Syrian activists say tens of thousands of protesters demanding an end to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad rallied in cities across Syria after Friday Prayers today.
Activists said security forces opened fire and used tear gas against protesters near the capital, Damascus. Rights activists said at least eight protesters were killed.
Two other protesters were reportedly killed in the central city of Homs.
In several parts of Syria, security forces reportedly had encircled mosques to prevent worshippers from joining protesters after prayers.
In recent days, security forces have intensified the crackdown on protesters, with scores of protesters reported killed in the central city of Hama, a protest hub.
Speaking on August 4 during a news conference with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged European and Arab states to do more to end the violence there.
"We've seen the Assad regime continue and intensify its violent assault against its own people this week," she said. "Sometimes you lose sight of the incredible tragedy unfolding on the streets by just looking at the numbers which are so numbing, but the shooting death of a one-year-old recently by the Syrian regime's tanks and troops is a very stark example of what is going on."
She also accused Assad's regime of killing more than 2,000 people.
The UN Security Council issued its first statement on Syria this week, condemning the crackdown and calling on those responsible to be held accountable.
compiled from agency reports
Activists said security forces opened fire and used tear gas against protesters near the capital, Damascus. Rights activists said at least eight protesters were killed.
Two other protesters were reportedly killed in the central city of Homs.
In several parts of Syria, security forces reportedly had encircled mosques to prevent worshippers from joining protesters after prayers.
In recent days, security forces have intensified the crackdown on protesters, with scores of protesters reported killed in the central city of Hama, a protest hub.
Speaking on August 4 during a news conference with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged European and Arab states to do more to end the violence there.
"We've seen the Assad regime continue and intensify its violent assault against its own people this week," she said. "Sometimes you lose sight of the incredible tragedy unfolding on the streets by just looking at the numbers which are so numbing, but the shooting death of a one-year-old recently by the Syrian regime's tanks and troops is a very stark example of what is going on."
She also accused Assad's regime of killing more than 2,000 people.
The UN Security Council issued its first statement on Syria this week, condemning the crackdown and calling on those responsible to be held accountable.
compiled from agency reports