Syrian tanks bombed the old district of the southern city of Daraa of Saturday and stormed the main Omari Mosque, locals said. There are reports that at least six people were killed and 140 were wounded.
On its part, the Facebook group, The Syrian Revolution 2011, which has emerged as the organizing force behind the ongoing demonstrations pledged new protests across Syria starting Sunday at the start of what they called “the week of breaking the siege ” in solidarity with Daraa.
The Syrian army has besieged Daraa since Monday, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the town where there are huge shortages of water, food and medicine and baby milk. Snipers positioned on rooftops were targeting anyone leaving their homes, the group reported.
The group reported that 582 protesters have been killed by the Syrian security forces and the army since the uprising started on March 15. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 66 people were killed by security forces during massive protests across Syria on Friday, including 33 who died in Daraa alone and 539 have been killed since the uprising started last month.
On Friday at least 66 demonstrators, including 33 in Daraa, were killed during riots.
