34 killed as army open fire on Syria protesters

Syrian security forces opened fire yesterday killing at least 34 people in a city where thousands died in a failed 1982 revolt against the regime.

President Bashar al-Assad's forces started shooting in Hama, during one of the largest anti-government protests so far in the ten-week uprising.

An eyewitness described a chaotic scene, with security forces firing tear gas and live ammunition, and snipers shooting from the rooftops as people fled.

"There are many killed and wounded people, the hospital is full," he said. "I fled the area but I can still hear sporadic gunfire."

Troops renewed their assault on towns seen as key to the demonstrations calling for an end to Assad's 40-year rule. The regime also cut internet service across most of the country.

The internet shutdown, if it continues, could also hamper the movement's ability to communicate to the outside world. The Syrian government has severely restricted the media and expelled foreign reporters, making it nearly impossible to independently verify what is happening there.

Rami Abdul-Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said tens of thousands of people were protesting in Hama when security forces opened fire.

Protesters also gathered in several Damascus suburbs, as well as the capital's central Midan neighbourhood, which has seen demonstrations in recent weeks.

Abdul-Rahman said security forces killed one person in the village of Has in the northern province of Idlib.

Another rights activist, Mustafa Osso said security forces shot dead three protesters in the north-eastern city of Deir el-Zour. State-run TV said five policemen were wounded there but did not say how.

"It is a real massacre. It is terrorism by itself and they want the people to stay silent," said an activist in Hama.

State-run TV said three "saboteurs" were killed when police tried to stop them from setting a government building on fire in Hama.

As the Friday prayers ended, worshippers left the mosques and marched in cities, towns and villages. Syrian security forces dispersed some, mostly using batons, tear gas and water cannons.

The Syrian government blames armed gangs and religious extremists for the violence.

In 1982, Assad's father and predecessor Hafez Assad, crushed a Sunni uprising by shelling Hama, killing 10,000 to 25,000 people, according to Amnesty International estimates.