Syria: 11 killed despite ceasefire

Anti-Assad demonstrations held all over country; Residents of Damascus suburbs say security forces invaded cities, arrested civilians

Roi Kais|Published: 04.13.12 , 20:54

Opposition sources said Syrian security forces killed 11 people on Friday, the second day of a nationwide ceasefire meant to open a path to peaceful political dialogue after 13 months of extreme violence.

Local activists said that so far the Syrian army has breached the truce 31 times.

Demonstrations titled "A revolution for all Syrians" were held all across the country, including no less than three rallies held against President Bashar Assad's regime in the capital Damascus.

Protesters waved signs saying the Assad regime was not committed to the ceasefire brokered by special UN envoy Kofi Annan.

Anti-Assad rally in Damascus

According to the opposition, civilians were killed in Idlib, Aleppo and Daraa, as well as in the outskirts of Damascus.

Residents of Damascus' suburbs said security forces loyal to Assad invaded a number of cities and arrested civilians. In Homs it was reported that the Syrian army was shelling the Al-Qarabis neighborhood and opened fire on protesters in the old city.

Fadi Yasin of Idlib told Al-Jazeera that a number of mass anti-Assad demonstrations were staged in the city after Friday prayers. He said security forces opened fire on the protesters, and criticized the international community for not intervening.

"We saw what happened when the Arab League monitors were sent here. The violence only increased. The international community has satellites and everything else that is required to understand what is happening here," he said.

"What do we need international monitors for?"

Meanwhile, Hezbollah's television station, Al-Manar, reported that the Syrian forces "will not withdraw from cities without guarantees from Annan that the countries which fund and arm the terror cells will stop doing so."