Syrian security forces on Friday killed at least 15 people and wounded dozens during the suppression of protests, which were dubbed "Friday of the legitimacy downfall". The protests were held in various cities and towns across Syria, including Damascus, Homs, Hama, Kisweh and Barzeh.
This coincided with the increased deployment of the Syrian army in the town of Khirbat al-Joz, close to the Turkish border.
Meanwhile, the leaders of the European Union on Friday issued a strongly worded condemnation to Damascus, saying the regime "put its legitimacy into question because of the suppression of protests." In their statement, EU leaders "condemned in the strongest terms the continuing repression and violence as shocking and unacceptable." The statement also expressed the EU concern of growing military operations close to the Turkish border.
