/ 25 March 2011

South Syria burns

Syria faces its most serious unrest in the 11-year rule of President Basharal-Assad as protests continue across the south.

Several hundred demonstrators reportedly took to the streets on Tuesday in the city of Deraa in the fifth consecutive day of clashes. Unrest has spread to the nearby towns of Inkhil, Jasim and Nawa and rural areas around Damascus.

‘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.”

Last Friday security forces shot dead four people in Deraa and on Sunday they fired tear gas and live ammunition. One demonstrator was killed and scores were injured. An 11-year-old boy also died in hospital after inhaling tear gas, according to local human rights monitors.

Security forces have reportedly softened their tactics since, letting protests in smaller towns proceed, but have stepped up arrests. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said scores of those party to the protests had been detained. ‘Many bloggers, rights campaigners and journalists have been locked up,” said the activist in Damascus. The United States, United Nations and rights groups have condemned Syria’s reaction.

In Deraa buildings have been vandalised and the city has been cordoned off by troops. The government has blamed the unrest on saboteurs, from Israeli agents to Palestinian extremists and has claimed infiltrators dressed as high-ranking officials are giving permission to forces to shoot. It has also made concessions. Faisal Kalthoum, the governor of Deraa, has been dismissed and sources say Deraa’s head of political security has been transferred. — Guardian News & Media 2011

Katherine Marsh is the pseudonym of a journalist who lives in Damascus