Syrian city of Deraa hit by deadly clashes
Lina Sinjab on the reports of shootings at the protests in the Syrian city of Deraa
At least 23 protesters have been killed during anti-government rallies in the southern Syrian city of Deraa, witnesses have told the BBC.
There are also unconfirmed reports of deaths in Homs, Duma and Harasta, as protests swept the country.However, officials said only a member of the security forces and an ambulance worker in Deraa had been killed.
Deraa has been a focus of unrest since anti-government protests erupted across Syria in mid-March.
The protests have posed an unprecedented challenge to President Bashar al-Assad's 11-year rule. He has offered to consider reforms, but activists say his proposals do not go far enough.
Thousands are reported to have staged rallies following Friday prayers in Deraa.
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More protests and sit-ins are reported across the country with anger over the deaths in Deraa fuelling protesters.
There are concerns that the situation could get worse across the country.
Protesters' demands for more political freedom have not been met, and promises made by the leadership are regularly followed by security crackdowns and more killing.
There are concerns that the situation could get worse across the country.
Protesters' demands for more political freedom have not been met, and promises made by the leadership are regularly followed by security crackdowns and more killing.
Eyewitnesses said security forces had opened fire on crowds chanting pro-democracy slogans, the BBC's Lina Sinjab reports.
'Pools of blood' Another activist in Deraa told AFP news agency by telephone that demonstrators leaving from three mosques had marched to the city's main court but were confronted by "security forces dressed in civilian clothing" who fired tear gas to disperse them.He said clashes had erupted after protesters had thrown stones.
A resident quoted by Reuters reported seeing "pools of blood and three bodies" in the Mahatta area of Deraa.
Also in Deraa, protesters smashed a stone statue of Basil al-Assad - President Assad's late brother - Reuters reported, citing a witness.
Last month, protesters in Deraa tore down a statue of President Assad's father - former President Hafez al-Assad.
An office of the ruling Baath Party in the Mahatta area was attacked on set on fire, the witness added.
State television showed footage from the protests and said that "saboteurs and conspirators opened fire on residents and security forces".
Fresh protests have also been reported in cities including Qamishli, Hasakhe, Idlib, Banyas, Hama and Homs.
The town of Duma, near Damascus, has been sealed off, our correspondent adds, with internet and mobile phone communications blocked.
In Harasta, also on the outskirts of the capital, there are reports of gunfire and of tear gas being fired at protesters.
In northern cities with Kurdish majorities, protesters reportedly chanted "we are calling for freedom and not only for citizenship" in response to President Assad granting citizenship for Kurds in Syria's eastern Hasaka region on Thursday.
President Assad has offered to consider reforms, but activists say his proposals do not go far enough In Hama, security forces used water cannon and smoke bombs to break up a 2,000-strong protest in the old quarter of the city, Reuters reported, citing residents.
Activists estimate that more than 130 people have died in four weeks of clashes, mostly in Deraa and Latakia.
Officials say the death toll is nearer to 30 and they blame the violence on armed groups and foreigners seeking to divide the country.
Syria is one of several countries in the Middle East and North Africa to have been hit by a wave of pro-democracy protests following popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt that unseated long-standing autocratic rulers.
Are you in Syria? Have you witnessed any of the protests? Send us your comments and experiences.
