Syria: More Than 30 Reported Killed

Hundreds of people have been reported killed in Syria during weeks of unrest.

More than 30 people have been reported shot dead by Syrian security forces.


The bloodshed came May 20 as Syrians held demonstrations across the country after Friday prayers in defiance of a military crackdown on protesters.


Activists said at least 12 people were killed in the town of Maaret al-Numan, while at least 11 others were reported killed in the central city of Homs.


The demonstrations included chants by protesters of "azadi," or freedom in Kurdish, in solidarity with Kurdish Syrians.


Human rights groups have said it is believed that more than 800 people have been killed and thousands of others arrested in the crackdown by security forces since protests against President Bashar al-Assad's regime began in March.


Syrian authorities have blamed most of the violence on armed groups, backed by Islamists and foreign powers, and say scores of soldiers and police have been killed.

compiled from agency reports


compiled from agency reports