The protesters took to the streets of the restive city of Daraa as well as other centres in the Kurdish-populated northwest, a day after embattled President Bashar al-Assad unveiled a new government.
Activists said up to 3,000 protesters marched to the centre of Daraa and more were on their way to the southern city, where security forces shot dead at least seven people last Friday. “Between 2,500 and 3,000 people showed up at Al-Saraya area in the centre of the city, chanting slogans in favour of freedom and against the hostile regime,” said an activist.
Security forces looked on as protesters chanted “Death rather than humiliation!” he said, adding that other demonstrators were “going to come from nearby villages.” Daraa has become the focal point of anti-government protests marred by deadly violence since the political unrest erupted in Syria a month ago.
Published 15 April 2011, 18:06 IST