Syria: at least 70 dead as security forces fire on protesters
Security forces and gunmen loyal to President Bashar al-Assad shot dead at least 70 protesters in Syria on April 22, according to human rights organization Sawasiah. An official from Sawasiah, an independent organization founded by imprisoned attorney Mohannad al-Hassani, told Reuters the killings of civilians occurred the Damascus district of Barzeh, its suburbs Zamalka, Harasta, Douma, Muadamiya, Qaboun and Hajar al-Asswad, as well as in the cities of Hama, Latakia and Homs, and in the southern town of Izra'a. Thousands also took to the streets for Friday protests in Madaya, Duma, Ezraa, Hrak, Latakia, Hasakah, Baniyas and Aleppo. (Reuters, LAT, April 22)
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Syria: security forces fire on funerals
Syrian security forces opened fire on crowds gathered for funeral processions in several cities, killing more than 20, according to activists, bringing the two-day death toll to at least 95. Reports of the killings, including in the southern town of Izraa and the Damascus suburb of Douma, could not be independently confirmed because Syria has expelled foreign journalists. Two Syrian parliamentarians and the top cleric from the southern town of Daraa resigned in protest over the government's handling of the anti-regime protests. (WSJ, CBC, April 23)