Syria is facing the most serious unrest in the 11-year rule of President Bashar al-Assad as unprecedented protests continue across the south of the country.

SeveralSeveral hundred demonstrators reportedly took to the streets to call for freedom in the governorate of Deraa as protests there continued into their fifth consecutive day. Unrest has also spread to nearby towns including Inkhil, Jasim and Nawa as well as rural areas around Damascus, witnesses said. While the protesters have so far stopped short of calling for the overthrow of Assad, they are gaining momentum.

"The protests started in small numbers and with local grievances but have expanded as people have been killed," said an activist in Damascus, who asked for anonymity. "The use of force has made people angrier and encouraged large groups to turn out for the funerals."

At least five people have been killed in clashes since protests broke out. On Friday, forces shot four in the city of Deraa while on Sunday they fired teargas and live ammunition at protesters. One was killed and scores were injured. An 11-year-old boy also died in hospital after suffering teargas inhalation, according to local human rights monitors.

Security forces have reportedly toned down their heavy-handed tactics, allowing protests in smaller towns to proceed. But the Syrian regime has simultaneously stepped up arrests. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said scores of those involved in the protests had been detained. Activists have also been rounded up.

"Many bloggers, rights campaigners and journalists have been locked up," said the activist.

The US, UN and human rights groups have condemned Syria's reaction to the largely peaceful protests. In a statement, Amnesty International criticised the brutal response and called for an independent investigation. "The use of lethal force by the Syrian security forces against protesters who by all accounts were not putting other's lives at risk is totally unacceptable," the statement said. "People must be allowed to assemble and protest peacefully."

Deraa, where buildings have been torched and vandalised, has been cordoned off by Syrian troops. Identity cards are being checked and phone and internet connections have been interrupted.

In addition to cracking down, the government has responded by organising pro-Assad rallies and distributing propaganda. It has blamed the unrest on a range of saboteurs from Israeli agents to Palestinian extremists, and has claimed infiltrators dressed up as high-ranking officials are giving permission to forces to shoot.

It has also issued concessions going some way to meeting protesters' demands. Faisal Kalthoum, the governor of Deraa, has been dismissed. Sources told the Guardian that the head of political security in Deraa has also been transferred.

Unrest broke out in several cities across the country on Friday but has since concentrated in Deraa and the suroundingsed in Deraa and the surrounding countryside, which suffers from high levels of poverty.

Residents in the tribal area were upset by the regime's detention of 15 children for writing political graffiti. Local leaders have issued a list of demands, including the release of political prisoners from Deraa, an end to corruption and the ability to buy and sell property without permission – currently forbidden under emergency law.

If these demands are not met, analysts predict, the protests could escalate. "People's demands are growing. If numbers rise, we are concerned about the use of violence to quash them," said Mohammed al-Abdullah, a Syrian human rights activist exiled in the US.

Syria has been under emergency law since 1963. Its extensive security forces are known for keeping a tight grip on the country and reacting with force. In March 2004, at least 36 people, mainly Kurds, were killed during unrest in the north-east.

• Katherine Marsh is a pseudonym for a journalist who lives in Damascus


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