Thousands Occupy Central Square in Syrian City

In New Clocktower Square in the Syrian city of Homs, over 10,000 people collected in protest during funeral processions for some of the 14 people reportedly killed a day earlier. The procession began peacefully with traditional prayers but clapping and chanting against Mr. Assad began to overpower. Security forces joined the crowd but had no effect on dispersing the large mass of people. The crowd was protesting the recent chain of violence over the weekend, the worst of it in Homs and Talbesa. As many as 20 people are believed to have died in Homs over the weekend. Security forces opened fire on a crowd of protesters with live ammunition and tear gas. In Talbesa, two died when security forces did the same on a funeral procession, killing two and leaving at least 15 wounded. "The protests on Sunday reflected not only a rejection of Mr. Assad’s reforms, which also included a pledge to tackle unemployment and corruption and a law to permit political parties, but a desire to move beyond a political life dominated by the Assad family." Read more

Posted by Christine Steinbeiss